Every “first time” can be exciting and a little scary for a child as well as his parent. Going to the dentist is one of those times. If you as the parent know what to expect from that first office visit you are at an advantage and will be able to explain to your child exactly what is going to happen so there will be no surprises.
The first appointment with a pediatric dentist is basically a time set aside for you and your child to meet the doctor and get acquainted with the environment. You can expect to be greeted by a member of the office staff who will show you around and let your child see all the fun things he can do while waiting for his turn to see the doctor.
Most pediatric dental offices are designed with the children in mind and offer video games, puzzles and furnishings that the kids can relate to. This is especially appreciated when siblings come along to the appointment and need to be entertained while brother or sister is with the dentist. Even chairs and tables are just the right size. Of course there is plenty of room and reading material for adults too!
When it’s time to see the dentist parents are encouraged to go in with their child. The dentist will introduce herself and her assistant to you both before the exam. Some dentists suggest that a parent sit with the child on his lap in the dental chair. The exam may begin with counting and cleaning the child’s teeth followed by taking x-rays to determine if any cavities may be forming that the dentist can’t see just by looking.
Some children may not be exposed to a sufficient amount of fluoride and others may prove to be cavity prone and need the extra protection that a fluoride treatment can provide. Your pediatric dentist in Aurora will advise you if this is the case.
Dr. Patterson is the pediatric specialist at Epic Dentistry for Kids in Aurora. She talks directly to her patients in language that they can understand on the “kids zone” page of her website, epicdentistryforkids.com.