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Your child's comfort is our priority!
We invite you to participate in your child's appointments for a reassuring, collaborative dental visit.
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At ABC Pediatric Dentistry, your first visit will be focused on getting to know each other! We want to spend quality time with each and every patient and their parents to help you both have positive experiences in our office and to accomplish your goals. There is no need to be anxious or nervous for your child’s first appointment, as we will simply get to know you, provide some tips and education, and perform some routine preventive care. Our main goals are to help your child enjoy coming to the dentist and to empower them with the information they need to learn how to take care of their teeth in order to grow up with a healthy mouth and beautiful smile – because healthy smiles mean happy kids!
It is recommended by both the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Medical Association to bring your child in for their first dental visit by age one, or when their first tooth emerges (whichever happens first). Even though few teeth will be present, this visit is important in order to establish a dental home. Familiarizing your child with their dentist and dental team from a young age will help them feel more relaxed and at ease during appointments as it will become part of their normal routine. But don’t worry! If your child is a bit older and you haven’t gotten around to making that first appointment, there’s no better time to start than now.
We understand that going to the dentist can be intimidating, or even scary, both for your child and for you. You may have had less-than-fun experiences going to the dentist in the past, but at ABC Pediatric Dentistry, we want to create a generation of patients who have great experiences going to the dentist, learn ways to prevent cavities, and grow up to have beautiful, healthy smiles they are proud to show off!
The best way for you to prepare your child for their first dental appointment is not to try to prepare them. Just as you wouldn’t make a big deal about going to the grocery store or to the gas station, don’t put too much emphasis on going to the dentist. Especially, do not try to prepare them by “warning” them that “it won’t hurt,” “it will be easy,” “hopefully you won’t have any cavities,” “they won’t do anything.” Simply share with your child that they get to go to the dentist – just as if they were going to the zoo or the library. If your child asks for more details, you can share with your child that at the dentist they will get to brush their teeth, watch movies on a TV that is on the ceiling, count their teeth, and get a prize! We will help walk your child through all of the details of the appointment once they are at the office.
Also, remember to stay calm. Your child can sense if you are feeling anxious and they’ll be looking to you to gauge how to feel. Keep it light, upbeat, and positive. Our goal is the same as yours, for your child to have a fun and happy experience.
A “dental home” is a concept used in pediatric dentistry, and it refers to the dental office where your child receives the majority of their dental care as they grow up. Having a “dental home” like ABC Pediatric Dentistry has a number of benefits.
First, it ensures that your child becomes familiar with the process of visiting the dentist, and begins building good life-long oral hygiene habits that will stay with them as they grow older and more independent.
Your child will also be able to develop a real relationship with Dr. Conner and the staff at ABC Pediatric Dentistry, which means they’ll feel less nervous about coming to the dentist, and they will be less likely to develop dental anxiety.
Finally, Dr. Conner will be able to develop a custom treatment plan based on your child's needs, and ensure that they get the best possible level of dental care for their unique needs.
You’ll meet the office staff, the team, and Dr. Conner But don’t worry, if your child is shy or it takes a little while to warm up to us. We’re patient and understanding!
Once we’ve gotten acquainted, Dr. Conner will take some time to sit down with you to discuss your child’s dental needs, their unique personality, and your lifestyle.
After a thorough consultation and gentle examination, Dr. Conner will go over his findings with you and offer advice and recommendations tailored to your child’s needs.
You’ll hold your little one on your lap, so you can comfort them and make sure they feel safe throughout the appointment. Dr. Conner will begin by gently cleaning your child’s gums and any individual teeth that may have already erupted. This keeps your child’s mouth clean and healthy.
After your child’s gums and teeth are clean, Dr. Conner will take a deeper look at their oral health. Dr. Conner will discuss his findings with you. X-rays are sometimes taken at your child’s first appointment, and may be taken during future appointments with your approval.
After your child’s oral exam has been completed, Dr. Conner will answer any questions you may have about their oral health, what to expect from teething, how their teeth will develop in the coming years, and more. Then, you’ll schedule a six-month follow-up for your child and head home.
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