When is the Ideal Time for Your Child’s First Dental Appointment?
San Marcos Pediatric Dentistry follows the guidance of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD). The board advises that your child’s initial dental check-up should occur around their first birthday. Even if not all baby teeth have emerged, early visits are crucial for instilling beneficial oral hygiene habits and for initiating prompt dental care. These early appointments also enable Dr. Shafiei to observe your child’s oral development closely.
Getting Ready for the First Appointment
Many parents worry about their children’s reaction to a dentist appointment. Our office recommends scheduling the appointment in the morning when your child is well-rested and more cooperative. We provide any excuse notes you may need for missing school.
It helps many patients to have the dentist be positively framed by their guardian. Saying things like the “dentist may take special pictures of your teeth using x-ray vision like the superheroes”, “the dentist will count how many teeth you have” or “the dentist will brush your teeth” instead of more scary or inflammatory descriptions. We encourage you to make visiting the dentist an adventure. At home, please avoid phrases such as “it is not going to hurt”, “you will not get a shot” etc.
Please thoroughly complete and submit/bring the patient’s medical history form and insurance information. It will save you time when you arrive at our office for your visit. If you have health insurance cards, please bring them. If your child is prescribed medications, you may choose to bring the prescription with you to show it to the doctor. When transferring from another dental practice, we will request all prior dental records be sent to us with your approval.
What to Anticipate
When you arrive, our friendly staff will give you a tour to help your child get acquainted with the clinic. We employ gentle behavior management techniques, like “Tell-Show-Do” and “Positive Reinforcement,” to build trust. Your child will be introduced to the dental tools in a non-threatening way, often with a demonstration on their hand first.
Dr. Shafiei will conduct an in-depth assessment and discuss the findings with you. If your child feels anxious, they can sit in your lap during the examination. Dr. Shafiei will address any concerns you might have, including thumb-sucking, nutrition, or risk of cavities. Once the appointment is completed, we celebrate with a gift bag and a chance for your child to select a prize!
