Our office, as well as the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, recommends that your child visit the dentist by his/her 1st birthday. You can make the first visit to the dentist enjoyable and positive. Your child should be informed of the visit and told that the dentist and their staff will explain all procedures and answer any questions. The less to-do concerning the visit, the better.
It is best if you refrain from using words around your child that might cause unnecessary fear.
Avoid words such as:
The office makes a practice of using words that convey the same message, but are pleasant and non-frightening to the child.
There is much to be learned at the new patient visit, as well as follow up visits, for both the child and parent so we like the parents to come into the examination room with the child most of the time. Sometimes we will encourage younger siblings to come as well so they can see how well their big brother or sister does. If our pediatric doctors think it is in the child’s best interest for the parent to stay outside the examining room for some of the time, we ask your cooperation in advance.