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 Yes,
your child should be seen for their first dental visit at the time
the first tooth erupts, but not later than 12 months of age. These
guidelines have been established by the American Academy of
Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. An early
visit allows us the opportunity to check for any risk factors and
help you establish a healthy routine for your child’s dental health.
A recent ten year study by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
found that the only portions of our population with an increase in
cavities are the 2-4 year olds.
We want to help you keep your child cavity free, but in the
event that they do need treatment, it will be easier for them if
they’ve already established a trusting relationship with our office.
At the first visit we will spend our time with you and your child
discussing tooth brushing and healthy food choices. We will review
medical and dental history, provide a cleaning, fluoride treatment,
complete a thorough exam and obtain x-rays if necessary. We will
discuss any dietary habits, medications or other factors that may
place them at higher risk for cavities. We will also verify that
they are receiving the proper amount of fluoride in their drinking
water.
For those children old enough to understand, they should be
informed of the visit and told that the dentist and their staff will
explain all the procedures and answer any questions. The less the
to-dos concerning the visit the better. 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”. Our
office makes a practice of using words that convey the same message,
but are pleasant and non-frightening to the child.
For
your convenience prior to visiting our office, click on the button
below to download our Patient History Form. Please
complete the information and bring it with you on your first visit.
To print the form you will need
Adobe Acrobat Reader.
If you do not have Adobe Acrobat, please
click here to download it
for free to your computer.
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