Office Visit
Our practice is committed to providing you and your family with safe, gentle, and high-quality dental care. We understand that your child may feel anxious about visiting the dentist. We are sensitive to children’s needs, and it is our goal to make your son or daughter feel comfortable visiting our practice while we provide the best possible care.
Bring your smile, but also remember to bring these to your child’s first appointment:
- Your completed patient information form
- Your insurance card.
Regular checkups are an important part of maintaining a healthy smile!
The American Dental Association recommends that children visit the dentist every six months for regular checkups and routine teeth cleanings to keep their teeth and gums healthy. We understand your family has a busy schedule, so when you’re preparing for a dental visit, please remember an appointment can last between 20 and 40 minutes.
We understand your family has a busy schedule, so when you’re preparing for a dental visit, please remember an appointment can last between 20 and 40 minutes.
Inform your child of the appointment. Tell your child that the dentist wants to get to know him/her; present this visit as an exciting experience for yourself and for your child. One way to convey good feelings to your child about dental visits is to remind them that going to the dentist is a sign that they are growing up.
Be incredibly positive about this experience. Avoid negative words such as “hurt, drill, pull, and shot”. Please do not tell your child that the “dentist will not hurt you” as this may never have entered his/her mind. Instead, you may wish to assure your child that the dentist and her helpers will be gentle and friendly. Talk about dentistry with a positive attitude. This initial examination involves nothing uncomfortable and should be perceived by the child as non-threatening.
Bring only the child that is to be seen for the dental visit so that both the parent and dental staff can concentrate on that child’s needs.
Suggestions to prepare your child for the initial exam
Tell your child that we will count, brush, and take pictures of his/her teeth. By explaining the exam and the cleaning in these terms, your child will better understand the situation.
Discuss dentistry honestly with your child when he/she asks you questions. Children listen to your tone of voice and can detect your feelings very easily. If your child has questions that are difficult for you to answer, please refer him/her to our pediatric dental team for the proper answer and discussion.
After the appointment, compliment your child’s good behavior at the dentist’s office in the presence of other members of the family.
Please do not tease or have anyone else tease your child before coming to the dentist. We’ve had several kids very nervous even though they’ve never been to a dentist because of teasing in a negative way.