Kool Smiles FAQs

What are the primary differences between a pediatric dentist and a general dentist?

What is a general dentist?

Most dentists are general dentists. They take care of our teeth and our oral health. We usually see general dentists when we need a checkup. They also do other work like teeth cleanings, fillings, and restoring teeth.

What is a pediatric dentist?

Pediatric dentists are general dentists that did two years of training after dental school. They’re also called family dentists. They’re trained to care for kids of all ages, from babies to teenagers. They’re also trained to care for kids with special needs. They can do everything that a general dentist can, and are a great option for kids.

Why should my child see the dentist?

Every child should visit the dentist. Kids have special needs that are different from adults. And the right pediatric and general dentist will be patient and happy to work with your child! They’ll make oral care fun for your child, and help keep their smiles healthy. These dentists will give the best treatment and Kool Smiles has appointments that fit your family’s schedule.

How soon can my child see the dentist?

Kool Smiles general dentists will see kids as soon as their first tooth arrives. We’ll do checkups to look for oral health issues for the whole family. We want to make it easy and fun! We can schedule all appointments together and see kids and adults.

Our offices have fun activities for children, and use special tools to fit their little mouths. Our dentists are trained to treat kids of all ages. We want to keep your child’s mouth as healthy as possible so they’ll have happy smiles for life!

How do I teach my kids to brush their teeth?

How can I set a great example for my kids to help them brush their teeth?

Brush your teeth in front of your kids at an early age. Kids look to mirror their parents. When brushing, try to exaggerate your facial expressions, so children can see how you’re brushing your teeth.

Some parents play the sugar bug game, where you try to brush out the sugar bugs from the bottom, the top and front of your teeth. We want you to have fun as a family when you brush and floss your teeth!

How can I take care of my child’s teeth before they come in?

Before your baby’s first tooth appears, you can gently wipe the gums to keep them clean. You can do this with a soft cloth, a soft baby toothbrush, or with gauze and water. Your baby may enjoy the gentle rub on the gums they are in pain from teething. Don’t use toothpaste, though. Your baby is not old enough to spit or rinse.

When should I begin teaching my children how to brush their teeth?

Teach your child how to properly brush and floss their teeth. Brushing the teeth will remove sticky plaque, or food particles from inside your child’s mouth.

Brushing time can be a lot of fun for you and your child! Remember to be patient, and practice brushing after meals so that it becomes a habit. Give your child healthy snacks like raw vegetables and fruit to help clean your child’s teeth throughout the day. Your child is watching you so be sure to care for your smile! An early start and great oral care will keep your child’s smile healthy and happy for a lifetime. Have fun!

How is Kool Smiles different from other offices?

At Kool Smiles, quality is our top priority.

At each office, you’ll find friendly staff who have been trained to help young patients like your kids. We want you to get the care you deserve in a clean, safe, and fun place.

Kool Smiles offices are built with your family in mind. Our offices have large, bright waiting rooms and play areas for your kids. Our staff is trained to work with children as young as 1, and up to adulthood.

Do you treat adults?

Yes, many Kool Smiles offices treat both kids and adults. Our friendly, caring dentists provide cleanings, exams, extractions, fillings, crowns, root canals, and bridges or partial dentures. Call us to find out if a Kool Smiles office near you has appointments for adults!

Do you do orthodontics?

Yes! Many of our offices offer orthodontic services. Visit your Kool Smiles location page or give us a call.

What dental care plans do you accept?

Kool Smiles accepts most major insurance plans. Some of the plans we accept are Medicaid, State Children’s Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP), and United Concordia’s Tricare.

We also accept many insurance providers specific to the state you live in. Some of these are Healthy Smiles, South Carolina Medicaid, Oklahoma Soonercare, Smiles For Children of Virginia, and MassHealth.

Do you have payment plans?

We accept CareCredit and are happy to help you find the plan that works best for you. We can even help you apply in our offices on the spot!

We suggest getting an evaluation with one of our dentists first. This will include X-rays and a complete exam by the dentist. We’ll provide an estimate of all the dental work needed and help you determine the best way to pay.

Are parents allowed in the back with their children?

At Kool Smiles, we welcome parents with their kids in the treatment area.

For some kids, having a parent or guardian there helps them feel more comfortable. For others, having a parent or guardian in the room may distract or keep them from paying attention.

Our teams work with you to figure out the best solution for your kids. This will help us make sure we treat your child using the highest standards possible.

We want every child to have a great dental experience. Working together with you helps make sure that happens. We always want Kool Smiles to be a caring, safe, and friendly place for you and your family.

I would like to switch my Kool Smiles office because I have moved. What should I do?

Call and make an appointment at the office near your new home! When you call, tell them you’re a current Kool Smiles patient. Please make the appointment at least one week in advance. This will give us time to transfer your records.

What should I bring if dental work was provided at another office that is not part of Kool Smiles?

You should bring in copies of any X-rays that were done. Please also bring us an evaluation from the dentist who last treated you.

My child saw another general dentist recently and I was not satisfied. Can he or she have another cleaning done by Kool Smiles now?

Most insurance plans have limits on what they’ll cover. Usually this means your child can only be covered for a cleaning six months after the last one. But if you have treatment concerns, give us a call so we determine if there is additional care that is needed.

Do I need to bring recent X-rays from a previous general dentist, or will you take new ones?

Yes, bring any recent X-rays. We’ll take additional X-rays if needed, and let you know about any X-ray limitation in your insurance plan.

I was told by a previous doctor that my child needs to have a deep cleaning. Can he or she have a regular cleaning by Kool Smiles?

If your child was diagnosed with a periodontal disease, they’ll need more than a regular cleaning.

Our staff will examine your child’s teeth to help choose the best treatment. In most cases, our offices can provide the deep cleaning. If our office can’t, we’ll refer you to a local doctor.

Will my child have all of the work done on the first visit to Kool Smiles?

We can complete most treatment in just one visit. If more extensive work is needed, we’ll discuss the timing and treatment plan with you.

Do you take new patients?

We’re Always Accepting New Patients at Kool Smiles

You know oral health is important for your family. Regular check-ups can prevent more complex and expensive procedures. Let Kool Smiles help!

Kool Smiles provides great dental care for the whole family. Our fun, colorful waiting rooms keep kids entertained, and you’ll receive quality care and great customer service. In fact, 97% of our patients say they’d refer their friends and family.

Kool Smiles works with you to find payment options that suit your needs. We accept most types of insurance, including Medicaid and state health insurance plans (SCHIP). We also accept many state-specific insurances.

We proudly accept all forms of military insurance, including United Concordia’s Tricare. We also have cash and credit options, including CareCredit. If you have insurance questions, give us a call and we’ll help you understand your coverage.

Get started on a lifetime of great dental health. Call your local Kool Smiles office today.

Are you accepting new patients?

Kool Smiles Is Always Accepting New Patients

Oral health plays a big part in your family’s general health. Regular trips to the dentist can prevent more expensive and complex problems. Let Kool Smiles keep your family healthy!

Kool Smiles provides dental care for the whole family. Our waiting rooms have plenty of toys to keep kids entertained, and you’ll love our friendly staff. We offer quality care in a fun environment.

We accept a variety of payment options, so there’s sure to be one that meets your needs. We take most types of insurance, like Medicaid and many state health insurance plans (SCHIP).

We also proudly accept military insurance. Or, you can pay with cash, credit card, or CareCredit. If you have any questions about your insurance, give us a call. We’ll help you understand your coverage.

Get started on a lifetime of great health. Give us a call today.

How can I become a patient?

It’s Easy to Become a Patient at Kool Smiles

We at Kool Smiles want to have you as a patient. We know that great dental health leads to better general health &mash; and we want to help keep you healthy.

Regular dental visits can help prevent larger, more complex problems. That’s why we offer quality dental care for you and your family. Our fun, toy-filled waiting rooms keep your kids entertained, and our friendly staff is always here to help.

We accept many different forms of payment, including Medicaid, state insurance plans (SCHIP), and military insurance. Or, we take cash, credit card, or CareCredit. We’ll even get you signed up with CareCredit on the spot. If you have any insurance questions, just call us. We’ll help make sure you understand your coverage.

Get started a lifetime of great dental health. Give Kool Smiles a call today.

How can I be a patient?

It’s Easy to Become a Patient at Kool Smiles

At Kool Smiles, we want to make it easy for you to become a patient. We know that great dental health leads to a lifetime of great overall health. Let us help keep you healthy.

Regular trips to see the dentist can help prevent larger, more expensive issues. That’s why we provide quality dental care for you and your whole family. Our colorful waiting rooms are filled with toys to entertain your children. And our friendly staff is always here to answer any questions.

We proudly accept most forms of insurance, including Medicaid, state insurance plans (SCHIP), and military insurance. We also take cash, credit, or CareCredit. If you need help understanding your coverage, just give us a call and we’ll help.

It’s time for a lifetime of great dental health. Call Kool Smiles today.

What is the Kool Experience?

The Kool Smiles team takes pride in providing high-quality, convenient and compassionate oral healthcare to our patients.

Our Offices

Kool Smiles offices are built with kids in mind. We have brightly colored, oversize waiting rooms with play areas. Many of these even have full playground sets where younger children can climb, slide, and explore.

Our offices also have hygiene viewing areas. Here, parents can watch as their children get their teeth cleaned and examined. Parents are also welcome to accompany their child into the treatment area.

What to Expect

We aim to make dental treatment a pleasant experience. Before any procedure is performed, our doctors explain and show what they’re going to do.

If needed, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) can be given to help with anxiety. Local anesthesia may also be used to numb teeth and gums to prevent pain. Your dentist will talk with you about the best option for your child.

After the exam, a clinical staff member will meet with the family to talk about the work completed. They provide after-care instructions, issue prescriptions if needed, and answer any questions.

Our Services

We know time is precious, so our doctors do their best to complete additional services the same day. This means you don’t have to take time off work or take your child out of school to make a return trip to Kool Smiles.

Most Kool Smiles offices are staffed with multi-lingual representatives and dental professionals. Kool Smiles also offers translation services at no cost to you.

What’s it like to be a patient at Kool Smiles?

When you’re a patient at Kool Smiles, you can expect to receive high-quality, convenient, and compassionate oral healthcare.

Our Offices

Kool Smiles offices are built with children in mind. Our brightly colored, oversize waiting rooms have play areas that kids will love. Many of them even have full playground sets!

Our offices also have hygiene viewing areas so parents can watch as children get their teeth examined. You’re also welcome to join your child in the treatment area.

What to Expect

We try to make dental treatment as pleasant as possible. Before we perform any procedures, a doctor will explain and show what they’re going to do.

If it’s needed, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is offered to help with anxiety. We may also use local anesthesia to numb teeth and gums to prevent pain. Your dentist will work with you to determine the best option for your child.

After exams, a professional will meet with you to talk about the work that was completed. We’ll give you after-care instructions, prescribe any needed medications, and answer any questions.

Our Services

We know your time is valuable, so our doctors try to complete additional services the same day. This means you don’t have to take time off work or take kids out of school for return trips.

Most Kool Smiles offices are staffed with multi-lingual representatives and dental professionals. We offer translation services at no cost to you.

What can my children expect at Kool Smiles?

When you and your children visit Kool Smiles, you can expect to receive high-quality, convenient, and compassionate oral healthcare.

Our Offices

We construct our offices with children in mind. Our colorful waiting rooms have fun play areas and lots of toys to keep kids entertained. Plus, many waiting rooms also have full playground sets.

Most Kool Smiles offices feature visiting areas so you can watch as your children get their teeth examined. Or if you prefer, you can join them in the treatment area.

What to Expect

We’ll make your child’s visit to Kool Smiles as comfortable as we can. Before we perform any exams or procedures, our dentists will always show you and tell you what they’re going to do. That way, there’s no mystery.

If your kids are very nervous about seeing the dentist, we can provide nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to calm them. We may also use local anesthesia to prevent tooth and gum pain.

After the exam, a professional will visit with you to recap the work that was done. They’ll share any after-care instructions, prescribe needed medications, and answer your questions.

Our Services

We know time is valuable. That’s why we do our best to complete all services on the same day as your original appointment. This way you don’t have to take extra time off from work or take your kids out of school.

Many Kool Smiles offices are staffed with multi-lingual staff members. We provide translation services at no cost to you.

Do you have a satisfaction guarantee?

At Kool Smiles, we want to make sure everyone leaves with a smile.

That’s why we have a patient satisfaction program to track how we’re doing. We review the results every month, and we’ve found that 97% of our patients say they are likely to refer us to friends and family. The reason is simple: we make sure the Kool Smiles experience is all about you.

It starts with quality dental care in a clean, safe, and fun environment. With convenient locations and appointments that fit around your schedule, you get the quality dental care you want, when you need it.

We’re proud of our extremely low complaint rate, and we want every experience to be great. We take complaints seriously and respond to each one.

We’re proud of our customer reviews. If you didn’t have a great experience at Kool Smiles, we want to know about it. Please let us know so we can follow up with you.

What’s your satisfaction policy?

We want to make sure you leave Kool Smiles with a smile on your face.

That’s we have a patient satisfaction program that tracks how we’re doing. Each month we review our results, and so far we’ve found that 97% of patients say they’d refer us to their friends and family. The reason is simple: we make sure the Kool Smiles experience is all about you.

We start with quality dental care in a safe, fun, and clean setting. Our flexible appointments work with your schedule, so you get the dental care you want, when you want it.

We’re proud of our low complaint rate, and we want every customer to be satisfied. We take complaints seriously and respond to each one.

If you didn’t have a great experience at Kool Smiles, please let us know so we can follow up with you.

What if I have a complaint?

We want to make sure you leave Kool Smiles with a smile on your face. Our goal is to provide quality dental care in a safe, fun, and clean setting, so you get the dental care you want, when you need it.

Patient satisfaction is very important to us, and we want every customer to be satisfied. That’s why we have a patient satisfaction program to track how we’re doing each month.

We take complaints seriously and respond to each one.

If you didn’t have a great experience at Kool Smiles, please let us know. We want to hear from you and find out how we can make it right.