Preparing Your Child
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry advises that a child's initial dental visit should occur by age one or within six months of the first tooth eruption, whichever comes first. Establishing a dental home early is crucial, and there are compelling reasons for adopting this concept:
- We engage in thorough discussions with parents about oral health and disease prevention, covering topics such as oral hygiene, diet counseling, oral habits, fluoride, dental trauma, and dental growth and development.
- A comprehensive examination ensures your child's oral cavity is healthy and devoid of infections, congenital anomalies, or other defects/pathology. Research indicates that routine dental visits at a young age significantly reduce the risk of dental decay. Identifying decay in its early stages allows us to discuss preventive measures before it progresses, potentially avoiding the need for treatment.
- Establishing a positive, healthy, and trusting relationship with children is a priority. Regular dental visits from a young age foster cooperation during exams and radiographs by age 3. It's essential to convey to your child that the dentist is a friendly doctor dedicated to helping them stay healthy, framing the visit as a positive and important experience.
We communicate with our young patients in child-friendly language, using terms like 'brushing teeth' instead of 'cleaning' or 'prophy,' 'straw' in place of 'suction,' and 'counting teeth' rather than 'exam.' These simple translations aim to make the experience less intimidating for our youngest patients.
In summary, a visit to our practice can be an enjoyable adventure for both you and your child.
What To Expect On Your First Visit
During your child's initial visit, our dental team will warmly introduce themselves, familiarizing your child with the various instruments we use. Together, we'll emphasize the significance of preventive home care practices to promote the health and strength of your child's teeth.
For youngsters around the age of 4, we may take radiographs for the first time, alongside a comprehensive examination and cleaning, all conducted at your child's comfortable pace.
For children under 3 years old, radiographs are typically not required. Instead, these visits focus on a parental interview, dietary counseling, oral hygiene guidance, and habit cessation. The cleaning and examination are performed using the "knee-to-knee" approach, where the child lies on the parent's lap, legs around the waist, and the head on the dentist's lap. Although some children may fuss during this gentle examination, it's important to note that no harm is done.
Our dedicated team, led by Dr. Mai, strives to reassure and comfort your child throughout the process. We may even engage in singing to create a calming atmosphere and make the experience more enjoyable for your little one.
We're at your child's pace
Our goal is to ensure that our patients leave our office feeling happy. Having pleasant visits is crucial for children as it helps them build trust and confidence that will have a lasting impact. If any additional treatment is needed, we will discuss it with you and schedule it for a later date.
Our objective is to establish a strong and direct connection with your child, aiming to quickly earn their trust. We have observed that children tend to react more positively when given the opportunity to be independent.
It is important not to get upset if your child cries. It is common for children to feel scared or anxious when faced with something new or unfamiliar, and crying is a natural response to fear. To support your child during future visits, it is helpful to provide positive and encouraging words, such as "You showed great bravery today" or "Getting your teeth counted was easier than you thought." These affirmations will assist your child in their subsequent visits.
Our goal is to ensure that every visit to our office is enjoyable and entertaining!
Appointment Policy
Our office strives to arrange appointments at your convenience and whenever time permits.
For the comfort of preschool children, we recommend morning appointments when they are fresher, allowing us to proceed at a comfortable pace.
Dental appointments are considered excused absences from school, and we'll provide a note for the day. Consistent dental care helps minimize the impact on school attendance.
As our appointed times are reserved exclusively for each patient, we kindly request a 48-hour advance notice for any appointment changes. This allows us to efficiently accommodate other patients who may need our care, understanding that unexpected events may occur.
- Plan to arrive at least 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment if you need to complete forms.
- We offer a 15-minute grace period for appointment times. If you anticipate a delay beyond 15 minutes, please call our office to reschedule.
- Repeated broken or missed appointments may result in our office not scheduling subsequent appointments after two instances without a 48-hour notice.
- A parent or legal guardian (with official documentation) must be present during the initial examination and any restorative appointments.
If you have any questions at any time, please don't hesitate to call our office. We are here to assist in any way we can and eagerly anticipate meeting your family soon!
First Visit Pointers
Do
Consider scheduling early appointments that do not coincide with nap or mealtime, as young children tend to fare better when they are well-rested.
Optimal timing for a young child's dental visit is in the morning. The initial dental experiences play a crucial role in shaping your child's long-term perception of dentist visits. Prioritize these early appointments, as even a brief absence from preschool can contribute to a lifetime of dental visits free from anxiety for your child.
Demonstrate a positive example by ensuring your child observes your consistent practice of brushing and flossing.
Don't
Avoid revealing any apprehension about visiting the dentist to the child.
Refrain from using a dental visit as a form of punishment, and discourage anyone from sharing frightening stories about dental experiences with your child.
Avoid attempting to bribe your child into visiting the dentist, as promising a special gift can create suspicion. Offering rewards may imply that there is something to be afraid of, so it's best to approach dental visits without such incentives.
Refrain from scheduling a visit when your child is unwell, as they may have an uncomfortable experience, and there's a risk of spreading infection to other children in the practice.
The presence of a parent or legal guardian is mandatory on the day of your child's initial dental visit. We cannot commence your child's appointment without the accompaniment of either a parent or legal guardian.
