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.
Parents are asked to step out of the room during X-Rays. You may
observe from the hallway. 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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