Our office, as well as the The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Dental Association (ADA), and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) all recommend establishing a “Dental Home” for your child by one year of age. Children who have a dental home are more likely to receive appropriate preventive and routine oral health care.
Age 1 Visits
Our age 1 visit is for you — the parents! We provide you with the information you need to care of your child’s smile. You can prevent costly dental work in the future by knowing what to do with your child’s diet and hygiene as well as your own.
Initial Exam
For children 2 and older, our New Patient visit includes an orientation to the office, soft tissue examination, scaling and polishing, necessary x-rays, fluoride treatment, oral hygiene instruction, dental development evaluation, dietary and nutritional counseling, and patient/parent education. We encourage mom and dad to be present with their child during their entire visit. We teach you and your child how to best care for their teeth, advice on eating habits and answer any specific questions you may have. We explain how cavities are caused, what we can do to prevent them and how your children can help fight gum and tooth disease by brushing properly. All information is provided in an age appropriate manner to help nurture and encourage your child. We pack a lot into this first visit!
We feel parental presence to familiarize small children is very important. However, we encourage older children to develop a one-on-one relationship with the dental team. We find this develops confidence and encourages positive behavior and attitude towards future dental visits.
What Should I Tell my Child before the First Visit?
You can explain to your child that the dentist wants to be a friend and help care for his or her teeth. “At the first visit, the dentist will count your teeth, clean them with a special tickling toothbrush, and take some pictures of your mouth.” Never tell a child that the dentist will not hurt, as this may never have entered the child’s mind, but rather, that the dentist will be very gentle.