Couldn't agree more—word-of-mouth is gold. I'd also suggest scheduling a quick meet-and-greet before the first real appointment. Gives your kid a chance to warm up and you can see firsthand if it's a good fit...usually makes things smoother later on.
Good point about the meet-and-greet. Wish I'd thought of that before our first visit—my son practically climbed me like a tree when the dentist came in with the mask and gloves 😂. Honestly though, word-of-mouth was a lifesaver for us too. I asked around at daycare and found someone patient enough to handle my little guy's theatrics. Lesson learned... next time, definitely scheduling that casual intro first.
Haha, your son climbing you like a tree sounds exactly like my daughter during her first dentist visit. I totally agree about the casual intro—wish I'd known that earlier too. We ended up switching dentists after our first experience because the initial one was a bit rushed and didn't really explain things clearly. Asking around definitely helped us find someone more patient and willing to answer my endless questions. Glad you found someone good through daycare... sometimes other parents really do know best.
We had a similar experience—our first dentist barely explained anything and seemed annoyed by my questions, which made me even more anxious. Definitely agree that recommendations from other parents help... we're currently looking around for someone more patient and reassuring. Fingers crossed we find someone soon.
Totally relate to this. We went through two dentists before finding one who actually took the time to chat with my grandson and explain things in a kid-friendly way. Honestly, sometimes it's not even about credentials or fancy offices—it's about someone who genuinely enjoys working with kids and has patience. I'd suggest checking out smaller practices too; we've found they often have a warmer, more personal touch. Hope you find someone great soon... makes such a difference for the kiddos (and us grandparents too!).
