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 as soon as the child's first tooth appears or at one year of age, whichever comes first.  Children who have a dental home are more likely to receive appropriate preventive and routine oral health care.

You can make the first visit to the dentist enjoyable and positive.  If old enough, your child should be informed of the visit and told that the dentist and their staff will explain all procedures and answer any questions.  The less anticipation concerning the visit, the better.

It is best if you refrain from using words around your child that might cause unnecessary fear, such as "needle", "shot", "pull", "drill" or "hurt".  The office makes a practice of using words that convey the same message, but are pleasant and non-frightening to the child.

We invite you to stay with your child during the initial examination.  During future appointments, we suggest you allow your child to accompany our staff through the dental experience.  We can usually establish a closer rapport with your child when you are not present.  Our purpose is to gain your child's confidence and overcome apprehension.  However, if you choose, you are more than welcome to accompany your child to the treatment room.  For the safety and privacy of all patients, other children who are not being treated should remain in the reception room with a supervising adult.

Again, your child’s first dental visit should take place after that first tooth appears, but no later than the first birthday.  Why so early?  As soon as your baby has teeth, he or she can get cavities.  Being proactive about your child’s dental health today can help keep his or her smile healthy for life. 

The dentist will examine your child to make sure their jaw and teeth are developing in the way they should.  During the visit, you could be seated in the dental chair with your child on your lap if your child isn’t able to — or doesn’t want to — sit in the chair alone.  The hygienist will clean your child’s teeth and give you tips for daily care.  Next, the dentist will check for mouth injuries, cavities or other issues.  If your child cries a little or wiggles during the exam, don’t worry, it’s normal and your dental team understands this is a new experience for your child.

At the end of the appointment, the dentist can answer any questions you may have — from pacifier use to the best nutrition for healthy teeth.  Setting a positive precedent for dental appointments at an early age can help children create lifelong oral hygiene habits!