Our office, as well as the The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Dental Association, and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry all recommend establishing a Dental Home for your child by their first birthday. Children with a dental home are more likely to receive proper preventive care, and routine oral health treatment and thus are less likely to experience dental disease as they get older.
You can make the first visit to the dentist enjoyable and positive. Inform your child of the visit and tell them 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". We make a practice of using words that convey the same message but are in “child friendly” terms and not frightening to your child.
We are an “open” dental environment. Parents are always welcomed into all of our clinical areas to accompany their children. We invite you to stay with your child during the initial examination, as well as future visits as we look at this as a team effort in providing the best and safest care for your child. Our purpose is to gain your child's confidence and to overcome apprehension.
Seating areas are provided for parents in the clinical areas and we encourage them to participate in their child’s dental experience. We will help to guide you, so that your presence will be of the greatest aid to your child’s visit. We do find on occasion, some children do better without a parent present if they require treatment. You know your child best, and this may be something to consider and discuss with the dentist. We take a very individualized approach to providing the best treatment and the best environment for your child during treatment.
It is our goal to make this a great experience for you and your child. 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 if possible.
