Why Pediatric Dentistry?

Our Office is designed with your child in mind.

  • Pediatric Dentists dedicate an additional 2 years of Pediatric dental specialty training to better understand the behavior and needs of your child.
  • Parents are welcome to accompany their child as desired
  • We will not hold your child down or force treatment.
  • Sedation Dentistry available
  • Our large waiting room is comfortable and exciting for the whole family.
  • Your child will love watching television located above each dental chair with private headphones while we check their teeth.
  • Large Family friendly bathroom with child size potty, sink, and changing station for new moms as well as accommodations for adults.
  • Every child receives a book and a balloon every time they come into our office.
  • Our dental digital radiograph machine is designed to protect your child with very low exposure levels. The small plates are comfortable and small allowing us to get good examinations on kids much younger than you would expect.
  • To ensure the safety of your family our open office is monitored with a video security system designed to know where all children and staff are at all times.
  • We respect your time and work very hard to assure you are seen when you are scheduled.
  • We love kids and treat them as our own.

Can My Child Get White Crowns?

Yes! There are a variety of choices when it comes to restoring teeth. Our pediatric Dental office  prides ourselves on being at the cutting edge of technology. There are more options for parents and children today that were not available a few years ago. Powell Pediatric dentistry offers both tooth colored fillings and crowns. Whether in the front or the back of the mouth pediatric dental crowns do not have to be silver.

Powell Pediatric Dentistry offers everything from all Zirconia (tooth colored) crowns to the traditional Stainless Steel (silver). Each option will be presented to you as a parent so you can make the best decision for your child.

When Should I Take My Child To The Dentist?

No later than Age 1. The American Academy of Pediatrics  as well as the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends  that your child should have their first visit within 6 months of the first tooth erupting or no later than the first birthday, whichever comes first. When seen early your pediatric dentist can prevent dental problems and cavities before they ever occur.

What To Expect At My First Pediatric Dental Visit

You and your child will be welcomed to Powell Pediatric Dentistry by our friendly and caring staff. Your child’s teeth and gums will be thoroughly cleaned and receive an examination by a Pediatric Dentist. Based upon that exam, Your doctor will determine if dental x-rays are necessary. Most important of all, before you leave we will review with you how to clean and care for your child’s teeth.  Powell Pediatric Dentistry will also recommend dietary ways to avoid cavities. Our Goal is to keep your child cavity free for life!

Do I Stay With My Child During The Visit?

Powell Pediatric Dentistry invites you to stay with your child during the initial pediatric dental examination. During future appointments, we suggest you allow your child to accompany our staff through their pediatric dental experience on their own. This allows us to establish a closer rapport with your child, and allows us to open the lines of communication directly with them.

Our purpose is to gain your child’s confidence and overcome apprehension. However, if you choose, you may come with your child to the treatment room. For the safety and privacy of all pediatric dental patients, all children who are not being treated should remain in the reception room with a supervising adult.

How Are Pediatric Dental Appointments Scheduled?

Our Pediatric dental office attempts to schedule your children’s dental appointments at your convenience and when time is available. Preschool children should be seen in the morning because they are fresher and we can work more slowly with them for their comfort. School children with a lot of work to be done should be seen in the morning for the same reason. Pediatric dental appointments are an excused absence. Missing school can be kept to a minimum when regular pediatric dental care is continued.

Since appointed times are reserved exclusively for each patient we ask that you please notify our office 24 hours in advance of your scheduled pediatric dental appointment time if you are unable to keep your dental appointment. Another pediatric dental patient, who needs our care, could be scheduled if we have sufficient time to notify them. We realize that unexpected things can happen, but we ask for your assistance in this regard.

Why Fix Baby Teeth?

Baby teeth are just as important as your permanent teeth. Baby teeth or primary teeth are used for chewing, speech, aligning the permanent teeth, and are important in the appearance of the face. Decay in baby teeth can damage permanent teeth and cause significant orthodontic problems in the future. If you have any dental concerns about stain or holes in your child’s teeth do not hesitate to call your children’s dentist at 299-3949.  Powell Pediatric Dentistry sees kids as early as a few days old. It is never too early to bring your child in.

Does My Child Need Fluoride?

Fluoride is proven to be one of the most effective means of preventing dental cavities. Many locations in Fresno County have fluoridated water. However if you exclusively drink bottled or filtered water, have well water or live in some Clovis areas we encourage you to discuss your child’s fluoride needs with your pediatric dentist.

Can You Do Everything In One Visit?

Powell Pediatric Dentistry prides ourselves in being respectful of your time and moving at a pace that is comfortable for your child. We allot for time in the schedule to answer all your pediatric dental and financial questions. If we are running behind schedule, we apologize ahead of time, but we will always take the time to meet both you and your child’s needs.

Following the dental examination your pediatric dentist and the pediatric dental staff at Powell Pediatric Dentistry will discuss necessary treatment, the fee, and the scheduling of future appointments. As a courtesy, Powell Pediatric Dentistry will work to maximize your insurance benefits and help file the dental insurance claim.

Do You Bill My Dental Insurance?

If we have received all of your dental insurance information on the day of the appointment, we will be happy to file your claim for you. You must be familiar with your dental insurance benefits, as we will collect from you the estimated amount dental insurance is not expected to pay.

By law your insurance company is required to pay each claim within 30 days of receipt. We file all dental insurance electronically, so your insurance company will receive each claim within days of the pediatric dental treatment. You are responsible for any balance on your account after 30 days, whether the dental insurance has paid or not. If you have not paid your balance within 60 days a re-billing fee of 1.5% will be added to your account each month until paid. We will be glad to send a refund to you if your dental insurance pays us.

PLEASE UNDERSTAND that we file dental insurance as a courtesy to our patients. We do not have a contract with your insurance company, only you do.

We are not responsible for how your insurance company handles its claims or for what dental benefits they pay on a claim. We can only assist you in estimating your portion of the cost of pediatric dental treatment. We at no time guarantee what your dental insurance will or will not do with each claim. We also can not be responsible for any errors in filing your insurance. Once again, we file dental claims as a courtesy to you.

Do You Take My Dental Insurance?

Here at Powell Pediatric Dentistry most dental insurance plans are accepted. Please call our pediatric dental office at 299-3949 if you have questions about your dental insurance coverage. Our dental insurance specialists are happy and eager to assist you.

How Much Is A Visit?

Most dental insurance companies pay 100% of preventative dental care for children with no out of pocket expense to you. This typically includes your child’s routine dental check up twice a year. If you have questions about your dental insurance coverage contact our pediatric dental financial specialist Jerrilynn  at 299.3949. If you do not have dental insurance we offer a discount for cash to private paying families. Please contact our office at 299-3949 for detailed pricing.