Our goal with children is for them to have a great experience in a caring and fun environment. We begin seeing children at age three. For younger children, this appointment is approximately thirty minutes long, while for older children we will need an hour. Parents are always welcome to come into our treatment rooms to observe and participate in their children’s dental care. With children, we have found the most effective method for them to grow to enjoy the dental care they receive is to allow them to progress and accept treatment at their own pace. As a result, we choose not to take a forceful approach when dealing with our youngest patients. During a child’s first visit, the hygienist will do the following:
- Take necessary radiographs
- Perform dental prophylaxis (dental cleaning)
- Perform fluoride treatment, if desired
- Instruct in proper oral hygiene practices such as brushing and flossing.
After the hygienist has completed her treatment, the doctor will then come in and perform the following:
- Complete full intra-oral exam
- Assess potential need for orthodontic intervention
- Reinforce proper oral hygiene practices if needed
- Discuss with child and parent any findings and questions.
As with our adult patients, at the completion of the initial visit, reservations will be made for any future treatment needed. Children will then be invited to pick a prize from the prize box to reinforce the positive experience they have enjoyed to this point in their visit. We strive to create a fun and enjoyable atmosphere for children such that they look forward to coming back to our office.