Pediatric Dentists Are Definitely Worth It
Like a lot of people, we skipped our regular dental exams during Covid in 2020. My kids had always had perfect checkups, so I didn’t worry. When I finally took my kids to my dentist (not a pediatric dentist) in Spring 2021, one had two large cavities and told us we should go to a pediatric dentist to have them filled. I made the appointment at the dentist they recommended, but due to the backlog of folks who had waited to see their dentist, we could not get in for months.
About a month before our appointment, my daughter began complaining about her teeth every day. I called and could not move up our appointment. Then, on a Saturday (of course), she woke up in tears. She couldn’t eat and the pain was unbearable. I called everywhere. The dentist we had an appointment with was closed, as were most others. My dentist wouldn’t see her and suggested we go to Children’s Hospital.
We went to the hospital and after a three-hour wait, we were eventually told that the hospital had just severed its relationship with LSU Dental School, and thus, there was no one who could see her.
A nice nurse who felt bad for my daughter recommended another pediatric dentist. I called Smile Bright Dental in Metairie and spoke to the doctor. Dr. Linda Cao was about to close for the day but agreed that if we could get there in the next half hour, she would see my daughter. I raced through the discharge process and then raced traffic to get out there.
When we arrived, it was just Dr. Cao and one member of her staff. She told us she would have to remove the two teeth because the cavities were now so large it would not be worthwhile to fill them in baby teeth. Within 15 minutes, she had pulled the two teeth — with no pain for my daughter! — and we were on our way. The main thing my daughter remembers is that Dr. Cao told me I should take her for a snowball!
We have since exclusively gone to Dr. Cao for both kids. She has filled cavities without pain and provided advice about braces and brushing. She is efficient and kind to me and the kids. Another thing I love is that it seems her staff like their jobs and like one another. They are all kind and understanding, and most importantly, competent.
I will never again take for granted quality dental care, or the specialty provided with a pediatric dentist!
