Imagine being in a room unlike one you’ve ever seen before, with harsh lighting, strange smells and sounds, where several people hover over you as you lay helpless in a reclined position. It might be a scene from a horror movie — or a child’s first visit to the dentist.
Losing the horror angle helps your child to see the dentist and dental hygiene in a different light. As pediatric dentistry specialists, our team at Northwoods Dental Group strive to create a positive experience for your child.
We can only take over once you reach the office though. It’s up to you as a parent to prepare your child for arrival. Knowing what to expect in general can help your child ease through their first visit.
Your child might be used to going to the doctor when they’re sick, which might not be an example that applies to their dentist. Developing good oral care habits early in life can help to assure that most dental visits are uneventful routine checkups.
For their first visit, recognize the importance of removing the veil of the unknown and how it affects your child. Some children charge into new situations boldly, while others are intimidated when too much is different and new.
Typically, a child’s first dental visit occurs after their first tooth erupts or sometime around their first birthday. You might be able to remove the intimidating novelty of the dentist’s office with age-appropriate books or videos. They’ll know some of the concepts, sights, and sounds before their appointment.
Every first visit plays out differently, depending on your child’s age, tendencies, and even the mood of the moment, but the first visit is often more about information than an examination.
We ask about brushing habits, diet, thumb sucking, or pacifier use. We use this to establish a risk potential for tooth decay.
We look for obvious signs of decay as well as any other current or potential oral health problems. If it’s needed, we perform a dental cleaning and suggest a date for the next visit. At all times, we do our best to engage your child to make their appointment a positive experience.
Children notice their parents. They take signals from you about so many things. Their first dentist visit may be influenced by your attitude and the conversations you have with our office staff.
Scheduling their appointment to coincide with yours, or an older sibling’s, can help them feel less anxious about something that’s happening to them alone.
Plan strategically to avoid common pitfalls that might add pressure to the appointment. Schedule your visit at a time of day when your child is typically at their best, not when they usually nap or eat. Plan to arrive a little early so delays in traffic don’t raise your stress levels.
Contact us at Northwoods Dental Group in Columbus, Ohio, by phone or online to schedule your child’s first visit. Let us know it’s a first-time trip and we’ll be ready to keep their time here upbeat and positive.
We’re all in this together, and for a lifetime, so start your child’s positive oral care experience today.
