Our office, as well as the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that a child’s first dentist appointment take place by their first birthday or when they get their first tooth! The establishment of a dental home for children ensures that parents have the information needed to care for their child’s teeth and that children receive appropriate preventative and routine oral health care. New experiences for children (and adults) can be intimidating and scary. Building trust with our little ones much easier if we start off on the right foot. Emergency visits not always a fun first visit to the dentist. Bringing your child and ending on a happy note leaves everyone with a positive feeling about the dentist.
As you prepare for your child’s dental visit, use only positive words and encouragement. Please do not use words like “shot” or “drill” or “cry” or “scary”. This will cause unnecessary anxiety and make the visit difficult for your child. If you, the parent, are calm and positive, it is very likely that your child will be also. On your child’s first visit to our office, you and your child will be invited back to our new patient exam room. Dr. Harding and the assistant will walk the child through showing and explaining all of the tools used to check teeth. Typically the first visit is a simple cleaning and fluoride application. Patients under 4 typically do not require X-Rays and we leave the introduction of X-Rays to a later date. If you are uncomfortable with Fluoride application and/or X-Rays Dr. Harding understands and is happy to discuss your concerns, working together to find methods of care and treatment with which you are comfortable.
On following visits, for children over 3, your child will come back to the treatment area with the dental assistant. Studies and experience have shown that most children over the age of 3 react more positively when permitted to experience the dental visit on their own. We are committed to a team effort in providing the best and safest dental care for your child and establishing your child’s trust and independence. If you are uncomfortable leaving your child during their visit you are welcome to accompany them back and sit during their visit. We do hope to work toward both you and your child being comfortable enough to come back alone, feeling confident we at Ivy Dental are here to help.
Movies playing on the ceiling mounted monitors ( feel free to bring your child’s favorite movie) are available for appointments requiring treatment. Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) is also available to help calm any dental anxieties or fears about having treatment done.
We at Ivy Dental truly strive to be an office for the entire family and look forward to seeing the youngest members of the family along with the most mature.
Call or schedule online today and make an appointment today for the Entire Family!
Happy customer with a goodie bag to show Mom after her first easy dental appointment!