Our
office, as well as the The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the
American Dental Association (ADA), and the American Academy of
Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) all recommend establishing a "Dental
Home" for your child by one year of age. Children who
have a dental home are more likely to receive appropriate preventive
and routine oral health care.
The Dental Home is
intended to
provide a place other than the
Emergency Room for parents.
You can make the first visit to the dentist
enjoyable and positive. If old enough, your child should be informed
of the visit and told that the dentist and their staff will explain
all procedures and answer any questions. The less to-do concerning
the visit, the better.
It is best if you refrain from using words around
your child that might cause unnecessary fear, such as "needle",
"shot", "pull", "drill" or "hurt". The office makes a practice of
using words that convey the same message, but are pleasant and
non-frightening to the child.
We invite you to stay with your child during the
initial examination. During future appointments, we suggest you
allow your child to accompany our staff through the dental
experience. We can usually establish a closer rapport with your
child when you are not present. Our purpose is to gain your child's
confidence and overcome apprehension. However, if you choose, you
are more than welcome to accompany your child to the treatment room.
For the safety and privacy of all patients, other children who are
not being treated should remain in the reception room with a
supervising adult.
We strive to make each and
every visit to our office a fun one!

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