1) Dr. Kindell, Will you please tell me a bit about yourself? ( How long have you been a dentist? Why did you become a dentist? Where is your office?) I graduated as a general dentist in 2004 and after practicing for several years I returned to school and graduated as a pediatric dentist in 2010. After growing up in a dental office (my mom worked as a dental assistant) I decided I wanted to be a pediatric dentist when I was in middle school. I loved dentistry and adored the pediatric patients much more than the adults. It was always my calling!
My current office is located in Okeechobee, FL at 2029 Hwy 441 N (863-357-7338) and we are currently adding a second location in Sebring, FL at 5606 US Hwy 27 N (863-382-0340)
2) What is the difference between a pediatric dentist and a family dentist? A family dentist and a pediatric dentist receive the same basic training with a bachelor’s degree and 4 years of dental school. A pediatric dentist receives an additional 2 years of training in a residency program with education centered on pediatric growth and development, behavior management techniques, multiple sedation modalities, interceptive orthodontics, pediatric special needs patients and other areas pertinent to a pediatric population.
3) At what age should I start taking my child to see a dentist? The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that every child have a dental home no later than one year of age. This allows the pediatric dentist to evaluate for oral diseases and conditions, develop a preventative dental health program based on a caries risk assessment, provide anticipatory guidance concerning growth and development, provide information for proper diet choices and prevention of dental disease and educate caregivers on dental trauma.
4) Once my child starts teething. How important is it to brush her teeth? Oral hygiene measures should be started NO later than the eruption of a child’s first tooth! Tooth-brushing should be done twice daily by a parent/caregiver with an appropriate amount of fluoride toothpaste (rice sized amount for children under 3 and a pea sized amount for children ages 3-6). Decay causing bacteria begin to colonized as soon as teeth erupt so the proper habits (oral hygiene and dietary) are essential in the prevention of decay.
5) My child is a thumb/finger sucker. Should I be concerned about her behavior? Thumb/finger sucking is a natural/necessary habit in very young children. However these habits apply forces to the teeth and boney structures of the mouth so it is important to wean infants from these habits prior to the development of malocclusions or skeletal abnormalities.
6) At what age should I teach my child to floss? Parents/caregivers should begin to floss a child’s teeth as soon as any of the teeth begin to contact each other (adjacent teeth are touching). Children do not have the dexterity to floss on their own at younger ages so they will need the assistance of an adult. A child’s ability to write in cursive is a good measure of their dexterity.
7) Do children with special needs have special dental needs? “Special needs” encompasses a wide range of physical, developmental, mental, sensory, behavioral, cognitive or emotional impairment or limiting condition that requires medical management, health care intervention, and/or use of specialized services or programs. Many of these conditions cause difficulty in performing daily oral hygiene routines, have specific manifestations in the head and face, or require the use of medications or diets that place a child at greater risk for decay/oral disease. Children with special needs should have a dental home where they can receive appropriate preventive and routine care. This provides an opportunity to develop preventative oral health practices specific for that child and reduce their risk for preventable disease.
8) Does your office offer special dental needs? Our offices are able to serve children with special needs. Dr. Kindell and her staff are trained to handle many of the barriers that children with special needs face and can assist both the families and children in developing better strategies for the prevention of oral disease. When a child has progressed beyond the need for prevention and oral disease/decay has started we can also provide plans for treatment including multiple forms of sedation if necessary. We strive to provide comprehensive treatment for all of our patients including those with special needs.
9) Is diet important to my child's dental health? How so?? A child’s diet is extremely important not only to their general health but also to their oral health. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends children 1-6 year of age consume no more than 4-6 ounces of juice a day from a cup (not a sippy cup or bottle) with a meal. Night time bottle feeding, frequent use of sippy cup, or the consumption of sugary snacks or drinks especially between meals severely increases a child’s risk of oral disease and decay.
10) What should I teach my child about oral health? Every child should be taught that oral health is vitally important to their overall health. Proper oral hygiene and diet should be an essential part of their everyday routine to help establish a lifetime of good habits
