Emergency Pediatric Dentist — Duncanville, TX
Emergency Care Right When You Need It
Despite your best efforts, kids can (and often will) have accidents – dental emergencies included. They may trip over themselves and chip a tooth or have teeth knocked out while playing sports. You should quickly call our office in such cases; Dr. Barefield will get your child’s smile fixed in no time. After all, our team has decades of experience treating all sorts of urgent oral issues. Simply keep reading to learn more about emergency kids dentistry in Duncanville or book a same-day visit.
Why Choose Us for Children’s Emergency Dental Care?
- Same-Day Appointments Available
- Team Led by Multiple Certified Pediatric Dentists
- Experienced & Friendly Staff
How We Treat Dental Emergencies
Even if your child is facing their first dental emergency, don’t get too worked up. Our office will gladly give you a rundown of how the treatment process works. That way, you and your little one will know what to expect from care.
To be more specific, here are four things that’ll happen at your child’s dental emergency visit:
- A Same-Day Appointment – Once you call our office, we’ll book your child for the earliest appointment possible. Our staff can also provide you with first-aid tips over the phone. By using them, you can manage the issue while your youngster waits.
- An Emergency Exam – Your child will receive an emergency oral exam when they first arrive at our office. This measure helps us learn the source and extent of their problem. Plus, it confirms the best way to relieve your kiddo’s pain.
- A Findings Review – After the oral exam, Dr. Barefield will share her initial findings with you. She’ll then suggest potential procedures for your child. Our team will use your feedback to draft a proper treatment plan. (Never fear, we’ll outline the estimated costs and timeline before you commit to anything.)
- Crucial Dental Care – Dr. Barefield and our team will fix your child’s oral problem based on the drafted treatment plan. That much is natural – our office holds a great deal of skill and expertise. We’ll get your little one’s smile back on track, whether they need a filling, dental crown, pulp therapy, or something else.
The Most Common Pediatric Dental Emergencies
Whether your child is dealing with a toothache or some type of dental injury, the best thing to do is try to remain calm and give our dental office a call right away. Our team will walk you through how to handle the situation over the phone and schedule an appointment to see you as soon as possible. If you’re unable to head straight to our dental office for any reason, be sure to follow these first-aid tips:
Understanding the Cost of Pediatric Dental Emergencies
Due to how they vary, dental emergencies don’t have one set price. You’ll need to consult Dr. Barefield for a precise estimate of your child’s treatment. From there, we’ll do everything possible to make care more affordable. That means our team will walk you through treatment’s pricing factors and maximize your dental plan’s benefits. We’ll also explain our practice’s other payment options, including some low-interest financing plans. This guidance should make treating your child’s urgent problem much more budget-friendly.
Your Child’s Dental Emergency is Unique
Visiting a dentist for an emergency is actually more affordable than you’d think. When you bring your child in to treat their urgent dental issue, one of our pediatric dentists will assess their needs and determine which treatment will best resolve their dental emergency. Until we know what treatment needs to be completed, we won’t be able to confirm the exact cost of your child’s emergency care. With that said, the most common treatments we perform that work to address problems related to dental emergencies include the following:
- Dental crowns
- Space maintainers
- Pulp therapy
- Tooth removal
No matter what treatment your child needs, we’ll always explain our findings in great detail so you know what your costs will be beforehand.
How to Save Money on Emergency Dental Costs
It’s true that you can’t predict 100% of all dental emergencies, especially when they are happening to someone else like your child. However, our dentists believe that most dental emergencies are in fact preventable considering they usually occur due to unchecked infections, decay, and damage. By staying on top of regular dental appointments and keeping up with at-home brushing and flossing, you could save a lot of money on future emergency visits.
The moment your child tells you about a problem related to their smile or you feel that something is not quite right, give us a call right away. Putting off care for them will only increase the chances of them needing more expensive treatment later.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
In most cases, the majority of dental insurance plans offer some level of coverage for emergencies. However, this is usually reserved for yearly emergency exams, which are often covered 100%. Additionally, services that do receive coverage only do so partially. For example, pulp therapy and tooth removal are covered anywhere between 80% and 50%, but this varies depending on the plan. Keep in mind that yearly maximums can also come into effect, so remember to confirm your benefits with your insurance company before committing to any particular treatment.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
Even if you don’t have dental insurance, you shouldn’t put off dental care for your child. We recognize that paying for care can be difficult on a family budget, which is why we also offer CareCredit financing to make it easier to cover monthly installments on dental treatments. In many cases, these payment plans come with little to zero interest attached, making them even easier to afford. We also accept some HMOs if you have one to use and Medicaid for those in lower income brackets.
Barefield Pediatric Dentistry is always prepared to assist patients and their parents when a dental emergency strikes. No one should have to navigate the costs of dental care alone, so don’t wait to give us a call to treat your child’s dental emergency and figure out a payment plan that fits into your budget.
Keys to Preventing Pediatric Dental Emergencies
Of course, preventing a dental emergency is superior to managing one after the fact. The first option saves you time and money and spares you a lot of hassle. Thankfully, you can take steps to reduce your child’s risk of dental emergencies with the following best practices:
See a Pediatric Dentist Often
Simply put, your youngster should attend dental checkups and cleanings about every six months. That way, we have the opportunity to diagnose and treat any small oral issues before things get worse. Plus, we can conduct a gentle (but thorough) cleaning to ensure the hard-to-reach areas of their mouth are cleaned and that plaque and tartar are removed before they create problems.
Tip: Schedule their appointments over winter and summer break since their schedule is more flexible!
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Did you know that oral care begins before your child’s first tooth even emerges? It’s true! We recommend using a damp, clean washcloth to wipe their gums throughout the day. Then, start brushing their teeth as soon as they break through the gumline, and begin flossing as soon as they have two teeth that touch.
Tip: Make dental care fun by buying themed oral hygiene products or playing music!
Keep Added Sugar to a Minimum
Like most kids, your child might love all things sugar. Unfortunately, however, added sugar is one of the leading causes of tooth decay. For that reason, we recommend keeping foods and drinks that contain it to a minimum. Instead, do your best to fill their plates with nutrient-dense options that will aid their growing smiles!
Tip: If your child has a sweet tooth, offer them fresh fruit!
Use a Mouthguard
Does your child play soccer or frisbee with their friends after school? Do they play football or baseball on their school’s team? Either way, you’ll want to ensure their smile stays safe from injuries. One of the best ways to protect their teeth and gums from harm is by having them wear a mouthguard during practices and games.
Tip: If they don’t have a mouthguard already, reach out to us – we can have a custom one made!
Avoid Bad Oral Habits
Finally, it’s important that your child doesn’t adopt any bad oral habits. After all, biting their nails, chewing on ice cubes, and using their teeth as tools to open things make dental emergencies more likely! If you see these behaviors develop, explain why it’s important that they stop and offer an alternative, like squeezing a stress ball.
Tip: If you are ever stumped regarding something related to your child’s oral health, ask their pediatric dentist for their recommendations and insight!
More to Explore
Preventive Dentistry Restorative Dentistry Sedation Dentistry Special Needs Dentistry View Our Services