Our office, as well as the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the American Dental Association (ADA) all recommend establishing a "Dental Home" for your child by one year of age. However, if you or your spouse or your families have a history of significant dental disease early on, we recommend seeing your child at about six months to monitor their early dental development and counsel you on best oral health practices for your young child. Children who have a dental home are more likely to receive appropriate preventive and routine oral health care.
You can make the first visit to the dentist enjoyable and positive. If old enough, 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, such as "needle", "shot", "pull", "drill" or "hurt". The office makes a practice of using words that convey the same message, but are pleasant and non-frightening to the child.
We will perform a risk assessment for your child at this visit. From that information, we will design an individualized preventive dental health program that includes tips on brushing, fluorides, and proper diet. We will do anticipatory guidance about growth and development and oral habit influences. We will also provide counseling on oral emergencies.
Each year, we see many children age two and younger with beginning dental problems. We know that early intervention is the only reasonable way to insure your child starts with good oral health. Dental check ups for your children should begin no later than twelve months and continue every six months thereafter.
When you begin your child's dental check ups, you are establishing a dental home for your child. We provide guidance for your growing child with periodic oral health evaluations in familiar surroundings. We also develop an invaluable knowledge about your child and are a resource of information for you at anytime. Our office is available 24 hours a day in case of emergencies. Your child's optimal oral health development is our goal.
Most children in our practice develop a comfort level during the first few visits. As a parent, your presence with your child reassures them. In cases when a young child needs treatment, a parent’s presence is usually a reassuring factor. In some cases, the child’s behavior will not allow treatment to continue. In these cases, the doctor will discuss options to complete the proposed treatment. 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.
Your child will enjoy healthy dental habits when they use these Motivational Charts. Encourage regular brushing or help them break the thumbsucking habit.
