Little smiles deserve the best pediatric dentist. 

Pediatric dentistry is a valuable, rewarding field. Helping the littlest patients create a foundation of healthy dental habits is a great way to create a community full of bright smiles!

Are you currently preparing to set up your own pediatric dental office? If so, it helps to know what separates the best local practice from the rest. Today, we’re sharing 5 tips to help you create an environment that appeals to parents and children in your area. This way, it won’t take long for your team to become known as the best pediatric dentist around!

1. Consider your office design.

Healthcare offices have a reputation for being neutral, bare bones, and generic. This is the case for many dental offices, including those that cater to tiny smiles. 

You can distinguish your office by shaking up the status quo just a little. Don’t be afraid to decorate with bright, bold colors that appeal to the little ones who visit. You can even design around a certain theme, such as a jungle safari or an out-of-this-world space galaxy! This is a great, simple way to get kids excited about visiting your practice. When they know that an exciting new world awaits them from the moment they step inside, they’ll look forward to those routine cleanings!

2. Establish a warm, kid-friendly environment.

Put simply, everyone on your staff should conduct themselves in a calm, kid-friendly manner. This includes your front-desk workers to the dental hygienists and dentists. Anyone who works on a child’s teeth should have personality traits that help them appear trustworthy, reassuring, and genial.

It’s common for little ones to experience some anxiety, especially on their first few visits. If they’re greeted by happy, warm faces who speak to them in a gentle tone, this can do wonders to quell those fears and put them at ease.

3. Create mom-friendly content.

A child’s dental journey is of utmost importance to both parents, but arguably most care tasks go to mom. They watch those baby gums like a hawk and proudly snap 1000 pictures once the first tooth erupts. You can boost your outreach efforts by appealing to local moms. This is an exciting time, but it can also be overwhelming and unnerving, especially if an issue comes up and they’re not sure what to do or where to turn. 

Early on in your practice, share insights on important topics moms care about, such as:

• How to clean and care for baby teeth.
• When to schedule your baby’s first checkup.
• How to navigate breastfeeding and teething.
• What to do in a dental emergency.

These important tips can help establish your thought leadership in professional pediatric dentistry and lead parents to your office. 

4. Invest in continued education.

Do you plan to open a pediatric dental practice that offers services such as orthodontics or baby crowns? Usually, pediatric dentists will refer these services out, directing parents to other offices. This is usually a complicated, time-consuming, and expensive endeavor. If you can offer these services directly within your own office, it can be a major selling point and a huge relief for parents. 

Most parents prefer to keep everything under one familiar roof and see their pediatric dentist for the services they need. They’ve already established a relationship with your staff, so the fewer referrals, the better. 

To offer these services, your team members must be certified in the fields that you choose. This means you’ll need to invest in continuing education to help them develop skill sets beyond their current level. For instance, if you’re seeking to add orthodontics to your practice, there are many resources available to help you expand your technical and clinical knowledge through additional learning. Of course, we recommend our very own AOS courses, offered both in-person and online.

5. Build an online presence.

It’s 2021, and most businesses, across every industry, have some sort of online presence. If you want parents to find your office, it must be easy to find via a quick internet search. At the very basic level, your practice should have a Google My Business (GMB) profile. This is the quick-look page that comes up when someone searches for your business name on Google. Here, they can find key details such as your physical address, phone number, hours of operation, and more.

However, it’s best to also create an interactive, user-friendly website that clearly describes the services you provide and the experience of your staff members. You can also create a blog to share informative content and keep readers engaged. To stand out, make sure your website content is written for your practice, not copy-and-pasted from someone else’s website.

In addition to setting up a website, you should also open social media accounts to connect with your local community on an even wider level. Use these platforms to answer client questions, share helpful content, and promote upcoming events and activities at your office. 

Become the best pediatric dentist in town.

Whether you’re opening a new practice or you’ve been in business for years, it’s always smart to look for ways that you can expand your client list and appeal to your community. 

The journey to becoming the best pediatric dentist doesn’t happen overnight. Rather, it takes a dedicated commitment  from everyone on your team. By keeping your focus steady and pursuing excellence at every turn, you can set your office apart and achieve the recognition you deserve. An AOS membership can elevate your career and open new doors. Sign up today to gain access to course discounts, networking opportunities, industry subscriptions, and more!