First Visit & FAQ’s
Pediatric dentists are the pediatricians of dentistry. We specialize in pediatric dentistry, which means our focus is on treating infants, children, and teens.
Your first visit is all about your child’s
comfort, happiness, and dental health
Your child’s first visit with Dr. Matt, typically includes:
- A complete review of your child’s dental and medical history. A complete review of your child’s dental and medical history.
- Appropriate digital x-rays.
- A dental cleaning/polishing and hygiene instruction performed by one of our highly trained dental assistants.
- An oral exam – Dr. Hillman will evaluate your child for their overall dental health including addressing orthodontic concerns.
Dr. Matt Talks About
Your First Visit
Bring your smile; but also remember to do the
following for your first dental appointment:
Arrive no less than 10 minutes early
Bring your insurance card
Regular checkups are an important part of maintaining your healthy smile!
Did you know that the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatricians recommends that your child should have their first visit 6 months after the first tooth appears or by the first birthday, whichever comes first. Like adults, children of all ages should be seen by their dentist every 6 months.
We understand that you have a busy schedule, so while we like to make sure your appointments are informative, we also like to make sure they don’t stop you from doing the things you love! When preparing for a visit, please know that your appointment can last from 20 to 40 minutes. We have a knack for running on time so please arrive promptly. When it’s time for your next dental appointment, please call (913) 685-9990, and our friendly office staff will be ready to help you schedule an appointment.
WHAT IS PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY?
Pediatric dentists are the pediatricians of dentistry. A pediatric dentist has at least two years of specialty training following dental school and limits his practice to treating children only. Pediatric dentists are primary and specialty oral care providers for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health needs.
BABY TEETH AREN’T PERMANENT; WHY DO THEY NEED SPECIAL CARE?
Although they don’t last as long as permanent teeth, your child’s first teeth play an important role in development. While they’re in place, these primary teeth help your little one speak, smile and chew properly. They also hold space in the jaw for permanent teeth. If a child loses a tooth too early – due to damage or decay – nearby teeth may crowd that space, which can result in crooked or misplaced permanent teeth. Also, your child’s general health is affected by the oral health of the teeth and gums.
DIGITAL X-RAYS
Following the guidelines set forth by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, we recommend taking the first x-rays around 4 years of age depending on their risk of decay. None-the-less, we use a digital imaging system that insures minimal exposure and risk to your child.
EMERGENCIES
As parents we love our children and wish they never had accidents but they are an unfortunate part of childhood. Dental emergencies can be particularly scary for parents and children. Dr. Matt is on-call 24/7 for dental emergencies. Please don’t hesitate to call if your child has a dental uh-oh.
CHECK-UPS
If your child is under 24 months, the first visit is usually short and simple. In most cases, we focus on getting to know your child and giving you some basic information about dental care and growth. Dr. Matt will check your child’s teeth for placement and health, and look for any potential problems with the gums and jaw. If necessary, we may do a bit of cleaning and apply a fluoride treatment.
SEALANTS
Sealants are a preventative covering limited to the pits and fissures of teeth that are difficult to brush and more prone to cavities. We often recommend sealants as a safe and simple way to reduce your child’s risk of decay on permanent molars. Ask Dr. Matt about sealants at your next visit
SEDATION
In rare instances there are children that are unable to sit through dental treatment due to age, anxiety or health concerns. For these patients we offer IV Sedation (sleep dentistry). If your child would benefit from IV Sedation we will be with you every step of the way to answer all questions you may have.