The American Dental Association recommends that children and their parents have a short visit after the first tooth has erupted, and before the child is a year old. This short visit provides an opportunity for us to show you how to properly care for your baby's teeth and gums. It's also a good time for us to get to know your child, and for your child to get to know us.

Between the ages of two and three, a child should have her first hygiene appointment. At this time, we'll plan to clean, floss, and polish the teeth, as well as discuss the need for x-rays, fluoride, and other treatments. Most three-year-olds are excited about this rite of passage to Big Kid-dom!

For those who might be a little shy or apprehensive about their first appointment, we encourage you to prepare for the visit with calm, casual, happy words. If you are anxious about it, your anxiety will most likely be felt by your little one. You might consider reading books about visiting the dentist, like the ones we recommend here. Feel free to stop by our office once or twice before the big day, too. We'd be happy to show you around, and you can enjoy a cup of cocoa and a snack while you sit by the fireplace, or watch our feathered friends in our aviary.

We have found the child does better when the parent is not in the treatment room.  This demonstrates to your child that you trust us, and that helps the child to trust us, too.  Say good-bye in the waiting room as you would if sending your child off to school, day care, or a friend’s house, with a big smile!  Then sit back and enjoy a cup of coffee and bird-watching.

We do have a private viewing area where you are welcome to see and listen to your child’s treatment without him seeing you.

We encourage you to make this dental visit a special time for you and your child by leaving siblings at home.  Then they can look forward to a special dental visit alone with you when it is their turn.

We are a practice of women, and many of us are mothers. We understand children and their needs. We want your child's first visit to our office to be extra-special, so if there is anything else we can do to make that happen, please let us know.