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Ray L. Pollock, D.D.S is the owner of Melbourne and Palm Bay, Florida’s Ray L. Pollock & Associates, D.D.S, P.A.
Pediatric dentist Ray L. Pollock, D.D.S. and his fellow doctors at Ray L. Pollock & Associates, D.D.S., P.A. focus on the highly specialized dental care required to treat children. Caries, or dental cavities, are the most common childhood disease, and combating them can often require consultation regarding diet and hygiene that pediatric dentists are specifically trained to provide. Moreover, a healthy set of teeth is vital to the development of a child’s entire facial bone structure. As a pediatric dentist, Dr. Ray L. Pollock is able to offer invaluable insight into children’s dental needs, furnishing treatment and recommendations that will set them on the path to a lifetime of good dental and overall health. The Consumer Guide to Dentistry suggests that all parents bring their children to a pediatric dentist by age one to establish a long-term dental hygiene plan. Dr. Pollock prefers to start children as new patients at age three, since children are most cooperative at that time. However, Dr. Pollock will see any child under age three in an emergency or on a consolation basis. Parents are encouraged to call the office if they have any questions about their infant’s or toddler’s dental developments or needs. Even a child’s first tooth requires cleaning, and a pediatric dentist like Dr. Ray L. Pollock can assess a child’s fluoride needs, preventing conditions including tooth decay. In addition, Dr. Pollock and the staff at Ray L. Pollock & Associates D.D.S., P.A. are highly skilled at making children feel comfortable and safe during their dental visits and are mindful of their special medical needs. Dr. Ray L. Pollock has encountered noteworthy success using tell-show-do techniques to ease children’s fears during dental visits. Raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Ray L. Pollock D.D.S. attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, as an undergraduate. Ray L. Pollock completed his initial dental training at Case Western Reserve University before receiving his certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from the Medical University of South Carolina. To stay abreast of the latest developments in his field and connect with other specialists, Ray L. Pollock D.D.S. belongs to the American Dental Association, the Florida Dental Association, and several other professional groups. Ray L. Pollock, D.D.S. is the fluoridation representative for the Brevard County Dental Society. To obtain further information about the importance of Pediatric Dentistry as a field, visit the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry at www.aapd.org.
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What is Pediatric Dentistry?, Dr. Ray Pollock
March, 2011
by Dr. Ray Pollock
Ray L. Pollock & Associates, D.D.S., P.A. has earned a reputation as one of the premier pediatric dental practices in Central Florida. Many parents ask why they should take their child to a pediatric dentist instead of a general dentist. The reason is that pediatric dentistry (sometimes called pedodontics) is a very different discipline, offering a host of unique advantages. Pediatric dentists graduate at the top of their dental classes and then undergo extensive, additional postgraduate studies. After two or three years of pediatric training, dentists are eligible to take the board examination with the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, after which they become certified. In addition to passing the pediatric board exam, however, many states also require dentists to acquire a special permit before they can practice pediatric dentistry or advertise themselves as pediatric dentists. Physically, children’s teeth and mouths are different from those of adults, and consequently, pediatric dentists develop advanced skills that standard dentists do not. For example, pediatric dentists have specialized knowledge about how to treat and care for primary (baby) teeth. Pediatric dentists provide treatment that ensures children will be able to chew properly and take in adequate nutrition, and they also monitor the structures of the mouth to prevent the development of speech impediments. In addition, pediatric dentists ensure that permanent teeth have the proper space to grow and develop. For older children or teenagers, pediatric dentists consider the self-image of the patient alongside oral health, providing treatment that will lead to good teeth while minimizing emotional trauma during this vulnerable phase. Pediatric dentists also play an educational role, helping patients to make informed decisions on topics such as lip or tongue piercings, tobacco, and other activities that can affect the teeth and mouth. Psychology plays a major role in pediatric dentistry. From office design to communication techniques and anxiety-reduction strategies, pediatric dentists employ a variety of tools to make sure children of all ages are as comfortable as possible. Pediatric dentists have extensive experience working with children of all temperaments and have a chairside manner that young people find disarming and calming. For more information or to book an appointment with Dr. Ray Pollock, visit www.raylpollockandassociates.com.
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