What to Expect at Your Child’s First Visit

            Thank you for allowing us to provide your child’s dental care; you have paid us the highest compliment by doing so.  Our office, as well as the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, recommends that your child first visit the dentist within 6 months of the eruption of his/her first tooth or by one year of age, whichever occurs first.

            You can help us make the first visit as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.  Please talk to your child about the visit but discuss the visit in upbeat positive terms.  Do not go into great detail about what will occur.  Tell him or her that we are going to “count” their teeth and that we might “take pictures” of the teeth.  Please refrain from using any words that might cause unnecessary fear such as “needle”, “pull” or “drill”.  We will explain our procedures to your child in terms designed to be pleasant and non-threatening.  The first visit is not uncomfortable and should be a positive experience for your child.

            At the first visit your child’s medical and dental history will be reviewed.  A head and neck examination will be completed.  Your child’s teeth, oral tissues and jaws will be examined.  Your child’s teeth may be cleaned and polished (unless your child has several areas of decay or is very young) and a fluoride solution may be applied.  Dental radiographs (“x-rays”) of your child’s teeth may also be obtained.  Brushing and flossing instructions will be given and reviewed so that your child may do a better job of maintaining proper oral health.  Nutrition may be reviewed.  After these procedures have been completed, the doctor or a staff member will meet with you to review the findings, make recommendations and answer any questions you may have.

            You are encouraged to accompany your child at all times during the initial visit.  We believe this gives us the opportunity to meet each other and to develop a comfort level for the continued and successful dental care for your child.

            For your convenience we have placed our office forms on line for your review or use.  You may choose to open these forms using Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat.  For the first visit, please complete our Registration Form and either bring it with you to the first appointment or e-mail it to us.  Please complete all sections of the Registration Form which includes:

1. Registration and Insurance Information
2. Dental and Medical History
3. Confidentiality Statement
4. Consent and Release
5. Financial Policy
6. Acknowledgement of Receipt of Notice of Privacy Practices

Please also review our Notice of Privacy Practices prior to completing #6 above.