When it comes to giving your child positive dental experiences and building trust, their first dental visit is absolutely crucial. Our caring pediatric dentist and team go the extra mile to make your child’s very first dental visit a great experience so that they can develop positive associations with visiting the dentist and feel comfortable in our office in the future. Our goal is to start your child on a lifetime journey of healthy, confident and beautiful smiles.
When Should Children Have Their First Dental Visit?
You may wonder when the best time for your child to have their first visit is. We, along with the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry, recommend that children visit the dentist for the first time within six months of their first tooth erupting, or no later than their first birthday.
These early visits almost never involve treatment – they are meant to help establish a “dental home” for your child so that they can feel comfortable in the dental office. Here at Daghlian Pediatric Dentistry & Sokolowski Orthodontics, we take that a step further. We are a “concierge” pediatric practice, meaning that we always put your child first and take all the time needed to ensure that their needs are met. We will always spend time one-on-one with you and your child to answer your questions, address your concerns, and ensure that your child is receiving the individual attention and care they need. We may even schedule multiple appointments with you before providing any treatments for your child.
What To Expect At Your Child’s First Visit
Dr. Rita Daghlian and our team will be in touch with you even before you bring your child in for their first visit. We want you to feel completely comfortable and confident when you arrive at our office, and we will make sure you know what to expect when you arrive and how you can prepare your child for their first dental appointment. We have a strong believe in positive reinforcement and have found that one-on-one interaction helps build children’s confidence and acceptance of dental care, so don’t be surprised if we hold your child’s hands, walk them up to our front desk to get a prize, or shower your child with attention and compliments.
A typical first appointment at our office will include:
- Our team greeting you and your child.
- A review of your child’s and your family’s health history.
- A review of your child’s oral habits, pacifier use, diet and general development
- A gentle examination of your child’s teeth and gums (we will note any teeth which may erupt in coming months)
- Our pediatric dentist and team will provide you with advice on brushing and flossing your child’s teeth, how to prevent oral injury and any other information you need to care for your child’s teeth at home
- We will discuss your child’s current oral health with you in detail, and make recommendations about their oral habits, the types of toothbrush and toothpaste they should be using, their diet and their pacifier use
- We will address any questions or concerns you may have
At the end of your child’s appointment, we will schedule their next visit – we recommend bringing your child in every six months for a routine dental checkup and exam.
A Few Tips
Remember, if you are calm, your child will feel calm. You can help your child feel more comfortable and happier in the dental office by being positive and calm yourself. You can encourage your child to develop positive associations with visiting the dentist by avoiding threatening language and providing positive explanations about what will happen during the appointment.
Please feel free to call and ask about ways you can prepare your child for their appointment and help them feel more at ease during their visit.
A Foundation For Healthy Smiles – Your Child’s Dental Home
Your child’s early dental experiences have a strong influence on how they feel about visiting the dentist for the rest of their life. Your child’s initial visits with Dr. Daghlian are designed to establish a “dental home” for your child – somewhere they feel safe and comfortable, and where they can develop positive and trusting relationships. Our team will go the extra mile to make our office a welcoming environment and help your child feel at ease.
We will also take the time to help you feel comfortable and confident in our care and in bringing your child to see us. We want to be your partners in caring for your child’s health and smile. You will be involved in and fully informed of each step of your child’s care – you will always be in the room and every treatment plan will be thoroughly reviewed with and approved by you before it is implemented.
Something that we emphasize here at Daghlian Pediatric Dentistry & Sokolowski Orthodontics is preventive care. Preventive dentistry is foundational for your child’s lifelong oral health, and our pediatric dentist and team will provide education for both of you so that you can help your child learn the best ways to take care of their smile as they grow. Our holistic and functional approach to your child’s care helps promote excellent oral health as well as your child’s overall wellbeing, and you can always rely on us to design individualized treatment plans that emphasize a healthy mouth as well as a healthy quality of life.
Schedule Your Child’s First Appointment!
Give us a call today to schedule your child’s first dental appointment in Newport Beach or Huntington Beach, California! We also welcome you to call with questions or to schedule an interview with Dr. Daghlian and our team before bringing your child in for an appointment with.