What to Expect at Your Child’s First Visit to a Kid Friendly Dentist

The first appointment with your kid friendly dentist can be nerve-racking. Preparing for it is vital to ensure the child takes the experience positively. Awareness of what to expect is part of being a responsible parent. Here are the details on what to expect during your child’s first visit with the kid friendly dentist.

Set the date and time

It is important to time the first visit when the child is the least irritable. The child should be well-fed and rested before arriving at the clinic. Before setting the time and date, ask about filling out forms or providing additional information in advance. Call the insurance provider to see if there are additional copays and confirm the coverage.

Prepare for the visit

The child should be aware of the first dental visit. Talk to the child about what will happen during the appointment. Play pretend games where the parent or child can be the dentist or the patient. Watching shows or reading books about positive experiences with dentists can help the child appreciate the value of a dental appointment.

Bringing an older child to the dentist can elevate the preparation. The kid friendly dentist can ask to open the child’s mouth and count the child’s teeth. Creating drawings or crafts about oral care can make the experience fun. Parents can complete the forms before the visit. Make a list of possible questions and the child’s medications.

Create a fun dental appointment

Maintain a positive attitude before the appointment. Be excited when talking about it. The positive experience can comfort the child. An older sibling can go to the treatment room first if the younger child is anxious. That way, the dentist can demonstrate what will happen during the checkup.

Playing cheerful music or watching an animated TV show can distract the child. Most practices give kids a form of reward after the appointment. Packing a treat for when the checkup ends can bring a smile to the child. Bringing a small toy or stickers is a good idea for a post-checkup reward.

Look forward to the appointment

The child may become restless in the treatment room. Because of this, the child can sit in the parent’s lap or in the chair with the parent right beside the child. The dentist will assess the child’s oral development. This checkup can also determine if the child has developing dental issues like cavities. The dentist will also answer the questions that the parents may have at the end of the visit.

The kid friendly dentist will establish a good rapport with the child. Kindness always makes a child comfortable. The practice itself has the right, colorful décor. There will also be a play and reading area for the waiting room. The following will happen in the exam or treatment room:

• An inspection of the soft tissues, teeth, and gums
• A jaw exam with a dental X-ray for older kids
• Gentle dental cleaning for kids with many teeth
• Educating the parent on how to clean the child’s gums or teeth
• Teaching the parent what oral habits to avoid and teach