Pediatric Dentist - Fresno & Clovis, CA - Andrea A. Berryhill, D.D.S.

Dental Home

The dental home is intended to provide a place other than the Emergency Room for parents.

Our office, as well as the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Dental Association (ADA), recommends establishing a Dental Home for your child by age one. Children who have a dental home are more likely to receive appropriate preventive care and education.

Our office exceeds industry standards for sterilization!

The First Visit

You can make the first visit to the dentist enjoyable and positive. If old enough, your child should be informed of the visit and told that the dentist and staff will explain all procedures.

The less to-do concerning the visit, the better. Please refrain from using words around your child that might cause unnecessary anxiety such as “shot”, “needle”, “drill” or “hurt”. Our office will explain everything in pleasant and non-frightening words. You can prepare your child by telling him or her that we are going to “count” his or her teeth. We might also “tickle” (clean) and “take pictures” (X-rays).

For children under 3 1/2 and children with Special Needs: The first visit is typically a “Mommy Me” visit. You will accompany your child while we perform an oral examination and evaluate oral hygiene.

For children over 3 1/2: We encourage you to participate in oral hygiene instructions. Following OHI we ask that you allow your child to accompany our staff through the dental experience. We are highly experienced in helping children overcome anxiety. Separation anxiety is not uncommon in small children, so please try not to be concerned if your child initially exhibits some negative behavior. Studies and experience have shown that most children over the age of about 3 1/2 react more positively when permitted to experience the dental visit on their own in an environment designed especially for them.

We strive to make every visit
to our office a fun one!

Appointments

Our office attempts to schedule appointments at your convenience and when time is available. Preschool and younger elementary school age children should be seen in the morning because they are fresher and we can work more slowly with them for their comfort. Dental appointments are an excused absence. Missing school can be kept to a minimum when regular dental care is continued.

Since appointed times are reserved exclusively for each patient we ask that you kindly notify our office 24 hours in advance of your scheduled appointment time if you are unable to keep your appointment. Another patient, who needs our care, could be scheduled if we have sufficient time to notify them. We realize that unexpected things can happen, but we ask for your assistance in this regard.

Please also note that “no show” appointments may be subject to a missed appointment fee.

Post Treatment Care

Restorative Procedures: Most restorative procedures are done using a local anesthetic to numb the teeth and gums in the area being treated. This may be a puzzling or curious sensation for a youngster, and care must be taken that the child does not bite, suck or chew as serious lip or tongue laceration of the tissues can occur. Younger children will be asked to bite on cotton roll to remind them not to bite and chew. They must also be closely supervised until the numbness wears off.

Extractions: After the extraction of a tooth, folded gauze will be placed against the extraction site. The patient will be instructed to bite firmly for 30-60 minutes or until bleeding has stopped. If inadequate pressure is applied, the extraction site will continue to ooze and more pressure will be needed to achieve clotting. OTC pain medication such as Advil or Tylenol is usually adequate for pain relief. In some cases, a stronger pain medication may be prescribed. Pain medications should be given before the local anesthetic wears off. Do not give Aspirin. Avoid sharp foods such as corn chips and crusty bread and hot beverages following the extraction of a tooth.

Insurance and Financial Policy

Upon verification of your dental coverage, we offer the courtesy of filing your dental insurance for you. You will only be responsible for deductibles and any amount not covered by your insurance. Please keep us updated on changes in your insurance company or benefits.

Office Forms

(Downloads)




Dental Home The dental home is intended to provide a place other than the Emergency Room for parents. Our office, as well as the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Dental Association (ADA), recommends establishing a Dental Home for your child by age one. Children who have a dental home are more likely to receive appropriate preventive care and education. Our office exceeds industry standards for sterilization! The First Visit You can make the first visit to the dentist enjoyable and positive. If old enough, your child should be informed of the visit and told that the dentist and staff will explain all procedures. The less to-do concerning the visit, the better. Please refrain from using words around your child that might cause unnecessary anxiety such as “shot”, “needle”, “drill” or “hurt”. Our office will explain everything in pleasant and non-frightening words. You can prepare your child by telling him or her that we are going to “count” his or her teeth. We might also “tickle” (clean) and “take pictures” (X-rays). For children under 3 1/2 and children with Special Needs: The first visit is typically a “Mommy Me” visit. You will accompany your child while we perform an oral examination and evaluate oral hygiene. For children over 3 1/2: We encourage you to participate in oral hygiene instructions. Following OHI we ask that you allow your child to accompany our staff through the dental experience. We are highly experienced in helping children overcome anxiety. Separation anxiety is not uncommon in small children, so please try not to be concerned if your child initially exhibits some negative behavior. Studies and experience have shown that most children over the age of about 3 1/2 react more positively when permitted to experience the dental visit on their own in an environment designed especially for them. We strive to make every visit to our office a fun one! Appointments Our office attempts to schedule appointments at your convenience and when time is available. Preschool and younger elementary school age children should be seen in the morning because they are fresher and we can work more slowly with them for their comfort. Dental appointments are an excused absence. Missing school can be kept to a minimum when regular dental care is continued. Since appointed times are reserved exclusively for each patient we ask that you kindly notify our office 24 hours in advance of your scheduled appointment time if you are unable to keep your appointment. Another patient, who needs our care, could be scheduled if we have sufficient time to notify them. We realize that unexpected things can happen, but we ask for your assistance in this regard. Please also note that “no show” appointments may be subject to a missed appointment fee. Post Treatment Care Restorative Procedures: Most restorative procedures are done using a local anesthetic to numb the teeth and gums in the area being treated. This may be a puzzling or curious sensation for a youngster, and care must be taken that the child does not bite, suck or chew as serious lip or tongue laceration of the tissues can occur. Younger children will be asked to bite on cotton roll to remind them not to bite and chew. They must also be closely supervised until the numbness wears off. Extractions: After the extraction of a tooth, folded gauze will be placed against the extraction site. The patient will be instructed to bite firmly for 30-60 minutes or until bleeding has stopped. If inadequate pressure is applied, the extraction site will continue to ooze and more pressure will be needed to achieve clotting. OTC pain medication such as Advil or Tylenol is usually adequate for pain relief. In some cases, a stronger pain medication may be prescribed. Pain medications should be given before the local anesthetic wears off. Do not give Aspirin. Avoid sharp foods such as corn chips and crusty bread and hot beverages following the extraction of a tooth. Insurance and Financial Policy Upon verification of your dental coverage, we offer the courtesy of filing your dental insurance for you. You will only be responsible for deductibles and any amount not covered by your insurance. Please keep us updated on changes in your insurance company or benefits. Office Forms (Downloads)			Home Meet Our Team Patient Information Prevention/Risk Assessment Dental Topics Kids Corner Helping Others 6323 N. Fresno St Suite 101 Fresno, CA 93710 (559) 439-2307 Click here for a map to our location.