PEDIATRIC DENTIST

 Welcome to Rebecca Lee’s pediatric dental practice! Your child’s smile is the reason we come to work each day. Our mission is to help your child achieve optimal oral health so that they have a reason to smile, both inside and out. As a pediatric dental practice, Dr. Rebecca Lee and her staff have extensive experience and specialty training in treating children from infancy through adolescence. We focus on the prevention of oral disease by educating and inspiring our patients and their families on the joys and benefits of having a healthy smile.  We recommend early and regular dental visits for children starting near their first birthday. In addition to teaching your child proper brushing and flossing habits, we emphasize the counseling of new parents on areas of oral hygiene, diet, and oral habits. When dental treatment is necessary, Dr. Rebecca and her team focus on providing personalized, high-quality dental care in a safe and positive environment, offering a comprehensive range of treatment options, including “happy air” and full sedation through IV anesthesia. They say, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Thank you for letting us be part of your family’s healthcare team!

The American Academy of   Pediatric Dentistry recommends a child visit the dentist for an initial oral evaluation within 6 months of the eruption of his/her first baby tooth and no later than their first birthday! Why the rush? With caries remaining one of the most prevalent diseases of childhood, pediatric dentists are not just focusing on treating existing cavities, but are emphasizing the importance of preventing the development of oral disease in children. Through family education on oral health and early identification of risk factors for developing oral disease, the benefits of establishing a healthy attitude towards oral hygiene will last your child a lifetime. Introducing children early on to regular dental visits will allow them to develop a long-term relationship with their dentist, making them feel comfortable and at ease in the dental chair (rather than anxious and fearful!!)  when restorative treatment is needed.

In order for us to focus on your child during his/her visit, please contact our office to receive our new patient packet so that you may bring the completed forms with you on your first visit. If you feel your child may need special care or extra time due to a previous experience or certain pre-existing conditions, please advise us ahead of the appointment. 

During your child’s first visit, we will perform a complete oral examination and provide age-appropriate education in oral health care. When necessary, a dental cleaning, x-rays, and fluoride treatment will also be completed. After reviewing our findings and recommendations with you in detail, we will offer an individualized comprehensive treatment plan and be available to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Please, however, be cautious of  “over-preparing” your child for their upcoming visit. Remember, one family member's own behavior or attitude can pre-condition your child's behavior, positively or negatively, at their first visit. While reading books about going to the dentist or “playing dentist” at home beforehand can be beneficial, keeping a RELAXED AND POSITIVE attitude helps the most. 

Visiting the dentist can be fun for children! A pleasant experience will help a child establish trust and confidence that will last a lifetime. For this reason, unless there is a dental emergency, we try to schedule simple procedures, like an exam and cleaning, for your child’s first visit to our office. Pediatric dentists and their staff have been specifically educated to help young, apprehensive children learn to enjoy going to see their dentist and taking care of their teeth and gums. 

While parents are welcome in the treatment rooms with their children, research has shown that children over the age of 4 often fare better on their own. Children younger than four years old, on the other hand, often benefit from having their parents stay with them. If you wish to accompany your older child during his/her treatment, we ask that you show your support silently, thus allowing   your child to focus his/her attention on communications with the dental team. We minimize any apprehensions or fears by actively involving your child in every step with a “Tell, Show, Do” approach, and you may reassure your child that Dr. Rebecca will explain everything to them.

A child’s anxiety (or lack of it) is most often the result of what their friends, siblings, or parents tell them. PLEASE DO NOT use loaded terms or phrases like: “Shot,” “It will only pinch a little,” “It’s not going to hurt,” etc.  Remember, telling a child who was not previously apprehensive that their appointment “will not hurt” or "only hurt a little" often only makes him/her begin to wonder, “Is this going to hurt?”

While it is true that baby teeth are eventually replaced by adult teeth, most children do not lose their last baby tooth until between the ages of 12-13 years old. Meanwhile, a small cavity that was once treatable with a simple filling can lead to a large, painful abscess if left untreated. An untreated cavity can infect adjacent teeth, cause damage to the developing permanent tooth underneath, contribute to the development of a malocclusion, and even cause life-threatening infections that can spread beyond the mouth! During your child’s first visit, we will perform a complete oral examination and provide age-appropriate education in oral health care. When necessary, a dental cleaning and x-rays will also be done. After reviewing our findings and recommendations with you, we will review your child’s individual comprehensive treatment plan in detail, and, depending on your child's age and the size and location of the cavity, we can work together to determine the best way to move forward for your child.

Appointments are made to reserve a specific amount of time in our schedule to provide your child with the quality care and attention he or she needs. We respect your time and make every effort to remain on schedule. If an appointment must be changed, we appreciate 24-hour notice so that another patient may be scheduled in your place. Broken appointments without sufficient notice (e.g., 24 hours) to the office may result in our inability to schedule your child for future appointments as well as a $50-$100 charge to your account, depending on the nature of the appointment. In situations where urgent treatment is needed because of a fractured or abscessed tooth, swelling, or other acute need, we are available for emergency appointments. During non-office hours, we can be reached through our emergency number, which is given on our answering service.

Payment of dental services are expected and required at the time of service. This will include insurance deductibles, co-payments, and any fees not covered by your insurance carrier. For your convenience, we accept cash, checks, and most major credit cards. If you have dental insurance, we will gladly submit your claim for you.

In order for us to best process your dental insurance claim, please have your insurance card or group number available. We ask that you read your own policy to be sure you are fully aware of any limitations of the benefits provided. Your policy may base its allowances on a fixed fee schedule that may or may not coincide with our usual fees. Definite financial arrangements must be made for any balance above the estimated insurance coverage before treatment is rendered.