The first dental visit is the foundation of a growing relationship between our dental office and your child. We feel it is important that your child be allowed to become familiar with our office environment and staff as soon as their teeth start to appear. At the new patient appointment the dentist and staff will spend quality time getting to know you and your child. We teach your child to be comfortable with dentistry by explaining the procedures and demonstrating the equipment in a fun and imaginative way. The office visit will include a thorough oral examination, x-rays if required, a cleaning and fluoride application.

A complete review of your child’s medical health and any special needs or concerns will be addressed. More complicated procedures, such as fillings, should be done at a later visit after your child has become familiar with the office. We conclude the first visit with an office tour. Your child will also receive stickers, a prize, toothbrush and floss, as well as an oral hygiene demonstration and nutrition counseling. You will receive a summary of your child’s oral health and future dental needs. We look forward to your visit and hope you and your child will have the dental experience of a lifetime.

Many parents want to know when their child’s first appointment should be scheduled. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a child’s first dental visit should be scheduled when the first tooth comes in and no later than their first birthday. Click here to see Pediatric Dentistry Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). We specialize in infant oral health exams and parent education. Baby teeth are needed for proper chewing, learning to talk, developing jaw muscles, and good self image. Healthy baby teeth mean a better chance for healthy adult teeth.

Our office places great emphasis on preventive measures. Cavities in baby or adult teeth may result in pain, swelling, and infection. Children with pain cannot concentrate in the classroom, may develop behavioral problems and are unable to eat properly. Without the ability to eat normally, development of the body and brain may suffer. Regular preventive visits every six months will minimize cavities and other dental problems.

We feel parental involvement is extremely important. Preparing your child for the first visit by reading recommended books, playing pretend dentist and being positive about the dental experience is very helpful. At the end of each appointment, parents are invited to reward their child with words of praise for a job well done. We enjoy establishing a trusting friendship with each child and their parents. We teach parents that it’s fun to converse with their child using our gentle dental terminology.

Nutritional counseling is provided to parents that will assist them with packing lunches and snacks for school. We also help parents figure out what may be the cause of cavities for their child and give them many ideas for preventing dental decay. Routine dental care, such as six-month cleaning and examination appointments, can also develop lasting friendships with our dental team. Children learn by watching their parents. Regular tooth brushing and flossing can be a fun family event.

Make appointment days easier for your child.  When possible, for young children we suggest that you try to make no other tiring plans for your child that day.  Often it is best to wait until the day of the appointment to inform a young child about a dental visit.  This does not give the child much time to wonder about the visit, or to hear any "neighborhood" dental experiences.  Please convey the feeling that dental visits are a part of growing up.  It is unwise to offer rewards or indicate in any way that there is anything to fear.  In the event that you bolster a child's courage prior to the dental visit, it might even have the opposite effect of frightening the child.

We strongly recommend a pretreatment conference between parent(s) and doctor prior to child's visit; either in person or by phone.