Infant Baby Exam
| Toddler/Child Exam
|
Do I Stay with my Child During the Visit?
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For the
Older Child
Anxiety
Management |
New
Patient Health Form |
Personalized_Coloring_Book | Tooth
Fairy Letter
 All children
including those with special needs are
welcome and seen in our office. We are
committed to making your child’s first and
future visits as fun and pleasurable as
possible. The entire staff strives to create
a non-threatening environment that your
child will look forward to returning to.
You play a big role in
your child’s visit and there are some things
you can do to help create a positive
experience. First, your child should be
informed of the visit and told that the
dentist and their staff will explain all
procedures and answer any questions. Second,
tell your child that we are going to “count”
and “brush” their teeth. Tell them that we
may “take pictures” of their teeth as well.
This helps explain the visit in words they
are familiar with. Last, it is best if you
refrain from using words around your child
that may cause unnecessary fear, such as
“needle”, “shot”, “pull”, “drill”, or
“hurt”. These and other similar words can
make it very difficult to gain the child’s
cooperation and confidence.
Our office as well as
the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
recommends that your child visit the dentist
around their first birthday. At this visit
we will do a brief exam which will allow us
to evaluate your child's growth and
development and make sure their teeth are
erupting normally. We may also review oral
hygiene instructions and discuss other
issues such as bottle use, pacifier use,
oral habits, and/or nutrition.
For the child that is 3
years and older, the visit usually consists
of a comprehensive examination, x-rays,
cleaning, and a fluoride application. We
will review oral hygiene procedures, habits,
and nutrition. We will also discuss any
treatment needs and answer any questions you
might have about your child’s teeth or their
development.
We invite you to stay with
your child during the initial examination.
During future appointments, we suggest you
try to allow your child to accompany our
staff through the dental experience. We can
usually establish a closer rapport with most
children when parents are not present.
However, if you choose, you may come with
your child to the treatment room. We do ask
that only one parent accompanies the child
and that you offer support in the form of a
quiet
observer. Our goal is to gain your
child’s confidence and overcome apprehension
so that the visit will be a pleasant one.
For the safety and privacy of all patients,
other children who are not being treated
should remain in the reception room with a
supervising adult.
Your child’s appointment
always concludes with praise for a job well
done, a sticker and a balloon. A routine
six-month dental check-up will be scheduled
before you leave. This will allow us to
continue to follow your child’s growth,
development, and oral health and catch any
problems early when minimum treatment can
have a maximum effect.
 Besides the comprehensive examination,
x-rays and cleaning, in the older children
we will closely check their bite and the
eruption of the new permanent teeth. We will
also check to see if your child is a good
candidate for sealants.
Sealants: By
forming a thin covering over the pits and
fissures, sealants keep out plaque and food,
thus decreasing the risk of decay. Since,
the covering is only over the biting surface
of the tooth, areas on the side and between
teeth cannot be coated with the sealant.
Good oral hygiene and nutrition are still
very important in preventing decay next to
these sealants or in areas unable to be
covered.
Your child should refrain from
eating ice or hard candy, which tend to
fracture the sealant. Regular dental
appointments are recommended in order for
your child's dentist to be certain the
sealants remain in place.
The American
Dental Association recognizes that sealants
can play an important role in the prevention
of tooth decay. When properly applied and
maintained, they can successfully protect
the chewing surfaces of your child's teeth.
A total prevention program includes regular
visits to the dentist, the use of fluoride,
daily brushing and flossing, and limiting
the number of times sugar-rich foods are
eaten. If these measures are followed and
sealants are used on the child's teeth, the
risk of decay can be reduced or may even be
eliminated!
Pediatric
dentists have special training in helping
anxious children feel more comfortable and
secure during dental treatment. Occasionally
due to a child’s young age or their fears,
we may need to use a sedative technique to
help them relax and allow treatment. In our
office we offer nitrous oxide/oxygen,
conscious sedation, and if needed general
anesthesia performed in a local hospital.
See the
post-op & sedation page for more
information on these techniques.
For your convenience
prior to visiting our office, please click
on the link below to view and print the New
Patient Form. Complete the information
and bring it with you to your first visit.
My Visit to the Dentist
Personal Coloring Book
To help your child understand and enjoy their
first visit to our office,
please print a complimentary copy of
our personalized
coloring book.
Also a great keepsake to remember their first dental visit!
Boy Coloring Book
/ Girl Coloring Book
Parents, enjoy using this fun letter
from the Tooth Fairy. Besides being fun, it
helps educate your child on the importance of proper oral health care.
Tooth Fairy Letter
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