First Pediatric Visit
Your first tooth check!
How to Prepare for Your Child’s First Visit
A smooth visit starts with preparation—especially for parents! Helping your child feel safe and excited is key. Here are a few tips to make your first visit a happy one:
✓ Bring another adult to help. This will soothe your child during the exam, and allow for you to have time with the dentist
✓ Try to leave other children at home to minimize distractions
✓ Avoid scary words like “shot” or “drill”—stay positive!
✓ Explain that the dentist helps keep their smile strong and healthy
✓ Read a fun book about visiting the dentist beforehand. Anxiety can be vastly reduced if the child knows what to expect.
What to Expect During the Visit
We take a gentle, educational approach to first visits. Most of the appointment is about comfort, connection, and setting a healthy foundation.
✓ Review your child’s health and oral history
✓ Talk about habits like thumb sucking or pacifier use
✓ Examine developing teeth and gums
✓ Demonstrate brushing and flossing techniques
✓ Offer tips on teething, fluoride, and sippy cups
✓ Outline what’s coming next and set up your care plan
First Pediatric Visit FAQs
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Around their first birthday, or when the first tooth appears—whichever comes first.
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Fear of the dentist is completely normal for some children! Our team is specially trained to make dental visits comfortable, friendly, and even fun. We take a tell-show-do approach and use age-appropriate language so your child feels safe every step of the way.
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Please bring your child’s medical history, any questions you have, and your preferred comfort items like a toy or pacifier.
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Absolutely. In fact, we encourage it! We use a “knee-to-knee” approach so your child can look at you during the entire checkup.