Our office, as well as the The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Dental Association (ADA), and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends establishing a "Dental Home" for your child by one year of age. Children who have a dental home are more likely to receive appropriate preventive and routine oral health care.
For first visits to our office, Legal Guardians must be Present. At the visit, a consent form will be offered. For future visits If you feel you will be unavailable to bring your child to the dental office please fill out the consent form. Your child will be refused treatment if the person who is bringing your child does not have consent.
The Dental Home is intended to provide a place other than the Emergency Room for parents in case of any dental-related emergencies.
You can help make the first visit to the dentist enjoyable and positive. If old enough, your child should be informed of the visit. Provide a broad explanation that the dentist and their staff will explain all procedures, and tools and answer any questions before the session begins.
It is best if you refrain from using words around your child that might cause unnecessary fear, such as "needle", "shot", "pull", "drill" or "hurt". The office makes a practice of using words that convey the same message but are pleasant and non-frightening to the child.
We invite you to stay with your child during the initial examination. During future appointments, we suggest you allow your child to accompany our staff through the dental experience. Our purpose is to gain your child's confidence and overcome apprehension. However, if you choose, you are more than welcome to accompany your child to the treatment room. For the safety and privacy of all patients, other children who are not being treated should remain in the reception room with a supervising adult.