Importance of Pediatric Dental Care in Infants, Children and Youth
Common Questions:
At what age should a child have their first dental appointment?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends all children have their first dental appointment between their first and second birthdays. Children should see a dentist twice a year, approximately once every six months.
When should a child start brushing their teeth?
A child’s caretaker can start brushing their teeth as soon as their firth tooth appears. A small amount of fluoride toothpaste can be used when brushing as teeth continue to come in. It is important to start caring for a baby’s teeth from the start due to bottle-use, pacifiers, thumb sucking, and sugar intake from juice.
How does dental care effect children’s overall health?
Even though children eventually lose all their baby teeth, it is still important to care for baby teeth before permanent ones grow in.
Not caring for baby teeth can lead to tooth decay, potentially causing problems with permanent teeth down the road. This includes pain from cavities and infections that can result in problems with eating, developing speaking skills, and everyday life. In addition, the CDC has found that children with poor oral health miss more school and have lower grades than children who do not. This can result from tooth pain causing a child to miss school for dental procedures, eventually taking a toll on their grades.
How can you help a child care for their teeth?
- Start practicing good oral hygiene habits as soon as possible.
- Prepare healthy, balanced meals with minimal sugar.
- Stay up to date with pediatric dental appointments to ensure any issues are prevented or caught before becoming too serious
- Set a good example by caring for your own dental hygiene.
Pediatric Dentists Accepting Various Iowa Medicaid Plans
All Smiles Pediatric Dental
Plans Accepted: Iowa Dental Wellness Plan Kids; Hawki
Address: 4090 Westown Pkwy., Suite B1, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Phone: 515-267-0737
Additional Languages: Spanish
Website: https://allsmilespediatricdental.com
Altoona Pediatric Dentistry
Plan Accepted: Iowa Dental Wellness Plan Kids
Address: 125 24th Street SE, Altoona, IA 50009
Phone: 515-967-9790
Additional Languages: Bosnian
Website: https://altoonapediatricdental.net
Plans Accepted: Iowa Dental Wellness Plan Kids; Hawki
Address: 800 E 1st Street, Suite 2800, Ankeny, IA 50021
Phone: 515-963-9600
Website: https://www.ankenychildrensdental.com
Ankeny Smiles
Plans Accepted: Iowa Dental Wellness Plan Kids, MCNA, Medicaid
225 SE Oralabor Rd Suite 3, Ankeny, IA 50021
Phone: (515) 630-1816
Website: https://ankenysmiles.org/index.html
Children’s Dental Center of Central Iowa
Plans Accepted: Iowa Dental Wellness Plan Kids; Hawki
Address: 2401 128th Street, Urbandale, IA 50323
Phone: 515-489-4603
Additional Languages: Spanish
Website: https://www.mykidsdentist.com/find-us/
Dental Connections Inc.
Plans Accepted: Iowa Dental Wellness Plan Kids; Hawki; MCNA Dental
Address: 1111 9th Street, Suite 190, Des Moines, IA 50314
(Office inside United Way Building)
Phone: 515-244-9136
Additional Languages: Spanish; Mandarin
Website: https://dentalconnectionsonline.com
Des Moines Children’s Dentistry- West Des Moines Location
Plan Accepted: Hawki
Address: 5950 Village View Dr., Suite 200, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Phone: 515-225-1677
Additional Languages: Spanish
Website: https://www.dsmpd.com/west-des-moines-office-tour
Des Moines Children’s Dentistry- Waukee Location
Plan Accepted: Hawki
Address: 2335 SE LA Grant Pkwy., Waukee, IA 50263
Phone: 515-225-1677
Additional Languages: Spanish
Website: https://www.dsmpd.com/waukee-office-tour
Des Moines Pediatric Dental Center
Plan Accepted: Hawki
Address: 4949 Westown Pkwy., Suite 150, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Phone: 515-375-5697
Website: https://iowapediatricdentalcenter.com/about-us/
Indianola Pediatric Dentistry
Plan Accepted: Iowa Dental Wellness Plan Kids
Address: 2001 N 6th Street, Indianola, IA 50125
Phone: 515-808-7000
Website: https://www.indianolapediatricdentistry.com
Jordan Creek Pediatric Dentistry
Plan Accepted: Hawki
Address: 1111 Jordan Creek Pkwy., West Des Moines, IA 50266
Phone: 515-222-1800
Website: https://www.jordancreekpediatricdentistry.com
Ocean Dental of Iowa PC
Plans Accepted: Iowa Dental Wellness Plan Kids; MCNA Dental
Address: 1345 E University Ave., Suite 302, Des Moines, IA 50316
Phone: 515-264-9022
Additional Languages: Spanish
Website: https://oceandental.net/locations/ia-des-moines/
Pediatric Dentistry of Central Iowa- Des Moines Location
Plan Accepted: Hawki
Address: 1000 73rd Street, Suite 10, Des Moines, IA 50265
Phone: 515-223-1298
Additional Languages: Spanish; Bosnian
Website: https://dentistryforkids.info/location-desmoines
Pediatric Dentistry of Central Iowa- Ankeny Location
Plan Accepted: Hawki
Address: 221 NW School Street, Ankeny, IA 50023
Phone: 515-964-3833
Additional Languages: Spanish; Bosnian
Website: https://dentistryforkids.info/location-ankeny
Pediatric Dentistry of Greater Des Moines
Plan Accepted: Hawki
Address: 7600 Fleur Dr., Des Moines, IA 50321
Phone: 515-650-4441
Website: https://www.drmollydentistry.com
Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics of Central Iowa
Plans Accepted: Iowa Dental Wellness Plan Kids; Hawki, MCNA Dental
Address: 8515 Douglas Ave., Suite 26, Des Moines, IA 50322
Phone: 515-325-8639
Website: https://www.dmkidsdds.com
Shadow Creek Pediatric Dentistry
Plan Accepted: Iowa Dental Wellness Plan Kids
Address: 822 NE Alices Rd., Waukee, IA 50263
Phone: 515-264-2772
Additional Languages: Spanish
Website: https://www.shadow-creek.com
Smiles in Motion
Plan Accepted: Iowa Dental Wellness Plan Kids
Address: 207 E Church Street, Suite 3, Marshalltown, IA 50158
Phone: 641-752-9550
Additional Languages: Spanish
Website: https://mtownsim.com
Southside Smiles Family Dentistry
Plan Accepted: MCNA Dental
Address: 3311 Southwest 9th Street, #200, Des Moines, IA 50315
Phone: 515-243-7641
Website: https://southside-smiles-family-dentistry.business.site
