Starting Your Smile
At Cobblestone Kids Pediatric Dentistry, we believe that your child’s first dental appointment is the most important one.
So whether your child is a new dental patient or you’re transferring from another practice, we make sure your first visit at our Philadelphia or Cherry Hill office is fun, enjoyable, and stress-free for the entire family.
What to Expect at Your Child’s First Dental Visit
We’re a big believer in first impressions, and we want to make sure that ours is the best we can possibly make it.
Your child will enjoy the fun, non-threatening environment of our kid-friendly offices. And most of our treatment utilizes behavioral techniques that promote positive outcomes and build trust between you, your child, and our expert team.
One of our favorite techniques for building trust with your child is “Tell-Show-Do.” This technique prepares your child for dental exams and treatment by telling and showing your child what we are going to do before we do it.
Before your child is evaluated, we’ll review their medical and dental history. A thorough history allows us to know your child better and provides us with insight on how to properly treat and serve your child. Please inform us of all health concerns and allergies your child may have.
Children Under 4
The exam usually takes place with your child sitting in the dental chair on your lap. A special pillow is placed on your lap so that your child is comfortable and looking at you the entire time. This positioning allows us to complete a thorough examination and for you to see everything.
We’ll examine your child’s dental growth and development and look for any potential problems with the gums, jaw and oral tissues. If needed, we’ll clean the teeth and apply a fluoride material that is specifically formulated for your little one.
At this important visit, we’ll also:
- Complete a thorough medical and dental history
- Assess your child’s risk of developing oral and dental disease
- Determine an appropriate interval for periodic checkups and reevaluations
Children Over 4
Most children at this age will climb into the chair on their own. However, all children are different and, according to behavior, may need to be examined using the lap exam technique applied to children under four. We’ll determine what’s best for your child on the day of the examination.
For children over three, we recommend a complete oral evaluation, which consists of a cleaning with fluoride treatment and, if necessary, digital radiographs (X-rays).
Preparing Your Child for Their First Appointment
Preparing your child for their first dental visit is certainly encouraged! Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Use Helpful Resources
Many excellent books for young children are available to help your child understand who the dentist is and why we go. The internet also has a wide range of educational games and hands-on projects related to dentistry.
Keep It Positive
However you decide to prepare your child for their first visit, make sure you convey good feelings about the dentist as a necessary — and fun — part of growing up strong and healthy.
Avoid Negative Discussions
Avoid discussing unfortunate experiences that you or other family members have had in the past in front of your child. Children can easily pick up on negative feelings, and suggesting that something “may or may not hurt” may create some unnecessary anxiety for your child.
Let Your Child Decide For Themselves
We strive to make your child’s experience positive and rewarding so that they develop a healthy perception of going to the dentist and begin good habits that last a lifetime!