First Visit

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends regular dental visits for children at one year of age! Let the first tooth remind you that it’s time to see your pediatric dentist.

If this is your child’s first trip to the dentist, you as a parent will play a large roll in preparing your child for this visit. Children are keen and can see if you are nervous or display any anxiety.

You can help to make their first trip to the dentist enjoyable and positive. A few tips include using positive language around your child when discussing his/her first visit and role playing with your child such as counting teeth together. Children’s books and videos are available at most bookstores to also help with your first visit. Your child’s dental visit should be an important and fun adventure that if you are relaxed and positive about this experience, it will help them be positive, too.

You may choose whether or not you accompany your child to the exam chair. Although we sense that some children do better without parents present, we are open to having you with your child. If you choose to be present, please follow the Parent Guidelines located in the Patient Forms section of our website. These guidelines are set by our office to improve the chance of a positive experience.

We are selective in our use of words during your child’s treatment. Our team members avoid using words that may scare your child. Please be supportive by NOT USING negative words. Our intention is not to “fool” your child, but rather it is to create an experience that is positive. Below is an example of the choice of words we prefer to use in our office.

  • Instead of
  • Needle or Shot
  • Drill
  • Pull or Yank a Tooth
  • Decay or Cavity
  • Drill on a tooth
  • Examination
  • Tooth Cleaning
  • Explorer
  • Rubber Dam
  • Please Use
  • Sleepy Juice
  • Whistle
  • Wiggle a tooth out
  • Sugar Bug
  • Wash a tooth
  • Count the teeth
  • Tickle the tooth
  • Tooth Counter
  • Raincoat

The first visit will start with a review of your child’s medical and dental history and an initial examination, which includes “counting his/her teeth.” After a comprehensive examination of your child, any dental findings will be directly discussed with you. Dental X-rays (pictures) are taken, if necessary, to ensure a thorough examination followed by oral hygiene instructions to emphasize proper oral health care.

All aspects of a preventive dental health program including diet, hygiene and fluoride will also be discussed.

If your child is three or older, a cleaning and polishing of their teeth will usually follow along with fluoride application. For optimal communication, we will explain each of our procedures in terms your child can understand. We want to make your child’s first appointment a positive experience in order to set the tone for future appointments. If any dental findings indicate preventative or restorative treatment, than subsequent appointments may be scheduled.

It is always better to make a first dental appointment before your child has a dental problem. By starting an early prevention program, future dental problem can be avoided. Often times, if tooth decay is detected early enough, there are therapies available that can be used to reverse or minimize their growth. Furthermore, by introducing your child when little dental treatment is needed, he/she becomes a better patient with a more positive attitude about dentistry.