First Visit

The time to start bringing your child to the dentist isn when they first start teething and you can see teeth erupting through the gums. This can happen on average between 6-12 months (sometimes earlier or later depending on the child). The goal of the first visit is just to get your child used to the sounds, smells and sights of the dental office! We do complimentary first "happy visit" for children under 3 in order to build trust between the dental staff and your child. This often includes a chair ride, showing them the water and suctions and of course a trip to the prize chest at the end!

How can I prepare for my child’s first dental visit?

There are several things parents can do to make the first visit enjoyable. Some helpful tips are listed below:

Take another adult along for the visit – Sometimes infants become fussy when having their mouths examined. Having another adult along to soothe the infant allows the parent to ask questions and to attend to any advice the dentist may have.

Leave other children at home – Other children can distract the parent and cause the infant to fuss. Leaving other children at home (when possible) makes the first visit less stressful for all concerned.

Avoid threatening language – Our dentists and staff are trained to avoid the use of threatening language like “drills,” “needles,” “injections,” and “bleeding.”  It is imperative for parents to use positive language when speaking about dental treatment with their child.

Provide positive explanations – It is important to explain the purposes of the dental visit in a positive way. Explaining that the dentist “helps keep teeth healthy” is far better than explaining that the dentist “is checking for tooth decay and might have to drill the tooth if decay is found.”

Explain what will happen – Anxiety can be vastly reduced if the child knows what to expect. Age-appropriate books about visiting the dentist can be very helpful in making the visit seem fun. Here is a list of parent and dentist-approved books:

• The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist – by Stan and Jan Berenstain.
• Show Me Your Smile: A Visit to the Dentist – Part of the “Dora the Explorer” Series.
• Going to the Dentist – by Anne Civardi.
• Elmo Visits the Dentist – Part of the “Sesame Street” Series.

If you have questions or concerns about your child’s first dental visit, please contact our office.