Preventive Education

Preventive Dental Care Education by our North Scottsdale Pediatric Dentist, Dr. Noel Korf

Dental education is an important tool used to prepare young children for great oral health. Dr. Noel W. Korf, a North Scottsdale pediatric dentist, is dedicated to the dental needs of children. Dr. Korf and staff strive to build trusting patient relationships, instill good daily brushing and flossing habits, and diminish anxiety associated with office visits.

Preventive Dental Care 

Dr. Korf encourages parents to bring their children in for a dental health check-up before problems begin.  Getting to know him and his wonderful staff prior to feeling any pain will promote a more trusting relationship. Dr. Korf enjoys spending one-on-one time with each patient to get to know them and encourages an open forum for questions about teeth and gums. A child’s natural curiosity is a stepping stone to a more complete understanding of oral health care. Hygienists will also provide a patient-focused time to talk about their mouths and how to keep everything in it clean. Brushing instructions are reviewed at every appointment.

Preventing Dental Fears with Tell-Show-Do 

Dr. Korf embraces the Tell-Show-Do teaching method at his North Scottsdale pediatric dental office. When preparing a child for dental procedures, it is essential to include the child’s well-being each step of the way.

In order to alleviate the fear of the unknown, Dr. Korf and his staff will:

Tell - Children’s dentistry is based on good communication to both patient and parent. Prior to working in the child’s mouth, the dentist and hygienist will both talk about what they are going to do and why. Gentle words are used to describe tools and procedures to build comfort and understanding. 

Show – Dental tools can be intimidating to patients of any age. Dr. Korf keeps his tray of dental equipment out of sight to minimize anxiety and will display each tool as it is needed. He will let a child listen to the sounds and see how it works before it is used on the patient. Children will have a better understanding of what will happen next when given an opportunity to ask questions.

Do – Once the child is comfortable with what comes next, Dr. Korf and hygienists will move forward with the treatment. During this time, assistants are available to hold a child’s hand and/or verbally reassure the patient as work is being done.

The Fight against Tooth Decay

Hygienists reinforce good oral hygiene habits at every cleaning. They will show the child where problem areas are in the mouth and teach them how to improve their brushing routine. Dental caries (tooth decay) prevention is a high priority for Dr. Korf. With education and early detection, children’s techniques can minimize invasive treatments and prevent dental problems.
 Preventive education and care includes:

Routine visits support daily hygiene habits. Hygienists are trained to remove plaque and tartar buildup.  Visual exams and x-rays reinforce early detection to help eliminate dental fears. Every child leaves with a new brush, toothpaste, floss and a timer to help promote good at-home care.

Fluoride treatments are given after every dental cleaning to help strengthen tooth enamel in the fight against tooth decay. 

Sealants are applied to the chewing surfaces of a child’s 6 and 12 year molars. The protective bond will fill in the depressions and grooves as a protective shield. These back teeth are hard to reach with a regular toothbrush and the sealant acts as a protective coat to stop decay-causing bacteria, food, and plaque buildup from settling on the surface of the tooth in-between dental visits.

Children's Dentist in North Scottsdale

With over 38 years as a pediatric dentist in North Scottsdale, Dr. Noel Korf is dedicated to children’s dentistry, providing dental education and gentle care to each of his young patients. Contact us at our children's dental office in North Scottsdale for more information or to schedule an appointment for a routine visit.