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.
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.
The Dental Home is intended to provide a place for dental care other than the Emergency Room.
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 without frightening children.
We Invite You to Join Us for Their First Examination
We invite you to accompany your child to the initial examination. During future appointments, we suggest you allow your child to accompany our staff through the dental experience while you wait in the reception area. Our purpose is to gain your child’s confidence and overcome apprehension, and we can usually establish a closer relationship with your child when you are not present. However, you are more than welcome to accompany your child to the treatment room. For the safety and privacy of all patients, other children who are not being treated should remain in the reception area with a supervising adult.
Motivational Charts
Your child will enjoy healthy dental habits when they use these Motivational Charts. Encourage regular brushing or help them break the thumbsucking habit.
Activity Sheets
Want something fun to do? Print one or all of the below Activity Sheets to see if you can conquer the Dental Crossword Puzzle, find all of the Hidden Toothbrushes, Unscramble the Dental Words, or find the Hidden Dental Words. We know you can do it!
