Your Child's First Visit

During your child's first visit the dentist will:

• Examine your child's mouth, teeth and gums.
• Evaluate adverse habits like thumb sucking.
• Evaluate your child's exposure to fluoride and the necessity for additional fluoride
  supplement / rinses.
• Instruct you and your child regarding proper oral hygiene techniques.
• Design a recare (check-up) schedule specifically for your child's dental needs.

We may clean your child's teeth and apply a topical fluoride varnish to help protect the teeth against decay. We will make sure your child is receiving adequate fluoride at home. Also, our team will review with you how to clean and care for your child's teeth.

Finally, our doctors and team will begin the process of helping your child feel comfortable in the dental office. Children who begin their dental experience early almost always become the most confident patients for years to come.

For further information regarding “Dental Care for your Baby,” visit the following page on the web site of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry: www.aapd.org/babycare.asp.

*To avoid delays we ask that you download our health questionnaire and privacy policy (HIPPA). Please review, fill out, and sign both forms before your child's first appointment. Also, bring both forms to your child's first visit with us.

To schedule your child for an appointment, please call:

• Kempsville Office: 757-474-1200
• Thalia Office: 757-486-2525
• Great Neck Office: 757-496-8300
• Chesapeake Office: 757-548-3030

What should I tell my child about the first dental visit?

We are asked this question many times. We suggest you prepare your children the same way you would prepare them for their first day of school. Be supportive and encouraging but don't "over-explain," as this may send up caution signs for your child.

Also, review our "Treatment Philosophy" for specific ideas on how to make your child's first visit as comfortable as possible. Your child's reaction to his first visit to the dentist may surprise you.

To the right is a video they may enjoy: please click on the image to view.

Here are some "First Visit" tips:

• Take your child for a "preview" of our office online. Or, schedule a "happy visit" in person. A "happy visit" allows your child to tour our office without any scheduled procedures. There is no fee for this brief visit and is a great "ice-breaker".
• Read books with your child about going to the dentist; a classic is The Berenstain Bear Visit the Dentist.
• Review with your child what the dentist and team members will be doing at the first visit.
• Speak positively about your own dental experiences.