Q. Tell us about yourself and your practice.
A. After graduating from the Medical University of South Carolina School of Dentistry (MUSC) in 1996, I practiced general dentistry in the U.S. Navy for four years. Then I returned to MUSC to complete my two-year residency training in pediatric dentistry. After fulfilling my three-year naval obligation in Okinawa, Japan as a pediatric specialist, where I received the Thomas P. Carroll "Top Doc" award for clinical excellence, I decided to open my own pediatric dental office in the Renton Highlands in September 2005. Currently, I also volunteer my time working at the Odessa Brown dental clinic (an affiliate clinic of Seattle Children\'s Hospital) and I am also an affiliate faculty member of the University of Washington School of Dentistry.
I am certified as a Diplomat of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, and maintains a Fellow status with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Along with current memberships in the ADA, WSDA (Washington State Dental Association), and the Seattle-King County Dental Society. I am also a member of the ABCD (Access to Baby and Child Dentistry) and Give Kids a Smile Days Steering Committees, which are dedicated to early childhood caries (cavities) prevention. I was also elected the WSDA house and I am serving as a state delegate, representing Seattle - King County.
Myself and my wife have two young sons; and besides playing with their dog, the McDonald family enjoys all sorts of athletic activities, music, and art.
Q. Please explain the main services you offer.
A.
• Comprehensive Children\'s Dental Care: Interactive patient/parent dental treatment planning; Professional dental cleanings; Advanced diagnostic equipment; including digital radiography; Highest quality tooth-colored fillings; Care for special needs children; Infant oral health program
• Advanced Anesthetic and Sedation Procedures: Nitrous Oxide; Oral Conscious Sedation; In-Office General Anesthesia (Custom-designed pediatric operating room suite)
• Advanced Early Treatment Orthodontics and Interceptive Orthodontics: Advanced guidance of eruption techniques (Selective extraction of baby teeth to make room for adult teeth); Space maintenance/Arch preservation techniques; Early braces to straighten crowded or flared teeth; Correction of early dental and skeletal malocclusions
Q. Do you accept insurance? If yes, What types?
A. Yes, we accept most major insurances. Please feel free to call our office and our wonderful staff can assist you with your insurance questions.
Q. What payment options do you offer?
A. Payment for professional services is due at the time dental treatment is provided. Every effort will be made to provide a treatment plan which fits your timetable and budget, and gives your child the best possible care. We accept cash, personal checks, debit cards, Visa and MasterCard.
If we have received all of your insurance information on the day of the appointment, we will be happy to file your claim for you. It is important for you to be familiar with your insurance benefits, as we will collect from you the estimated amount that your insurance is not expected to pay.
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. Your insurance company is responsible for how its claims are handled or for what benefits they pay on a claim. We can only assist you in estimating your portion of the cost of treatment.
For more information about insurance, please visit our website at www.akidsplacedentistry.com
Q. What is the difference between a pediatric dentist and a family dentist?
A. Think of pediatric dentists as the pediatricians of the dental profession. Pediatric dentists receive special training to work on children. This special training can range from an additional 2 -3 years of school following a standard 4 year dental training program. Today’s recommendation is to choose a pediatric dentist at the same time you choose a pediatrician.
Q. When should parents take their children to have their first checkup?
A. Our office, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and the American Academy of Pediatricians, recommends that your child visit the dentist by his/her 1st birthday. Think of your child’s first visit as a well child checkup for your child’s teeth. You can make the first visit to the dentist enjoyable and positive. Your child should be informed of the visit and told that the dentist and their staff will explain all procedures and answer any questions. The less to-do concerning the visit, the better.
It is best if you refrain from using words around your child that might cause unnecessary fear, such as "needle", "shot", "pull", "drill" or "hurt". The office makes a practice of using words that convey the same message, but are pleasant and non-frightening to the child.
We invite you to stay with your child during routine exams and dental procedures. We believe that the parent provides the greatest comfort for the child. For the safety and privacy of all patients, other children who are not being treated should remain in the reception room with a supervising adult. We strive to make each and every visit to our office a fun
Q. What should be used to clean a baby\'s teeth?
A. Getting the bacteria off your baby’s teeth and gums is the primary goal. This can be accomplished with water or with an array of infant and toddler cleansing products currently out on the market. I along with my staff can help you choose the correct product based on your personal dietary philosophies.
Q. Are thumb sucking and pacifier habits harmful for a child\'s teeth?
A. Both the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatricians state that thumb sucking or a pacifier habit is a natural process for a child up to the age of about 3 years. The medical term is called Non-nutritive sucking. The longer the habit persists, the more irreversible effects you may see with the child’s dentition. I can help you determine if it’s the right time to treat your child’s natural habit.
Q. How often does a child need to see the pediatric dentist?
A. The general recommendation is every 6 months.
Q.What can parents do to protect their children\'s teeth during sporting events?
A. Mouth guards help prevent broken teeth and injuries to the lips, tongue, face or jaw. A properly fitted mouth guard will stay in place while your child is wearing it, making it easy for them to talk and breathe. I will be happy to discuss protection of your child’s dentition with the use of custom or store bought mouth guards. You can also visit our website to learn more about mouth guards.
Q.What should a parent do if their child falls and knocks out a permanent tooth?
A. The long term prognosis of an avulsed tooth (knocked out) is directly proportional to its extraoral drying time (the amount of time the tooth is out of the mouth). Therefore, it’s best to place the tooth immediately back into the tooth socket if possible. Find the tooth. Handle it by the crown, not by the root. Ensure that the tooth is clean prior to placing it back into the mouth. DO NOT clean with soap, scrub or handle the tooth unnecessarily. Gently rinse it. . Inspect the tooth for fractures. Have the patient hold the tooth in place by biting on a gauze once you’ve placed it into the socket. If you cannot reinsert the tooth or feel uncomfortable about reinserting the tooth, transport the tooth in a cup containing the patient’s saliva or milk. If the patient is old enough, the tooth may also be carried in the patient’s mouth (beside the cheek). The patient must see a dentist IMMEDIATELY! Time is a critical factor in saving the tooth.
Knocked Out Baby Tooth: Contact your pediatric dentist during business hours. This is not usually an emergency and in most cases no treatment is necessary.
Q. How can parents help prevent tooth decay?
A. Tooth decay in children is often times associated with a high frequency of exposure to sugars. This also includes natural sugars from milk and carbohydrates. Maintaining a low basic pH level in the mouth is the key. The natural bacteria in the mouth that causes caries will increase when the mouth has a higher acidity level. Water is a great anti-cavity food. Try to reduce your child’s frequent snacking. The more your child snacks throughout the day (frequency), the more frequent episodes of increased acidity your child has in the mouth. It is also important to maintain regular checkups with your dentist every 6 months. i along with my staff can assist you with diagnosing your child’s diet and create the appropriate treatment plan based on your family’s dietary philosophies.
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