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.

Please take the time to talk with your child about their upcoming first dental visit. We encourage you to be positive even if you suffer from dental anxiety yourself. There’s no need to over-prepare your child for their first visit. We encourage parents to stay positive and stress-free. Children can sense anxiety, so it’s important not to use words such as hurt, shot, drill, or needle to prevent your child from fearing their visit. Our well-trained staff will convey the same message with words that are pleasant and non-frightening to your child.

• Evaluate growth and development of the teeth, gums, and surrounding structures.
• Give parents anticipatory guidance (i.e., what to expect next, how to brush properly, etc).
• Advise on age-appropriate home care habits to decrease the need for future dental treatment.
• Radiographs (x-rays) are an important part of a thorough examination. X-rays may be recommended based on the clinical exam.
• Dental prophylaxis (cleanings) are recommended at the first visit and every few months, tailored to your child’s needs.

We will have you fill out the new patient paperwork before we start to collect all relevant information, like medical history and contact information. You can also download the new patient paperwork to speed up your appointment. We ask that you bring any relevant dental insurance info if you have it. We look forward to your visit!