Every patient who enters our doors choose to come. Many are recommended by friends and family. Some come for pain relief. Others come out of concern for a family member. Many more come because they want to protect their oral health so they can live happy, productive and pain free lives. Each one who made the choice to visit this Layton dentist answered one question:

How do I choose a competent, caring dentist?

We understand this is important to you so we put together the “How Do I Choose a Dentist Quick Check Guide” to help you (See below). We also did the research to create the local dentist “Comprehensive Treatment Comparison” chart for you (See below).

Here are a few of recommendations from the “How Do I Choose a Dentist Quick Check Guide” we think you will appreciate.

• Relationship – The American Dental Association* suggest you ask your friends and family for recommendations.
• Experience – The relationship you have with your dentist grows out of your interactions. The way the office operates influences your experience.How do they work? Does it work for you?
• Expertise – Are they up to date? Are they prepared to perform the very best procedures to meet you needs?
• Technology – Do they have the tools to put into practice the best practices?

As you can see there are some pretty good suggestions in the Quick Guide. You’ll want a to  get a copy to examine more carefully later. You can see below just how our office aligns with the recommendations.

Relationship

Did you know that you are four times more likely to purchase a product or service when it was recommended by a friend or family member?  We tend to trust referrals and reviews from our peers and often look for that stamp of approval before trying out something new. We want to be the dental office you are comfortable telling all your friends and family about.

We’re very committed to creating lasting relationships with our patients.  We give the same careful attention to each of our patients and strive to meet all their needs.  You can always depend on us too; we’re always here to help, even if its 2 am!  But don’t take our word for it, look and see what others have said about our office to help decide for yourself if this is the place for you!

     Allen Webb – I had been going to my previous dentist in Ogden for 35 years when he decided to retire. I wanted to find a younger dentist closer to home and had heard only good things about Dr. Harmon. Since switching I have had a couple of regular check-ups and a root canal. Dr. Harmon has been great!! I highly recommend him and his wonderful staff. Feels like home already. . . as much like home as a root canal can feel!!

Experience

When it comes to experience there’s more to consider than just time on the job.  You want a dentist who has a mix of top notch education, mentored experience, and confidence in his/her work as well as working experience.  We believe a good place to start is to know a little bit of background about who you’re putting your trust in when you sit in the dental chair.

Here’s just a little bit about the Doctor:

Dr. Harmon has been practicing dentistry since 2010 after graduating from the University of Maryland with a degree in Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S).  The school of dentistry at University of Maryland has been consistently ranked in the top ten schools of dentistry across the country and has an extremely competitive acceptance rate.

Dr. Harmon also completed his bachelor’s in business management in 2006 at Brigham Young University.  His schooling also included mentoring under experienced dentists to become proficient in all scopes of dentistry.

Dr. Harmon has continued to better his practice by attending dental conventions, classes, and other studies to keep him up to date with the latest trends, not to mention helping hundreds of patients over the years with their dental needs!

Expertise

In an ever changing world you may wonder how our staff stays up to date with the newest trends and technologies in the dentistry field.  To stay current and practiced in their field all dentists and hygienists are required to earn a certain amount of CE credits per year to stay licensed.  The minimum amount is 30 credits in 2 years.  Not only do we meet this requirement but go above and beyond!  In 2013 alone Dr. Harmon gained over 80 credits!  For the past two years he has a combined total of over 150 credits, 120 more than what is required.  Dr. Harmon isn’t the only one working hard – our staff members also gain CE credits from attending dental conventions and classes throughout the year.  In 2013 the staff worked up 71 CE credits and 58 credits in 2012.  As you can see we take our practice very seriously and we know the best way to take care of our patients is to stay in the know with current dental practices and trends.  It’s no wonder we’re able to do so many different treatments in our office which makes things much more convenient for you!  Just take a look at our comparison chart to see how we stack up against three other dentists in the Davis County area.

Technology

It seems like we live in a world where technology is advancing every day.  It’s true, new and improved techniques and equipment are emerging all the time in the dental field but we’ve made it our goal to keep updated with the trends.  We not only have the right tools in our practice to give the best care but offer technology others don’t!  From our revolutionary Fastbraces® technology to our laser treatments to state of the art equipment you can be sure you’re getting the right treatment.  Our updated digital x-ray equipment helps us see everything in just a few minutes with hardly any radiation and makes creating the right treatment plan for your needs easy.  We recently added laser treatments to our services.  Laser technology can be used in many different ways including making cleanings easier and more comfortable for you, incisions that are practically pain free, and many other uses.   Technology helps us to better help you and we have made every effort to stay up to date to ensure the best care for all our patients.

How To Choose

Now you know more about how to pick a dentist. You also know a lot more about the quality practice Dr. Kyle Harmon of Central Davis Dental has build in Layton, Utah. You probably still have a few lingering questions like those answered as you go through the “How Do I Choose a Dentist Quick Check Guide”.
We can send you your personal copy of “How Do I Choose a Dentist Quick Check Guide”. Just let us know and we will email it to you so you can read it when you can give it the attention it deserves.

Schedule a consultation

Have questions about your personal oral health?  We’re here to help.  Right now we are offering a free consultation from Dr. Harmon to get you on the right track for better oral health. We promise we’re the number one dentist in Layton, UT and look forward to proving it to you.  To make things even easier we’re also going to give you $20 or 20% off any dental treatment. Schedule your free consultation today!

Good oral hygiene habits start early.  As a parent you know that it is your responsibility to keep your children healthy and safe but many times oral hygiene falls by the waysides leaving your child vulnerable to dental problems.  Ask yourself these questions:

~        Has my child been to see a dentist?

~        Does my child know how to properly care for their own teeth including brushing and flossing?

~        Does my child have a tooth-friendly diet?

~        Is my child at risk for dental problems due to bad habits now? (i.e. thumb sucking, bottles/pacifiers)

Now it goes without saying that age appropriate behaviors apply (we don’t expect your one year old to know how to floss) but do you know when or where to start? To help you gain a better understanding of your child’s oral health we will use these four questions to break down the do’s and don’ts of pediatric dental care.

DO take your child to the dentist early

Did you know that the American Academy of Pediatrics advises parents to take their children to their first dentist visit before they even turn one year old?  It may be strange to think of taking your baby to see the dentist but once they have teeth those teeth need to be cared for.  Even if your child only has a few baby teeth, getting them to a dentist early will help them get used to the dental chair and help reduce their fears of going to the dentist when they’re older.  Early visits are also a great opportunity for you to talk to your dentist about how to care for your child’s teeth as they get older.  Plan to visit the dentist every six months after their second birthday and expect their first set of x-rays to take place between the ages of 4 and 6.  It is also a great idea to have a fluoride treatment done at each dental visit to help strengthen their growing teeth and most insurance’s cover this procedure for children.  As your child starts to lose their baby teeth and permanent ones start to come in (around 5 or 6) plan on getting sealants done on their molars.  Sealants are a thin plastic coating applied directly to teeth to help prevent bacteria from settling into the pits and grooves of teeth that are susceptible to decay.  By the time your child turns eight you can plan on taking them to an orthodontist.

DON’T reinforce fears

If you’re concerned about how your child will behave for the dentist, don’t be.  Your dentist will have the proper training and experience to work with young children, you don’t even need to take them to a pediatric specialist unless they have special needs or are recommended by your pediatrician. If your child is showing fear towards dentist visits or during their visits there are ways to help them adjust.  Make sure they know why they are going to the dentist and what to expect when they’re there.  The dentist will also help ease your child’s fears by explaining what he’s doing and by showing them a little fun with a “chair ride.”  Your child will eventually understand that the dentist is there to keep them healthy, just like their doctor.  Reinforce good behavior at the dentist, when they do something right tell them they’re doing a good job!  All of these measures will not only help keep your child’s mouth healthy but will also keep you from wanting to pull your hair out whenever dentist visits come around!

DO teach your children good habits while they’re young

Preparing your child to have a lifetime of good oral health should start when they’re young.  You can start caring for your child’s oral health even before they have teeth.  For young infants it is recommended to keep their gums clean by wiping them with a clean rag or using a fingertip brush.  Not only will this keep their gums clean and healthy but also helps them get used to having something cleaning the inside of their mouth.  The moment teeth start to erupt is when you should start brushing.  Use a piece of moist gauze to wipe away plaque when they’re first erupting and move to a toothbrush once they have several teeth.  You can get a toothbrush with a small head for your child, you don’t even have to purchase one if you bring them to the dentist – we’ll give you one!

Try to clean your child’s teeth twice a day, just like you.  Having a set routine will be most beneficial for your child and can easily be incorporated into morning and night routines.  Many parents worry about using fluoridated toothpaste but it is important to help strengthen their teeth.  Dr. Harmon recommends using just a “smear” of toothpaste when brushing and to keep toothpaste out of reach otherwise.  You should also be flossing your child’s teeth the moment two teeth erupt next to each other.  Many of the cavities we see in younger children sit in between their teeth.  Early flossing habits will help prevent this and, again, gets your child into a routine.  As your child gets older have them brush and floss their own teeth with close supervision to make sure they are using safe techniques and getting everything clean.  Who knows, maybe helping your child create a healthy routine will help you keep up with your own healthy oral hygiene!

DON’T create unhealthy eating habits

We all know that we should be avoiding candy and sweets but there are many other foods that can be harmful to your child’s teeth that you may not know about.  When choosing a snack for your child try to keep to healthy snacks such as fruits and veggies, yogurt, cheese, and lean meats.  Some culprits that can really harm your child’s teeth include popcorn, ice, chewy foods, citrus, starchy foods, and juice.

Popcorn kernels and ice are much too hard for your child’s teeth to handle and can cause chips and cracks in the enamel. You wouldn’t believe that amount of phone calls we get from people eating popcorn!  Starchy, refined foods such as chips, crackers, bread, and cereal can be just as bad as candy.  These foods break down into simple sugars that linger in the mouth and cause decay.  Just think of how many times you give your child crackers or cheerios.  Chewy, sticky foods are one of the worst things for anyone’s teeth.  You make think they are eating healthy when you give them dried fruits but the sticky substance get stuck in between teeth and in the grooves of teeth and eat away tooth enamel.  And then there’s juice.  Giving a child juice is a common occurrence but many juices are packed with sugar and have little to no nutritional value.

Now we’re not telling you to cut all of these food items out of your child’s diet.  When you do give your children certain foods and beverages just make sure to clean their teeth well afterwards.  Some simple switches can also help keep their teeth healthy as well such as eating whole wheat foods instead of refined starchy foods and giving your child water rather than juice or soda.

DO avoid pacifiers, bottles, and thumb sucking

Bottles and pacifiers play a big role in your child’s life when they’re young but it is important to know when to wean your child from the bottle or pacifier.  Every child is different.  Some may kick the habit quickly and some may fight you tooth and nail to keep their bottle and pacifier around.  You are the best judge at when to wean your child from a pacifier but it is recommended to limit its use once your child starts to speak.  Pacifier’s put your child’s mouth in an unnatural position and talking around the pacifier can distort their speech.  A pacifier can also cause many different tooth problems such as causing openings in their bite, pushing teeth in unnatural directions (crooked), and creating gaps that may also cause lisps.  Limiting your child’s pacifier time or weaning them from it completely at an early age is best for their oral health. Finger and thumb sucking is very similar to using a pacifier and should be discouraged.

Bottle weaning, like the pacifier, is different for each child but the recommendation is to start weaning them from their bottle when they are about one.  At this point they have the dexterity and coordination to handle drinking from a cup.  Some pediatricians even recommend introducing your child to a sippy cup at six months old.  Sucking on a bottle has the same adverse effects as a pacifier but can also cause severe tooth decay often called bottle rot.  When the bottle spends a significant time in your mouth with milk and juices the sugar breaks down into harmful bacteria that eat through teeth quickly.  For good oral health it is best to wean your baby from bottles and pacifiers early.

DO realize that baby teeth ARE IMPORTANT!

We hear it all the time, baby teeth are just temporary so it really doesn’t matter if they get cavities, right? WRONG!  Baby teeth are just as important as permanent teeth.  They are used for chewing, speaking, and of course giving those cute smiles!  We can’t stress enough that creating good habits early is the most beneficial for your child’s oral health.  Never think that you can let your child’s oral health go uncared for just because they are “just baby teeth.”   Good habits today will keep your child’s smile healthy for the rest of their lives!