First Visit
Along with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, we recommend that a child’s first dental visit be scheduled by his/her 1st birthday. However, we are happy to see children at an earlier age if there are any concerns regarding any aspect of their dental health. You can help make the first visit to our office enjoyable and positive. Your child should be informed of the visit and told that the dentist and his/her helpers will explain all procedures and answer any questions. All instruments are shown to your child who can touch and experience them on their fingers before your child even opens their mouth.
In our aspiration to make dentistry a comfortable and even fun experience for your child, we use a special language to re-phrase or re-word much of the dental terminology which can make even adults a bit nervous. Here’s a brief introduction into the terminology we use for the first visit:
- Explorer = tooth counter
- Cleaning brushhead = tooth tickler
- Floss = tooth string
- Fluoride foam = tooth vitamins
- Operatory light = flashlight
- X-rays = tooth pictures
- Cavity causing bacteria = cavity bugs
Do I Stay with My Child During the Visit?
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 may come with 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.
