Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric Dentistry and your 1st Dental Visit

As recommended by the Canadian Pediatric Society, Canadian Dental Association, and the Canadian Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, children should have their first check up 6 months after their first tooth erupts or by their first birthday. Establishing a “dental home” for children at an early age helps to identify early signs of dental decay and prevent dental disease from occurring. Dental decay is one of the most common infectious diseases in children today. At Parks West Dental, we believe and advocate for early relationships with children. Establishing a relationship early, eases fear and anxiety that can set in during adolescence or into adulthood.

At Parks West Dental, we consider the 1st dental visit with your child, a “Smiley Visit”. This takes away any apprehension they may have previously experienced. We take time to speak slowly and gently, showing them instruments, cameras, lights, and tools that are familiar with a dental check up and cleaning. We allow them to have some control over the appointment based on their unique comfort level. If we can provide a chair ride and have a look into their mouth on the first visit, we are happy to achieve that success. We are advocates of dental disease prevention and empower parents with the tools to do this by teaching them about prevention at all oral hygiene visits, particularly during the first visit.

Dental cavities (caries) in children is the most prevalent disease of childhood, occurring 5 to 8 times more frequently than asthma! National surveys report that 41 % of children 2 to 11 years of age had cavities in their baby teeth and 42 % of children 6 to 19 years of age had cavities in their permanent teeth.

Parks West Dental is a please to offer pediatric dentistry in Hinton and surrounding communities. With all childhood caries, it is important to have your child’s treatment taken care of as quickly as possible. Our staff will guide you, taking into consideration your child’s unique treatment plan and case, to determine what direction they recommended treatment. If it is within your child comfort level, we will do all their treatment in our clinic operatories.

Depending on a child’s age, level of cooperation and dental condition, general anesthesia may be recommended to deliver treatment in a safe and comfortable manner. General anesthesia is recognized as a safe and effective way to treat children who have limited comprehension or those that are uncooperative and require dental care that is technically difficult to deliver. General anesthesia is administered via inhalation and/or intravenously by a certified Medical Physician Anesthesiologist. All necessary precautions are taken to protect the patient during general anesthesia. All members of the medical anesthesia team are trained to monitor your child closely and manage any potential complications that may arise. Risks, benefits and alternatives to treatment are discussed prior to treatment at your child’s consultation visit.
Parks West Dental and Dr. Hergot, are privileged to have reserved operating rooms at the Hinton Health Care Center on an on-going and monthly bases. Our staff will work quickly to ensure your child’s appointment goes as smoothly as possible and will answer any questions you have. There is no additional costs to have your child’s treatment done in the hospital.

Don’t wait, call Parks West Dental today and book your child’s 1st dental exam and cleaning.

Accepting new patients and families.

We follow the provincial fee guide as recommended