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At what age
should my child see the dentist?
Our office, as well as the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry,
recommends that your child visit the dentist within six months after
the first tooth erupts. The purpose of this first visit is to
establish a positive relationship with your child and evaluate your
child’s dental health. We will also introduce you to dental hygiene
practices that will aid you in properly caring for your child’s
teeth. By starting dental visits at an early age, you will help
your child have a favorable outlook towards dental care throughout
life. What should I expect during the first visit?
At this first visit, we will answer any questions you may have and
do a comprehensive examination of your child's mouth. This will
include an examination of the teeth and supporting structures. Your
child's bite (occlusion) and oral hygiene will also be evaluated.
Usually, we will clean a child's teeth at this first visit.
Application of topical fluoride will depend on the child's age and
the need for X-rays will be determined on a case by case basis.
Nutrition counseling and oral hygiene instructions will be provided
as needed. Treatment does not begin at the first visit unless an
emergency situation exists. How should I prepare my child for the first visit?
Parents often
wonder how to prepare their child for a dental visit. Your child
should be informed of the visit and told that the doctor and staff
will explain all procedures and answer any questions. The less to-do
concerning the visit, the better. 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". The office
makes a practice of using words that convey the same message, but
are pleasant and non-frightening to the child. Parents can help by
being positive and not sharing any fears you may have had with past
dental experiences. What if my Child Cries? New people, places and experiences can cause anxiety in young children. Crying can be a normal reaction for a young child in these situations. We anticipate crying in some small children and our goal is to help alleviate your child’s fears. The more relaxed we (parent and dental staff) are, the sooner the child will overcome his/her anxiety. For your convenience prior to visiting our office, please Click here to print the New Patient Form, complete the information and bring it with you to your first visit. To print the form you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat, please click here to download it for free to your computer.
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Children's Dental Center - Dr. Timothy Kinzel,
Dr. Eric teDuits, Dr. Daniel DeJarlais, and Dr. Allison Dowd Copyright © 2005
Children's Dental Center of Madison, S.C. All Rights Reserved. Web Site Designed by Dentists4Kids.com |
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