Our office, as well as the The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Dental Association (ADA), and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) all recommend establishing a "Dental Home" for your child by one year of age. Children who have a dental home are more likely to receive appropriate preventive and routine oral health care.
Preparation for the Dental Appointment
At Dr. Duga, Dr. Feeney and Associates, we believe that both you and your child having a positive frame of mind coming into our offices can greatly impact the outcome of your child’s appointment. Please discuss the positive aspects of dentistry with your child. Convey good feelings to your child about dental visits. Rather than, “the dentist will not hurt you,” try “the dentist will be very gentle.” Expect your child to react well and enjoy the first visit to our office and chances are they will do exactly that.
It is best if you refrain from using words around your child that might cause unnecessary fear, such as "needle", "shot", "pull", "drill" or "hurt". Our office makes a practice of using words that convey the same message, but are pleasant and non-frightening to the child.
From infant children, to teenagers and young adults, we invite every member of your family to experience the highest-quality dental care in a fun, relaxed, stress-free environment. Our (New) Tampa dental office features special play areas filled with video games, movies and books, and we have above each dental chair a TV with headphones so your child can unwind and watch a movie throughout his or her appointment. See for yourself everything we have to offer at Dr. Duga, Dr. Feeney and Associates by taking a virtual tour of our office.
During the First Dental Visit
Our staff will review the health history form with you. Your child will be introduced to our dental team and allowed time to see the office and become more comfortable before the examination. We invite you to stay with your child during this entire dental visit. Dr. Duga or Dr. Feeney will complete a complete oral facial examine including the hard and soft tissues of the mouth and a head and neck examination. Depending on need, x-rays are taken to determine your child's present dental condition. Following the exam, our findings and recommendations will be discussed. You will then be given an estimate of the cost if treatment is needed.
We invite you to stay with your child during all dental appointments at our office. However, you can allow your child to accompany our staff through the dental experience. For some children we can establish a closer rapport with your child when you are not present. Our purpose is to gain your child's confidence and overcome apprehension. However, if you choose, you are more than welcome to accompany your child to the treatment area. For the safety and privacy of all patients, we recommend other children who are not being treated should remain in the reception room with a supervising adult.
We sincerely trust that you and your child will find the first and all visits to our office comfortable and rewarding. If at any time you have a question, please feel free to call our office. We are here to serve you. We appreciate you entrusting your child's dental care to us. We also appreciate your referral of family and friends to our office.
If Your Child Will Have NITROUS OXIDE
If your child is apprehensive by the sights, sounds, or sensations of dental treatment, he or she may react more positively with the use of Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas), which we offer right here in our Tampa office. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is a combination of two gases. When inhaled, the oxygen and nitrous oxide combination are absorbed by the body and provide a reassuring, relaxing effect for your child without putting them to sleep. Your child will smell a scent that is pleasant and experience a sense of comfort and calm. Children will breathe normally with a mask in place sitting loosely over their nose.
Please have your child EAT SOMETHING LIGHT before his or her appointment. Avoid heavy or greasy foods like sausages, eggs, pancakes, etc, even milk products. Toast, crackers, dry cereal, water, clear juice are good choices. Please inform a staff member if your child has taken any medication before using nitrous oxide.
Nitrous oxide is considered the safest " sedative " in dentistry. It is non-addictive. Your child will remain fully conscious and all natural reflexes will remain in place while breathing nitrous oxide.
Your child will be administered 100% oxygen following the use of nitrous oxide. The oxygen will quickly remove virtually all of the remaining nitrous oxide from the body. Your child will be able to walk out of our office on his or her own.
When Your Child Has Had a Local Anesthetic
This may be your child's first experience with a numb feeling in the mouth. Our dental staff will explain the following:
- The numbness should last approximately 1 to 2 hours depending on your child's metabolism.
- The numbness could affect the jaw, tongue and cheek or lip.
- It is very important that you keep a close eye on your child. Since your child will be numb, remind your child not to chew, bite, or scratch with a finger around the mouth.
- Drinking is fine but have your child eat only soft foods until the numbness is gone.
- The first time children are numb they can confuse the numbness feeling as having pain. Our explanation to him/her and your support will make this experience easier for your child
When Your Child has A New White Filling
- The white fillings are completely hardened when finished; however avoid eating more than soft foods until the numbness wears off usually after 1-2 hours.
- Cool beverages may help soothe the tenderness that can occur after the procedure.
- Please do not give your child hard or sticky food for the rest of the day.
- The teeth are more subject to fracture once part of the tooth structure has been destroyed by decay. So refrain from chewing ice, hard candy, popcorn kernels and gum on a permanent basis.
- Teeth with a new filling can be sensitive after being restored. This may be noticed as hot or cold foods and liquids are eaten, and should lessen as time passes.
When Your Child has a New Stainless Steel Crown
- Due to a large breakdown of the tooth structure, where a normal filling of the tooth can no longer be accomplished, your child may need to have a stainless steel crown placed on his or her tooth.
- Placing a crown requires us to go just below the gum line. If your child experiences any discomfort when the numbness wears off, Tylenol will greatly help. Please follow age appropriate dosages.
- The gum around the tooth may bleed for 4 to 5 days, as the teeth are brushed. Do not let this stop you from cleaning the area. If the area is not cleaned daily, it may become inflamed or infected. Rinsing (3-4 times per day) with a warm solution of salt water (1 tsp. of salt in a glass of warm water) will help prevent this from happening.
When Your Child has a New Stainless Steel Crown
- Due to a large breakdown of the tooth structure, where a normal filling of the tooth can no longer be accomplished, your child may need to have a stainless steel crown placed on his or her tooth.
- Placing a crown requires us to go just below the gum line. If your child experiences any discomfort when the numbness wears off, Tylenol will greatly help. Please follow age appropriate dosages.
- The gum around the tooth may bleed for 4 to 5 days, as the teeth are brushed. Do not let this stop you from cleaning the area. If the area is not cleaned daily, it may become inflamed or infected. Rinsing (3-4 times per day) with a warm solution of salt water (1 tsp. of salt in a glass of warm water) will help prevent this from happening.
When Your Child Has a Tooth Extracted
- DON'T rinse the mouth for 24 hours. NO drinking through a straw for 24 hours following the extraction.
- Some bleeding is expected following tooth extractions. Continue biting pressure on the gauze for 20-30 minutes. A very slight bloodstain on the pillow the night following the extraction is not uncommon. If bleeding persists the day after the extraction, please call our Tampa office at (813-631-1100).
- PLEASE - NO ASPIRIN! If your child needs something for discomfort, give Tylenol or Advil/Motrin.
- A soft diet is advisable for the first 24 hours after extraction.
- PROCEEDING 1 to 2 DAYS.rinsing with a warm solution of salt water (1 tsp. of salt in a glass of warm water) will help the area heal.
Our Payment Policy
Please be aware that Dr. Duga, Dr. Feeney and Associates has the following policy: A parent bringing his or her child to our office is legally responsible for payment of all charges.
Payment is requested at each appointment as service is rendered and can be made by cash, check, debit cards, MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express. As a courtesy to our insurance covered patients, we will accept payment for treatment directly from your insurance company. However, we ask you to pay any non-covered fees at the time treatment is provided. We expect your insurance company to pay the portion filed within a five (5) week time period after the completion of treatment. If your insurance company fails to make its payment within a five (5) week period, you will be expected to pay for all dental services and follow-up with your insurance company personally.
Please bring insurance cards, forms, and coverage information with you so we may assist you by filing the insurance for you. If you have a change of insurance, please advise us as soon as possible before your child's next appointment. If insurance coverage cannot be verified with your insurance company by the time of your child's appointment, you will need to pay for the charges incurred, and your insurance company will reimburse you for their portion of these charges.
Personalized Coloring Book
Your child will love having their own personalized coloring book from the dentist, and they can use it for years to come or you can preserve it in their scrapbook or baby book. It is fun and easy to use, try it yourself by clicking on one of the coloring books below.
