May 25, 2012

Directory Listings

Dr. Franklin W. Quillin, Jr. D.D.S.P.C.

Dr. Quillin is a Pediatric Dentist and the first licensed Pediatric Dentist in West Virginia.  He has over 40 years experience as a Pediatric Dentist and a staff with a combined more than 45 years of experience.  Dr Quillin has maintained the same office for more than 35 years.  His office staff is compassionate and caring.

Dr. Franklin W. Quillin, Jr. D.D.S.P.C. FAQ

Q: Why should I choose to take my child to see a Pediatric Dentist instead of just taking them to see the same dentist that I have been seeing myself, for years?
A: a. A Pediatric Dentist has spent extra years educating themselves in the specialty of children’s dentistry. They are knowledgeable in the development, growth, and restoration of primary (baby) teeth than a general practitioner. b. The expertise that a Pediatric Dentist gains from working mostly with children allows the Dentist (as well as his trained office staff) to be able to gain a child’s trust and helps the child to be more comfortable with the entire dental process. c. Here at Dr. Quillin’s office, we treat the patient (and parent), as a person… not just a chart number. We want our children to feel as though they are our friends, part of our family… AND THEY ARE!!!
Q: What age does your office like to start seeing the children for their routine check ups and cleanings?
A: a. Our office usually starts the children’s visits when they are around 3 ½ years old. b. The reason for starting them at 31/2 is because, by the time they get to that particular age, we feel as though they are better able to understand the upcoming procedure as it is being explained to them. c. Our office staff has developed a special way of explaining each procedure to the child by incorporating fun, unique, friendly, and generally un-scary names for most of the instruments and equipment. d. When applicable, we allow the child to see, feel and hear the instruments so that they are not frightened by them e. A few examples of the above mentioned: i. “Whistle Brush” (instead of DRILL) ii. “Thirsty-Joe” (instead of Suction Tube) iii. “Squirt Gun” (instead of Water Syringe) *The most important name that Dr. Quillin has come up with to help a child with their apprehension regarding needles is: iv. “Sleepy Juice” (instead of shot or needle). When a child has to have treatment done that will require our office to numb the tooth to be fixed, we tell the child that “we are going to squirt some sleepy-juice on the tooth and make your tooth take a little nap, for about an hour”. We NEVER say shot or needle and we will also encourage the patient’s family to not do so either. f. If your child is under the age of 3 ½ and you are able to see a spot/cavity or you believe that your child is having a problem with their teeth, please give our office a call and we will be happy to bring you child in for an exam (as best we possibly can). i. If your child does have treatment that will be necessary to restore his/her teeth, and we are not able to complete the necessary treatment, we will provide you with the information on a comprehensive dental office that may fit your needs better.
Q: My child is extremely apprehensive/frightened about having to be seen by a dentist. Unfortunately, my child has always been very uncooperative with any dentists/dental offices that we have visited previously. How would your office differ to help my child’s dental experience versus the other offices that we have tried in the past?
A: a. Dr. Quillin has been a Pediatric Dentist for over 40 years and throughout those years he has managed to combine all of his experiences to provide his staff with the best possible training on the correct way to help an apprehensive/uncooperative child. Our staff has over 45 combined years experience in pediatric dentistry as well. b. We have numerous dentists from all around the tri-state area who refer their “less-than-happy” patients to our office as even a last resort. c. Here at Dr. Quillin’s office, we do all of our procedures in office, instead of in the hospital. Many parents will bring their child to see us when the dentist they have been to previously has suggested having the child be put to sleep, in the hospital, to provide their dental services. d. Usually we are able to help a child (and their parent) not to have to experience the anxiety and nervousness that comes along with having work done in a hospital, just by simply talking to a child on their level. e. We are able to gain a child’s trust and understanding by explaining all of the aspects of any procedure to them, before it is performed. Also, we use a variety of special names for many of our “scariest” instruments and allow a child to see, touch and hear the equipment before using it around them.
Q: What exactly is a sealant and why is it so important to have applied to my child’s teeth?
A: a. A sealant is a clear or white, plastic “paint” that is applied to the permanent back teeth to prevent cavities. b. This protecting “paint” is applied to the grooved and pitted, chewing surfaces of these teeth, where most cavities in children are found. c. It is applied using a special “paintbrush” or a metal or plastic instrument to allow the flow to only glide into the areas needed. d. The child’s teeth/mouth are not numb for this procedure e. The sealants will usually last approximately 3 years, but will differ with each child due to the differences of every child’s eating habits and everyday behaviors f. Dr. Quillin’s office checks the sealants at every bi-annual checkup to make sure that they are still intact. If the sealant has cracked, broken or is simply missing, it will be replaced as soon as possible to continue to help the child prevent decay from starting on those teeth. g. Even with sealants applied to all of the back, permanent teeth; it is possible for a child to still get a cavity in one of those particular teeth. The sealant will only help 100% of the time if the child is brushing and flossing regularly.
Q: What is the correct age to start brushing my child’s teeth?
A: a. Until your child’s first tooth appears (usually around 6 months old or so); you can rub a clean, damp washcloth over the baby’s gums at least once a day. i. This will swipe away most of the food and plaque and will reduce bacteria in the mouth. ii. This simple step will start your baby off on a good routine for oral health care…, which can mean fewer cavities when the teeth start erupting through. b. As soon as you see that first sparkling tooth, it’s time to start “brushing”. i. Use only a “pea-sized” dab of fluoride-free (the fluoride can upset tummy and a very upset baby too) training toothpaste on a finger brush (a little rubber sheath with tiny, soft bristles that you wear on your index finger). ii. Gently rub your finger brush over the gums and especially on both sides of the baby’s tooth. iii. To rinse, gently swipe a wet washcloth over the teeth and gums as you get as much of the toothpaste out of the mouth as possible. c. As soon as his molars have come through (around 1 year of age), it’s time to use a soft bristled toddler toothbrush as well as that fluoride-free, training toothpaste. i. Starting with the upper teeth, use the toddler toothbrush in a gentle, circular motion from the front of each tooth to the backs of them… then brush the chewing surface. ii. Repeat the same, exact brushing procedure for the bottom teeth. iii. To rinse, again use a wet washcloth to remove as much of the toothpaste as possible. d. As soon as your child is able to spit out the toothpaste, that is when you want to start them on using fluoride containing toothpaste to help prevent cavities better. i. Be sure to use an age/size appropriate toothbrush. ii. Always use a soft-bristled brush. iii. Be sure to allow your child to brush their teeth first (as you supervise) and you go behind them and repeat the brushing when they are finished.
Q: My dental insurance company says that they will pay 100% of my child’s check ups and cleanings. Does that mean that I will NOT have to pay anything out of pocket for those visits?
A: a. Not necessarily. As with any and all insurances, there always seem to be a catch, or two, somewhere. b. Many dental insurances say that they will pay 100% of the routine cleanings that are recommended twice a year, however, that amount is usually based on what the insurance companies call their “usual and customary fees”. i. What “usual and customary fees” means is THEIR fee schedule (what they thins the fees/charges should be). ii. What these dental insurance companies do is, take many or all of the providers that they have in their plan and combine all of the charges for the dentists. Then they will come up with the AVERAGE amount (or even less if they choose) and that is their fee schedule, so that’s the amount they pay the dentists for their services. c. We have no way of being able to tell you the exact amount that any dental insurance company will pay until it is billed. If treatment is required to restore any teeth in your child’s mouth, then we are, at that time, able to send the dental insurance company a pre-authorization sheet. We usually have their response back within 4-5 weeks and that “estimate” will tell us what they are usually willing to pay for treatments proposed. d. Also remember, here at Dr. Quillin’s office, we do accept most dental insurance and are happy to bill them for you!!!

*IMPORTANT BRUSHING INFORMATION TO REMEMBER*

*Your child is not capable of brushing his/her teeth completely by themselves until at least until the age of 8… they just don’t have the correct coordination to do so properly. 

*Although brushing after every meal is important, the bedtime brushing is the most important.  While your child is sleeping, any food, plaque or sugar that remains on their teeth and gums will turn to acid that attacks enamel and leads to cavities. 

*Remind your child that they need to brush their gums and tongues (gently) just as much as their teeth to have a healthy mouth, prevent cavities and keep away bad breath 

*Brushing is not enough alone… children need to floss regularly as well. 

*Do Not use any fluoride rinses (such as ACT or Listerine) until you are sure that your child is able to swish and spit the rinse out of his/her mouth and not swallow it. 

*Make sure their dentist sees your child at least 2 times a year for their routine checkups!!!!!

Contact Information

Address: 6171 Childers Road
City, State, Zip: Barboursville West Virginia, 25504
Phone: 304-736-8906
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