When is the Best Time to Bring Your Child to their First Dental Visit?
The American Academy of Pediatric dentistry recommends your child’s first visit to the dentist occur by age 1 or within 6 months of the first tooth eruption or earlier if you have specific concerns.
Are Parents Allowed in the Treatment Room
Absolutely! We do generally find that kids do great on their own but some kids still feel the need to have parents with them for the entire appointment. But eventually with time, patience and confidence, our goal is to make them independent in the treatment room.
What Should You Expect at the First Visit
Upon arrival, our dental assistant will come out to the waiting room to greet your child. She will then bring you and your child to the treatment room, where your child will be given the choice of picking a Netflix show just for kids. The assistant will take time to explain to the child what the dentist is going to do and show them the teeth tickler (teeth cleaning instrument), the slurpy straw (suction), special vitamins for their teeth (fluoride) to name a few.
The parents will have a chance to meet the doctor, discuss proper diet, nutrition and good oral hygiene habits. A professional dental cleaning, fluoride therapy and necessary x-rays will follow this.
If your child needs fillings or extractions, we encourage you to not use words like shot, needles and hurt. Allow the dental team to explain to your child what to expect. We are trained just for that!