New Patients
New Patients
Your Child’s First Visit
A child’s first dental appointment should not be intimidating or threatening in any way. In our office, we strive to create the most inviting and comfortable, family-friendly environment possible so that your child will feel right at home upon entering our office. If it is your child’s first visit, it should be a positive experience. Our offices use proven behavioral techniques to ensure your child has a comfortable, non-threatening experience. We use techniques such as nonverbal communication and positive reinforcement to help with the child’s experience during his or her dental appointment.
We encourage you to prepare your child for his or her visit by telling him or her that our friendly doctors and staff will happily answer any questions he or she may have. For children who are anxious or have stronger gag reflexes, we offer nitrous oxide. This technique can make your child’s experience easier by offering a calming way of relaxing your child. We aim to treat your children as if they were our own, and it is our priority to make your children feel comfortable in the dentist’s office so all your future visits will be as pleasant as possible.
WHEN & WHAT IS MY CHILD’S FIRST “REGULAR” VISIT?
The first “regular” dental visit should be no later than your child’s first birthday. We will gently examine your child’s teeth and gums. X-rays may be taken to reveal decay and check on the progress of your child’s permanent teeth under the gums. We may clean your child’s teeth and apply topical fluoride to help protect the teeth against decay. We will make sure your child is receiving adequate fluoride at home. Most important of all, we will review with you how to clean and care for your child’s teeth.
Feel free to download and print our Patient Registration form to fill out in advance for an easier check-in process.
FAQ
1. Insurance & Financing
We strive to provide our patients with the best quality care and we offer a variety of payment options to meet your needs.
2. What to do in a dental emergency
If you are experiencing a dental emergency, we ask that you call our office as soon as possible. Whether X-rays are necessary, brackets, bands or wires come loose, you are experiencing tooth pain or loosening, we will determine a solution in a timely manner.
3. What should I use to clean my baby's teeth?
A toothbrush will remove plaque bacteria that can lead to decay. Any soft-bristled toothbrush with a small head, preferably one designed specifically for infants, should be used at least once a day at bedtime.
4. What's the difference between a pediatric dentist and a family dentist?
Pediatric dentists are the pediatricians of dentistry. A pediatric dentist has two to three years specialty training following dental school and limits his/her practice to treating children only. Pediatric dentists are primary and specialty oral care providers for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health needs.
5. How can parents help prevent tooth decay?
Parents should take their children to the dentist regularly, beginning with the eruption of the first tooth. Then, the dentist can recommend a specific program of brushing, flossing, and other treatments for parents to supervise and teach to their children. These home treatments, when added to regular dental visits and a balanced diet, will help give your child a lifetime of healthy habits.
6. How do I make my child's diet safe for their teeth?
Make sure your child has a balanced diet, including one serving each of: fruits and vegetables, breads and cereals, milk and dairy products, and meat fish and eggs. Limiting the servings of sugars and starches will also aid in protecting your child’s teeth from decay. You can also ask your pediatric dentist to help you select foods that protect your children’s teeth.
7. How do I prevent cavities?
Brush, brush, floss! We encourage that each of our patients brush their teeth at least twice a day, if not after each meal. On top of that, you should be flossing your teeth daily.
8. Can I accompany my child in the hygene/cleaning area?
Absolutely! We know this can be a scary thing for a child to experience for the first time, so parents or guardians are more than welcome to accompany the child in the area.
9. How do I prepare my child for their frist visit?
We recommend trying to schedule a morning appointment because we see that children are often more alert and fresh in the mornings. We also encourage you to give your child a brief overview of what the process will be like, while encouraging them to ask us questions. We are here to help and we want to make sure they know that!
10. What should I expect for my child's first visit?
You can expect a thorough cleaning of your child’s teeth, a dental examination and X-rays. One of our dental hygienists will gently clean and examine your child’s teeth and gums which will then be examined by the dentist for a clean and polished smile.