How to Choose a Pediatric Dentist: 7 Things to Verify Before You Book

Medically reviewed by Dr. Yury Slepak, DDS, Diplomate, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry | 20+ Years Experience | Last Updated: May 2026

Quick answer: To choose a pediatric dentist, look for a board-certified pediatric specialist (a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry), confirm 2 to 3 years of post-dental-school residency in pediatrics, check that the office is set up for kids, ask about sedation and hospital options for special needs, read recent verified reviews, confirm your insurance is accepted, and visit the office for a meet-and-greet before booking treatment. The right pediatric dentist treats your child as a patient, not a small adult.

Choosing a pediatric dentist is one of the most important decisions a parent will make for their child’s long-term oral health. The right dentist sets the tone for how a child feels about dental visits for the next 20 years. The wrong fit can cause years of dental anxiety. This guide walks through the seven things to verify before you book that first appointment, plus the questions every parent should ask.

What Makes a Pediatric Dentist Different From a General Dentist?

A pediatric dentist completes 2 to 3 additional years of residency training after dental school, focused entirely on infants, children, teens, and patients with special needs. They learn how a child’s teeth, jaw, and behavior develop, how to manage anxiety in young patients, and how to handle the unique medical and developmental considerations that come up in pediatric care. A general or family dentist can treat children, but a board-certified pediatric specialist trained for years on exactly this population.

The credential to look for: “Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry” (ABPD). This certification means the dentist passed both a written and an oral examination through the ABPD and maintains continuing education in pediatric dentistry. Not every pediatric dentist is board-certified, so it is worth verifying.

The 7 Things to Check Before You Choose a Pediatric Dentist

1. Specialty Training and Board Certification

Confirm the dentist completed an accredited pediatric dentistry residency and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. The ABPD website (abpd.org) lets you look up any Diplomate by name. A second strong signal is membership in the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD).

2. The Office Is Built For Kids

A pediatric office should look and feel different from an adult dental office. Look for child-sized chairs, kid-friendly waiting areas, books or quiet activities, and a team that knows how to greet a 3-year-old. Some offices, including ours at Bite Squad Dental of NYC, lean into a theme (ours is an ocean and fish theme) so kids actually look forward to coming back.

3. Sedation and Special-Needs Options

Most pediatric visits do not need sedation, but you want an office that has options ready if your child has dental anxiety, is very young, has special needs, or needs a long procedure. Ask: Do you offer nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”)? Do you have hospital privileges if my child needs general anesthesia? Are you trained for autism, sensory, or medically complex care? An office that says “yes” to those questions has the depth to handle whatever comes up.

4. Recent Verified Reviews (Not Just the Star Rating)

A 5-star rating with 12 reviews tells you less than a 4.6-star rating with 2,000 reviews. Read the most recent reviews and look for specific stories: how the team handled a scared toddler, how a parent felt during a tough procedure, how they communicated about cost. Filter for the 1-star and 2-star reviews too. The pattern (or lack of one) is the real signal.

5. Insurance, Cost Transparency, and Payment Plans

Confirm your insurance is in-network before booking. If they are out-of-network, ask whether they will file claims for you and what your typical out-of-pocket would be for a routine visit. Reputable offices will quote you their fees clearly. If billing feels evasive on the phone, that is information.

6. The First-Visit Experience

A great pediatric office invites you to do a pre-treatment “happy visit” or meet-and-greet, especially for very young children. The first visit is more about familiarization than treatment. The American Academy of Pediatrics and AAPD both recommend a child’s first dental visit by their first birthday. If an office acts annoyed about a brief intro visit, it is a sign they are running an adult schedule, not a pediatric one.

7. Convenient Location and Hours

You will be visiting twice a year for routine care, plus any time something goes wrong. Look for an office near home, school, or daycare with hours that work around school days. Saturday and weekend hours are a strong plus for working parents. Drive time matters more than you think when your 4-year-old is having a meltdown about a wiggly tooth.

Questions to Ask on Your First Phone Call

• Are you a board-certified pediatric specialist (Diplomate of the ABPD)?
• Do you accept my insurance? Are you in-network?
• What is the earliest age you see patients? (AAPD recommends by age 1.)
• Do you offer pre-treatment meet-and-greet visits?
• Do you offer nitrous oxide, oral sedation, or general anesthesia?
• Do you have experience with children with autism, ADHD, or sensory needs?
• Do you have hospital privileges for cases that need them?
• What are your weekend and after-hours options?
• How do you communicate with parents during procedures?
• What does a typical first visit look like?

Red Flags to Watch For

• The dentist does not introduce themselves to your child or talk to them at eye level.
• You are pressured into expensive treatment on the first visit without time to consider it.
• The office cannot answer basic questions about training or credentials.
• Multiple recent reviews mention the same complaint (long waits, billing surprises, rough handling).
• The team seems impatient with your questions.
• The office does not offer radiograph (X-ray) safety information when asked.
• You feel rushed.

How Bite Squad Dental of NYC Compares Against These Criteria

If you are evaluating Bite Squad Dental specifically, here is how we measure up against this checklist:

• Specialty training: Lead dentist Dr. Yury Slepak is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry with 20+ years of experience. He completed his pediatric residency at Maimonides Medical Center and graduated with honors from NYU College of Dentistry.
• Office built for kids: Our office is themed with an ocean and fish design that kids actually enjoy. We have child-sized chairs, calming visuals, and a team trained to engage with young patients.
• Sedation and hospital options: We offer laughing gas in office and Dr. Slepak holds hospital privileges at three medical facilities for cases that need general anesthesia. See our hospital-grade pediatric sedation guide.
• Reviews: Over 2,050 five-star Google reviews with consistent themes of gentle care and clear communication.
• Insurance and cost: We accept major dental insurance plans and verify benefits before treatment.
• First-visit experience: We welcome first-visit and happy visits for infants and toddlers.
• Location and hours: 2464 Coney Island Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11223, with weekend availability for urgent care.

Pediatric Dentist Near You in Brooklyn, NY

Bite Squad Dental of NYC is at 2464 Coney Island Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11223 and serves families across Sheepshead Bay (11235), Brighton Beach, Coney Island, Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Midwood, Flatbush, Borough Park, Canarsie, and Bay Ridge. We see patients from infants up through teens, including children with special needs.

If you are searching for a “pediatric dentist near me”, “best pediatric dentist Brooklyn”, “kids dentist Brooklyn”, or “pediatric dentistry near me”, call 718-998-2424 or request an appointment online. We are happy to do a quick phone consult or schedule a meet-and-greet before any treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a pediatric dentist and a regular dentist? 

A pediatric dentist completes 2 to 3 years of additional residency after dental school focused on children, teens, and patients with special needs. A general or family dentist treats patients of all ages but does not have the same depth of pediatric-specific training. For more, read our guide on the difference between a pediatric dentist and a regular dentist.

At what age should my child first see a dentist? 

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatrics both recommend a first dental visit by your child’s first birthday or within six months of the first tooth coming in, whichever is sooner. See our guide on when your child should see the dentist for the first time.

How do I know if a pediatric dentist is good with anxious children? 

Look for explicit mention of behavior management training, ask about nitrous oxide and oral sedation options, and read reviews from parents whose children had anxiety or special needs. Bring your child for a meet-and-greet before any treatment to see how the team interacts with them.

Should I choose a pediatric dentist or a family dentist? 

For children under 6, children with special needs, children who require sedation, or children who have had a difficult dental experience, a board-certified pediatric specialist is usually the better fit. For older children with no anxiety and no special considerations, a family dentist can work well, especially if the whole family already goes there.

How can I check if a pediatric dentist is board-certified? 

Visit abpd.org and search the directory of Diplomates. You can search by name or location. The dentist’s own website should also state “Diplomate, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry” if they hold the credential.

Where can I find a pediatric dentist near me in Brooklyn? 

Bite Squad Dental of NYC at 2464 Coney Island Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11223 is a board-certified pediatric practice serving Sheepshead Bay, Brighton Beach, Coney Island, Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Midwood, Flatbush, Borough Park, Canarsie, and Bay Ridge. Call 718-998-2424 or book online.

Disclaimer

Medically reviewed by Dr. Yury Slepak, DDS. 

This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical concerns.