What do we hope or must accomplish during the first visit of the child to the dentist what steps or procedures?

We are accepting new patients!

Your Child's First Dental Visit


What do we hope or must accomplish during the first visit of the child to the dentist what steps or procedures?
During your child's first visit to our office, you may have some questions to ask us. We are happy to answer your questions at any time. Many parents ask us the following questions. We hope these answers will be helpful to you and to your child.

How may I best prepare my child if this is his/her first visit and what is the procedure at this visit?


You can prepare your youngster for his/her first visit to the dentist in several ways. Try to act relaxed and at ease. Children may sense a parent's anxiety. Tell your child that we will "count" and "take pictures" of his/her teeth. Do not use any fear-provoking words, such as "hurt," "drill," "pull," or "needle." Avoid statements like the "doctor will not hurt you." (If someone says to you, "Don't think of a banana," what is the first thing you think of? A banana! It's the same with the word "hurt.")

We will thoroughly explain each of our procedures to your child in terms of that he/she can understand. Be assured that we will treat your children as caringly as we treat our own.

What do we hope or must accomplish during the first visit of the child to the dentist what steps or procedures?
At this first visit, we will emphasize oral hygiene techniques to be practiced by both you and your child. We will answer any questions you may have. Depending on your child's age, comfort, and level of cooperation, we may do a cleaning and a fluoride treatment. We will perform a full examination of the teeth and gums and we will also evaluate their bite.

X-rays will be taken as necessary to ensure a thorough and comprehensive examination. Subsequent appointments for any necessary dental treatment will be scheduled as needed. When dental treatment has been completed, your child will be placed on a periodic exam schedule and you will receive a reminder card when a visit is due.

At the conclusion of your child's exam, the doctor will meet with you to explain her findings and recommend a course of treatment, if necessary. Before you leave the office, our financial secretary will discuss fees and payment options. Your goals as a parent and our goals as dentists are the same - to keep your child's teeth and mouth in good health and to make that process pleasant for everyone.

What is your philosophy of treatment?

What do we hope or must accomplish during the first visit of the child to the dentist what steps or procedures?

Our emphasis is on prevention, both in the dental office and at home. We recommend regular periodic exams and cleanings, and thorough home care routines. Home care includes limiting sweets, brushing two times a day, flossing at least once a day, and sometimes a topical application of fluoride. Because the primary teeth form the basis of the adult dentition, we will do everything possible to preserve the integrity of your child's dentition while fostering a healthy and relaxed attitude toward dental care.

What do we hope or must accomplish during the first visit of the child to the dentist what steps or procedures?

    • Our Locations
    • Medical Services
    • About Us
    • Research & Innovation
    • Patients & Visitors
    • For Health Professionals

    What do we hope or must accomplish during the first visit of the child to the dentist what steps or procedures?
    What do we hope or must accomplish during the first visit of the child to the dentist what steps or procedures?

    A Child's First Dental Visit Fact Sheet

    When should your child first see a dentist? You can take your child at a younger age, but experts recommend taking him or her within 6 months of the first tooth coming in (erupting), or by about 12 months at the latest.

    At this time, the dentist can give you information on:

    • Baby bottle tooth decay

    • Infant feeding practices

    • Mouth cleaning

    • Teething

    • Pacifier habits

    • Finger-sucking habits

    Prepare your child

    If possible, schedule morning appointments so young children are alert and fresh.

    Prepare a preschooler or older child for the visit by giving him or her a general idea of what to expect. Explain why it is important to go to the dentist. Build excitement and understanding.

    Prepare yourself

    Discuss your questions and concerns with the dentist. Remember that your feeling toward dental visits can be quite different from your child's. Be honest with your view of the dentist. If you have dental anxieties, be careful not to relate those fears or dislikes to your child. Parents need to give moral support by staying calm while in the dental exam room. Children can pick up parents' anxieties and become anxious themselves.

    Prepare the dentist

    At the first visit, give the dentist your child's complete health history. For a restoration visit, such as getting a cavity filled, tell the dentist if your child tends to be stubborn, defiant, anxious, or fearful in other situations.

    Watch how your child reacts. Many parents are able to guess how their child will respond and should tell the dentist. Certain behaviors may be linked to your child's age:

    • 10 to 24 months. Some securely attached children may get upset when taken from their parents for an exam.

    • 2 to 3 years. A securely attached child may be able to cope with a brief separation from parents. In a 2-year-old, "no" may be a common response.

    • 3 years. Three-year-olds may not be OK being apart from a parent when having a dental procedure such as getting a cavity filled. This is because most 3-year-olds are not socially mature enough to separate from parents.

    • 4 years. Most children should be able to sit in another room from parents for exams and treatment procedures.

    The first visit

    Your child's first dental visit is to help your child feel comfortable with the dentist. The first dental visit is recommended by 12 months of age, or within 6 months of the first tooth coming in. The first visit often lasts 30 to 45 minutes. Depending on your child's age, the visit may include a full exam of the teeth, jaws, bite, gums, and oral tissues to check growth and development. If needed, your child may also have a gentle cleaning. This includes polishing teeth and removing any plaque, tartar, and stains. The dentist may show you and your child proper home cleaning such as flossing, and advise you on the need for fluoride. Baby teeth fall out, so X-rays aren’t often done. But your child's dentist may recommend X-rays to diagnose decay, depending on your child's age. X-rays are also used to see if the root of a jammed baby tooth may be affecting an adult tooth. In general, it is best that young children not have dental X-rays unless absolutely needed.

    The second visit

    Just like adults, children should see the dentist every 6 months. Some dentists may schedule visits more often, such as every 3 months. This can build comfort and confidence in the child. More frequent visits can also help keep an eye on a development problem.

    Protect your children's teeth at home

     Here are some tips to protect your children's teeth:

    • Before teeth come in, clean gums with a clean, damp cloth.

    • Start brushing with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and a very small amount of toothpaste (the size of a grain of rice) when your child's first tooth appears. Use a pea-sized dab of fluoridated toothpaste after 3 years of age. This is when the child is old enough to spit out the toothpaste after brushing.

    • Prevent baby bottle tooth decay. Don't give children a bottle of milk, juice, or sweetened liquid at bedtime or when put down to nap.

    • Limit the time your child has a bottle. Your child should empty a bottle in 5 to 6 minutes or less.

    • Help your child brush his or her own teeth until age 7 or 8. Have the child watch you brush, and follow the same brushing pattern to reduce missed spots.

    • Limit foods and treats that increase tooth decay. This includes hard or sticky candies, fruit leather, and sweetened drinks and juice. Offer fruit rather than juice. The fiber in fruit tends to scrape the teeth clean. Juice just exposes the teeth to sugar.

    What do we hope or must accomplish during the first visit of the child to the dentist?

    At the first visit, the dentist will examine your baby's mouth to make sure everything is growing and developing properly and will check for dental caries, tongue ties, and any signs of injuries.

    How do I prepare my toddler for dentist?

    Break out your child's toothbrush and have them sit in a chair. Pretend you're the dentist and count and brush their teeth. Talk through what you're doing and why oral hygiene is so important. Then, swap roles or let your child have a turn being the dentist with a stuffed animal.

    When should a child get their first teeth cleaning?

    Though your child will, ideally, be visiting the dentist regularly starting at the age of 1 or so, the first dental cleaning will probably take place a little later than that, when more or most of the baby teeth have arrived. The first cleaning usually takes place during the toddler years, between 12 and 36 months.

    What does dentist do for 3 year old?

    Your dentist will briefly inspect your child's mouth for signs of decay. They'll also examine their bite, jaw alignment, and gums. Depending on your child's level of comfort during the visit, a hygienist may briefly clean their teeth. Some children undergo a fluoride preparation.