The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends the first visit occur by his/her first birthday. You can make the first visit enjoyable and positive. Your child should be informed of the visit and told that the doctor and his staff will explain all procedures and answer any questions. The fewer to-dos concerning the visit, the better.

Here are a few suggestions to prepare your youngster for the initial visit. First, tell your child that the dentist wants to get to know him/her; present this visit as an exciting experience for yourself and for your child. Second, tell your child that we will "count," "brush," and "take pictures" of his/her teeth. By explaining the exam and the cleaning in these terms, your child will better understand the situation. Most importantly, be incredibly positive about this experience. Avoid negative words such as "hurt," "drill," "pull," and "shot." Also, do not use statements such as "the doctor will hurt you." This initial examination involves nothing uncomfortable and should be perceived by the child as non-threatening. It is our goal to make this first visit the most positive experience possible.
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