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Find a dentist and make an appointment.

Finding the right Primary Dental Provider (PDP) is one of the most important decisions you’ll make about your child’s dental care. This is especially true if you require special accommodations because not all dental providers have the training or experience to be able to accommodate a patient with special needs. Pediatric dentists are often better equipped to deal with dental issues in children that require special needs because they have more experience.

PEDIATRIC DENTISTS

-Vs-
What’s the difference?

GENERAL DENTISTS

Pediatric dentists limit their practice to treating infants and children through adolescence only.
General dentists can treat people of all ages. They can treat children but do not have the additional training to receive the specialization in pediatric dentistry.
Pediatric dentists are required to complete special training in child development and psychology, special needs care and sedation.
General dentists training is focused on adult teeth rather than baby teeth and the dental needs of children.
Pediatric dentists are more equipped to treat children with special health care needs.
General dentists can treat children with special health care needs but lack the continuing education in pediatric dentistry.
Pediatric dentist’s office is more kid-friendly and fun with activities and games.
General dentist’s office is an adult-centered environment and typically without kid games and activities. This can be intimidating and scary to children.
Pediatric dentists use kid-friendly terminology and smaller tools.
General dentists may not carry child-sized tools.

Finding the right dentist is important.

It might take more than one visit to find the perfect dentist. You want to find someone you can trust. You want to be a collaborator in your dental care, participate in the decision-making, and become a partner in care.

PATIENTS ARE CARE PARTNERS

Your relationship with your child’s Primary Dental Provider should include the following components:

Partnership

Collaborate and participate in the decision making with your dentist when possible. Set goals and expectations for care together.

Communication

Speak up about your dental needs and preferences and ask questions.

Respect

Your values and priorities should be values and respected.

How to find a dental provider

1. Identify a provider in your network.

2. Ask around or research the provider online.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in every day activities, including medical services. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities on the basis of their disability in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance, including health programs and services. These statutes require medical care providers to make their services available in an accessible manner.

3. Pick a provider.

Call the providers office and ask the appropriate question to help you decide if the dentist is the right fit for you and/or your family. Keep the following in mind:

4. Give them a try.

This is a chance for you to meet the dentist and the office staff and asses the environment to see if it’s a good fit. For example, you can see how the dentist and the staff interact with your child and how your child responds. This is also a chance for you to ask additional questions. Keep in mind that you can change your dentist at any time. Sometimes it can take more than one visit to find the right dentist.

Make an appointment

When you are ready to make your dental appointment, makes sure you have your Medicaid Dental Plan identification card and be ready to explain what you need.

DID YOU KNOW?

As a parent or a legal guardian, you have a legal right to your child’s health records under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). You can see and receive copies upon request of the information in their medical or other health records or request this information to be transmitted to a designated entity or a person.

Each state has its own laws about how to make formal requests and how that request must be carried out. You'll most likely need to:

> Make the request in writing
> Give them time to comply