Your child’s first visit
What to expect during your first visit to a pediatric dentist
At Kid Focus Dentistry, we recognize that your child’s experience with a pediatric dentist will shape their attitude towards going to the dentist as an adult. Therefore we want your child to have a positive experience with us. We also find that parents’ attitudes (like a fear of the dentist) can influence their children. Thus, the key to a pleasant and successful visit is the collaboration between parents and our dental staff.
We use specific, kid-friendly terminology to replace possibly intimidating words, and we ask parents to use the same terminology alongside us.
“When we examine your child’s mouth, we don’t fix our focus on just looking for cavities. We look at the overall oral environment, which plays a crucial role in the comprehensive health of your child.”
Your family’s first appointment
We believe that your child’s first visit to our pediatric dentistry is the most important one. This visit allows us to get to know your child’s personality and create a positive starting point for future appointments.
With every exam, we strive to educate our patients in the prevention of tooth decay. We want our patients to know how to prevent cavities through correct oral hygiene practices and a proper diet. It is very important to us at Kid Focus Dentistry that we not only take care of our patients during the visit but also provide them and their parents with the knowledge of how to have a healthier dental future.
First appointments include:
- Tour of our office
- Oral hygiene instructions
- X-rays
- Prophylaxis cleaning
- Fluoride treatment
- Dental hygiene exams
Children three years old and older
X-rays
First, we start by getting X-rays of your child’s teeth. For the initial visit, there will be two types of X-rays:
- Interproximal set X-ray. This allows us to see decay that cannot be observed in an oral exam.
- Growth and development X-ray. This enables us to see the visible teeth, the incoming teeth, as well as the head and neck structures.
Worried about radiation? Have no fear! The amount of radiation your child is exposed from both x-rays combined is equivalent to just 30 minutes of being in the Colorado sun.
Cleaning and exam
Next, your child will receive a cleaning (prophy), followed by an exam from the doctor. Every step of the exam will be explained with a “show-and-tell” technique, so your child is informed about each step, easing anxiety. After the exam, the doctor will sit down with the parents to go over X-rays and any areas of concern that were noticed during the child’s exam. The doctor and staff monitor your child’s emotional needs throughout every step of the visit. This way, we can customize each treatment your child’s specific needs.
Children under age three, nervous, or kids with special needs
For an X-ray to be clear, the patient needs to be completely still. For this reason, a dental visit for children under three or with special needs may go a little differently.
To start, our amazing staff provides helpful and practical information to parents. This includes education on preventing cavities through proper hygiene as well as suggestions for good dietary habits.
Afterward, the doctor exams your child using the “knee to knee” position instead of sitting in a chair. This allows the dentist to fully see into your child’s mouth while they still have the comfort of being with the parent.
The doctor will answer all your questions, go into depth with her findings, and help design a unique plan that can promote oral health, treat cavities, and deal with other issues.
Please check out our parent guidelines to understand how you as a parent can help the appointment go as smoothly as possible.
Ongoing hygiene appointments
Children and young adults need exams more often because due to the shapes and sizes of their teeth it is easier for them to get cavities. A child’s diet tends to contain higher sugar and carbohydrates than an adult’s, so it can take as little as 3 months to develop a new cavity.
- X-rays
- Prophylaxis cleaning
- Fluoride treatment
