Office Visits
Our practice is committed to providing you and your family with safe, gentle, and high-quality dental care. We understand that your son or daughter may feel anxious about visiting the dentist. We are sensitive to children’s needs and it is our goal to make your child feel comfortable visiting our practice while we provide the best possible care.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Dental Association (ADA), and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) all recommend your child's first dental visit occur by the time your child reaches the age of one.
The first visit is all about your child — his or her comfort, happiness, and health.
During your child’s first visit, we will review their dental and medical history forms, take X-rays of their teeth and mouth if needed, and one of our hygienists will clean and polish their teeth, checking for any cavities or early signs of tooth decay or gingivitis. The doctor will then meet with you and your child to discuss the X-rays, help create an individual treatment plan, review dental and medical histories, and answer any questions or concerns that you or your child may have. We invite you to stay with your child for the first exam so that we gain your child's confidence and overcome apprehension.
For infants, or small children who are feeling nervous, we can perform a "knee to knee exam" where the child sits on the parent's lap for the exam.
Bring your smile, but also remember to bring these with you to your child’s first appointment:
- Your completed patient information form
- Your insurance card
A few tips before your child's first exam:
- You can make your child's first visit enjoyable and positive. If old enough, your child can be informed of the visit and told that the dentist and their team will explain all procedures and answer any questions.
- Remember to keep it positive for your child.
- It is best to refrain from using words around your child that may cause unnecessary fear, such as "needle," "shot," "poke," "yank," "pull," "drill," or "hurt." Pediatric offices make a practice of using words that convey the same message, but are pleasant and non-frightening to the child.
Regular checkups are an important part of maintaining a healthy smile!
The American Dental Association recommends that children visit the dentist every six months for regular checkups and routine teeth cleanings to keep their teeth and gums healthy.
We understand that your family has a busy schedule, so when you’re preparing for a dental visit, please remember that an appointment will last approximately 30 minutes.