Pediatric dentist

[Anonymous]

My daughter is now 2 and needs to go for her first dental check-up. It seems her teeth have an "interesting growth pattern" according to her pediatrician, and it is likely she'll need x-rays, etc. Drs. Nelson and Gonzalez were highly recommended to me, but they aren't on our plan. I'm considering just going off plan and paying, even though it would be a stretch for us with a second baby coming soon. But, I just wanted to see if I could get any feedback on any of the following dentists who are on our plan first:

1. Arlington Pediatric Dentistry
2. Arlington Center for Dentistry
3. Dr. Chi-Yi Lin and Dr. Jason Favagehi
4. Dr. Nadgie Ortiz Diaz and Dr. James Snyder

Anyone have good or bad experiences to share about any of them?

[Anonymous]

I don't know the answer you're looking for, (with respect to those doctors) but I will say that I am also going out of network (therefore out of pocket) for the right dentist. I think it's one thing for an older child or an adult to go to an "okay" dentist, but pediatric dentistry seems to be an art as much as a science to me. I'm going to take my son (18 months - has 2 cavities I think - YIKES!) Dr. Alan Kuwabara after high recommendations on how gentle he is with toddlers. Ped Dentists can have really different styles. Some won't let mom be back there with them. Not so Dr. Alan, who apparently lets mom hold the child, is super gentle, etc. I think he sounds really great. I havent been there yet but would be happy to update you afterwards if you'd like. That said, it sounds like you're looking in Nova, and he's in Chevy Chase I think.

In any case, it's the kind of thing that going out of network for seems well worth it, to get the right dentist for such a young kid. I think our procedures are going to be 200 bucks a tooth, which is not exactly cheap, but probably less than what you're dealing with.

Good luck to you!

PS one last thought, is that the "right" dentist will not do work that is not necessary. So you may end up paying less in the long run even if you do go out of network, than you would with someone else.

[Anonymous]

OP here, thanks for the feedback, PP. I arrived at the same conclusion today after mulling over this. It's so worth it to go to someone who is so highly recommended, especially since the person who recommended Dr. Gonzalez to me is family and also a dentist herself. She couldn't rave enough about her, and the reviews I've seen on DCUM have been equally encouraging. Luckily we have put lots of money in our FSA account this year, so we can at least pay pre-tax.