Encouraging the Dental Home

Many general dentists do not feel comfortable seeing very young children. They are concerned that the child will exhibit noisy and disruptive behavior (although the behavior may be age appropriate for the child in an unfamiliar environment) and cause distress to other patients in the office and to the dental team. If dental team members are afraid of a little noise and a few tears, this can be an issue that would need to be addressed. But, the ends are worth the effort! Indeed, seeing young children fulfills family dentists’ ethical obligation to their patients. And, as an added benefit, the policy change may attract new patients to the practice from either the family or from friends of the family.