Along with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, we recommend that a child’s first dental visit be scheduled by his/her first birthday. That’s right, the first birthday! This is a newer model, based more on prevention. It is similar to a well-baby check-up at the pediatrician’s office. A 2004 study by Savage et. al. shows that dental costs for children who have their first dental visit before age one are 40% lower in the first five years of life than those who do not see a dentist prior to their first birthday. This makes sense because the older model was to wait until age four or five when “holes” had already formed in the teeth. We would much rather focus on prevention instead of fixing cavities.
For children ages one to three, we will likely perform a “lap to lap” exam. It is normal at this age to not be able to sit in the dental chair yet. We understand.
Parents should not make a big deal out of the visit and refrain from using any words that could cause unnecessary fear, such as “needle”, “hurt” or “drill.” We are experienced in dealing with children with anxiety and can explain treatment procedures in a positive and pleasant manner to avoid any anxious or negative feelings.
A parent is welcome to accompany their child on the first visit. For ages four and over, we encourage children to come back alone as studies show that children over three react more positively when allowed to experience the visit on their own.