"I'd also check their experience, credentials, and reviews carefully—just to ease my anxiety a bit..."
I get what you're saying, but do you think reviews always give the full picture? I've seen dentists with amazing reviews who turned out to be pretty rushed or impersonal in person. Maybe attitude and bedside manner matter more than we think, especially for kids who might be nervous? Credentials are important, sure, but how do you really gauge if someone will click with your kid just from their resume or online ratings...?
You're spot on about reviews—they can be helpful, but they're definitely not the whole story. I've noticed that sometimes the dentists who look great on paper can be a bit clinical or rushed in person. It's tricky because credentials and experience matter, of course, but rapport with kids is a whole different ballgame. Honestly, my best advice is to schedule a quick meet-and-greet or consultation first...you'll get a feel pretty quickly if their personality meshes well with your child.
Totally agree with the meet-and-greet idea, it's a lifesaver. My kiddo is super shy, and we had a dentist who looked amazing online but was pretty intimidating in person...made things harder. Definitely trust your gut feeling after meeting them face-to-face.
Yeah, the meet-and-greet is a great tip. I've seen kiddos totally open up after meeting the dentist casually first. And honestly, some dentists are just better with kids than others...trusting your gut is spot-on advice. Glad you found someone who clicks better with your little one!
Haha, totally agree on trusting your gut—sometimes you just know, right? We lucked out with a dentist who has cartoons playing on the ceiling...genius distraction. Curious, does anyone else's dentist use fun tricks or gadgets to make visits easier?
