New Patients

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Along with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, we recommend that a child’s first dental visit be scheduled by his/her 1st birthday. It is very important to make the first visit as positive and enjoyable for the child as possible. This will help establish your child’s “dental home.” We want your child to enjoy getting to know our doctors and staff and be comfortable at all times. A pleasant, comfortable first visit builds trust and helps put the child at ease during future dental visits. Let the child know that the doctors and staff will explain everything in detail and will answer any questions he/she has. Children should be encouraged to discuss any fears or anxiety they feel.

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” 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 toward dentistry.

You have the option to accompany your child throughout our office during his/her appointment. Some children do better without parents present; however, we are comfortable if you’d like to sit with your child during the visit. If you wish to be present, we kindly suggest these guidelines to improve the chances of your child having a positive dental experience!

  • Please allow us to prep your child for treatment.
  • Please welcome our terminology and try to incorporate some of our dental terms when talking with your child about their dental visit.
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We are selective in our words and try to use kid-friendly terms so that each child can have a pleasant visit in our office. We avoid using words that may easily scare children, and we substitute scary dental words, such as “drill” with “tooth washer”; “shot” with “sleepy juice” or “numbing medicine”. We ask that you help us by avoiding words with negative connotations that are often associated with dental care.

Learning our kid-friendly dental lingo will also help you understand your child's description of his/her dental visit! Our intention is not to "trick" the child, but to facilitate a dental examination and office experience that is pleasant. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us establish a positive attitude toward dentistry and our office for your child.

We will record the child’s dental and medical history, complete a comprehensive examination and discuss any findings with you. We will also review the importance of maintaining a good dental health program with you and your child to ensure a healthy and beautiful smile for life!