209 East Las Tunas Drive
San Gabriel, CA 91776
Inviting child friendly atmosphere with the modern technology that your family deserves
What is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist?
What is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist?
A dentist who graduates from a specialty program becomes a pediatric dentist. But not every pediatric dentist is board certified.
A pediatric dentist is eligible to become board certified through the voluntary examination process of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD). Involvement in the certification process is a demonstration of the pediatric dentist’s pursuit of continued proficiency and excellence. Simply put, similar to our medical doctors in specialities, a Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist Specialist, has voluntarily undergone a vigorous written and oral exam to further exemplify their dedication and knowledge in the field of pediatric dentistry.
The certification process involves a written Qualifying Examination and an Oral Clinical Examination covering all areas of information on which a pediatric dentist should be knowledgeable. Certification is awarded for a time-limited period and they must renew annually to maintain their board certified status.
Through this accomplishment, a pediatric dentist has earned the title of Diplomate of the American Board Pediatric Dentistry. Current Diplomates of The American Board of Pediatric Dentistry can be found on the Diplomate Roster.
At what age do you recommend a child first be seen by a dentist?
We recommend all children be seen by their 1st birthday. Their 1st birthday is filled with a lot of milestones and going to the pediatric dentist early can help encourage positive visits for the future, as well as reduce their risk of decay. Children are crawling and sometimes walking at this age. If there are any bumps or falls, we want to be there for you. Our job is to help keep your baby healthy and their little smiles sparkly.
​
This early visit is not only to examine the teeth, but it allows us to examine the entire mouth. Early signs of a cavity or decay can be seen by a well-trained pediatric dentist. This will allow preventive measures to be established early and give parents a chance to hopefully slow down and halt the progression of decay before a tooth will require a filling. If early signs of decay are seen, the pediatric dentist can prescribe treatments to help slow their progression. Parents are always surprised by how well they can see their baby's teeth and how many teeth are starting to sprout up!
​
As a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist, we follow the guidelines established by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, along with the American Academy of Pediatrics (your pediatrician), and recommend that all babies be seen when their first tooth comes in or no later than by their 1st birthday.
​
Baby's first year is full of milestones. We will be happy to celebrate their 1st dental visit with you!
When do you recommend fluoridated toothpaste?
Starting at birth, clean your baby’s gums with a soft infant toothbrush or cloth and water to remove excess food debris. This will also help them get acquainted with cleaning their mouth or oral cavity.
Young children should follow the advice of the pediatric dentist in regards to fluoridated vs non-fluoridated toothpaste. We will evaluate your child's teeth and risks of decay and make recommendations based on these findings.
Generally, parents can begin to use a very tiny smear of non-fluoride toothpaste to brush baby teeth twice daily with a soft, age-appropriate sized toothbrush. Our dentist will advise you when it is appropriate to begin fluoride toothpaste and when to start flossing.
As children grow, the amount of toothpaste may be increased to a small pea-size drop at the discretion of your dentist. All young children will need their parent's assistance in brushing until approximately 7-8 years of age. Children should be taught to spit out and not swallow after brushing.
​
Parents who have reservations with fluoride toothpaste should ask our dentist about other options. We respect parent's decision and will try to create a plan to help take care of your child.
What insurances do you accept?
Here at Village Pediatric Dentistry, we accept all PPO insurances. We also accept many "Covered California" plans or Obamacare dental insurance plans. We understand that finances are important for families, so we try our best to verify coverages based on the information your carrier provides us. Feel free to give us a call and we will be happy to help you!
The information we obtain is our best estimate given the information your insurance carrier provides us. Most insurance companies will only provide an estimate with the disclaimer that coverages are not guaranteed until the claim is submitted. One of the reasons this may be is that some employers may not allow benefits until an employee has been employed for 30 days. Parents will also need to contact insurances to add their baby as a dependent once they are born, but being sleep deprived, many parents forget to add their children to their dental insurance! Dental insurances typically cover most routine preventive care including cleanings and exams, even for babies.
We value our patients first. Therefore we do our best to work with our patient's family to ensure maximum coverage of your insurance benefits while helping to reduce your out of pocket costs.
Have a question we haven’t answered? Contact us.
FAQs
You’ve Got Questions - We’ve Got Answers
We understand that choosing a dentist can sometimes be a bit overwhelming. That’s why we want you to rest assured that you’ve chosen well. Below you’ll find answers to some of our family’s frequently asked questions. As a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist, we follow guidelines based on the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). Along with our pediatrician colleagues at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), we joined our knowledge to better serve families and their children for years to come. Please feel free to browse through the information below. We’ve been able to cover quite a few topics, but if there’s something we haven’t touched on, please don’t hesitate to ask.
​