Smiles Dentistry 4 Kids

What to expect at your child’s first visit to the pediatric dentist’s office and how to make it great!

A child’s first visit to the pediatric dentist can be overwhelming for both the parent and the child. Unfortunately, dentists get a bad rap, but our team at Smiles Dentistry for Kids is here to change that! During your child’s first visit, and every visit after that, we promise to provide gentle and compassionate care in a fun environment.

If you didn’t know, children should visit the dentist six months after their first tooth erupts or by their first birthday (whichever comes first). In this blog, we’ll discuss what happens during this appointment and provide tips to help parents prepare for their child’s first visit to the dentist.

The First Visit

At our practice, your child’s comfort, happiness, and dental health are our top priorities. We know the first visit will have a lasting impression on you and your child, so we want to make it a good one!

Here’s what happens during your child’s first pediatric dental appointment:

1. Review medical and dental history

While your child may not have a long medical or dental history, every detail matters. The dentist may also ask for details about your dental and medical history to help him predict any future oral health problems or orthodontic issues that your child could encounter.

2. Dental cleaning or polishing and discussion about oral hygiene habits

If necessary, a dental assistant will perform a gentle dental cleaning or polishing. During this time, the assistant and dentist will also inform the parent of the best oral hygiene habits for their little one. This might include:

Cleaning the gums after feeding
Types of toothpaste
Baby bottle tooth decay
Thumb and pacifier habits
Cavity prevention

3. An oral exam

During this part of the appointment, your child’s teeth, gums, and jaw will be examined by the dentist to ensure they are developing properly. If there are any signs of tooth decay, he will recommend the appropriate treatment. Dental x-rays may also be taken if necessary.

When parents bring their children to the dentist regularly, he is able to track the child’s oral health development to predict and prevent future problems.

Tips for the First Visit

Though we are committed to creating a fun and positive experience for every child, there’s only so much we can do. Parents are the experts on their children, and we need their help!

Here are three tips for parents who are preparing for their child’s first visit:

Schedule the appointment at a good time. You know when your little one is happiest. For many, its right after a nap or early in the morning. If possible, try to schedule his or her first visit at that time. This makes the entire appointment more pleasant for your child, you, and us.
Watch a dental-themed TV show. Your child’s favorite TV show character probably has an episode about his or her first visit to the dentist. Watching that episode can help your child view the dentist’s office in a positive light and reduce any fear or anxiety.
Bring comfort items. You are most likely your child’s favorite comfort item, but he probably has a favorite stuffed animal or blanket that he likes to carry around, too. Bring whatever it is along to help him feel safer and more comfortable in our chair.

Schedule Your Child’s First Visit Today

As a part of his commitment to good oral health for all children, Dr. Matt offers free cleanings and exams for children under two years old. We’re excited to have your family join ours at Smiles Dentistry for Kids!

Call us today at (913) 685-9990 to schedule your child’s first visit.

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4 Steps to Take When Choosing a Kids’ Dentist

Your child’s first dental experience could impact the way he feels about the dentist for the rest of his life. Feeling the pressure? Don’t stress! Choosing a kids’ dentist that prioritizes your child’s comfort and overall experience is simple when you follow four simple steps.

When you select a dentist like Dr. Matt, your child will actually enjoy going to the dentist—we guarantee it! Our dental team puts our patients first by treating them like family, caring for their developing smiles, and providing a kid-friendly office environment.

To find a great kids’ dentist near you, follow these practical steps:

Step 1: Read reviews

The quickest way to find the nearest pediatric dentists is to type “pediatric dentist near me” in the Google search bar.

The best pediatric dentists have raving reviews. To find these, check out Google Reviews or the dentist’s Facebook page. The dentists with the most five-star reviews are the ones you need to add to your list.

Be sure to read through the reviews to learn more about the dentist, the office environment, and available services.

To ensure you’re choosing the best kids’ dentist, look for reviews like this one:

“Dr. Matt and his team are extremely professional and our incredible with their patience. My daughter has a lot of anxiety about going to the dentist and they always treat her with extreme patience and kindness. The office is decorated and bright colors and makes you want to be a kid again yourself! I would recommend this place to anyone.” – Amy Allen

Step 2: Visit the website

Now that you have a list of pediatric dentists near you, it’s time to check out their websites. Usually, the website reflects the office environment. For example, if the website is full of fun colors and happy children, that’s most likely what you’ll find when you visit the office in person!

On the website, you should also find information about:

The dentist’s background and education
A meet the staff page to familiarize yourself with people you may meet
Expectations for the first visit
Interesting blog topics

Take a good look around to find all the information you need to make the best decision for your child. If the website doesn’t answer a question you have, feel free to call the office to ask a team member.

Step 3: Schedule the First Visit

The best way to learn about a dentist, his team, and the office environment is to schedule an introductory visit. Most importantly, your time at the office will give your child a chance to develop his own opinion about the dentist and office. Remember, your child’s opinion is the most important!

Not all pediatric dentists are the same, but at Smiles Dentistry 4 Kids, you can expect the first visit to include:

An office tour
Meeting the dentist and team members
A review of your child’s dental and medical history
Information about healthy teeth and jaw development
Reviewing your oral healthcare routine
A dental cleaning (if appropriate)
An oral exam
A conversation about your child’s specific oral health needs

These visits typically take between 20 and 40 minutes. For the first appointment and each one after, you and your child can count on consistent, personalized care from our friendly dental team.

Step 4: Make the commitment

If the visit was less than satisfying, feel free to move on to the next pediatric dentist to compare experiences. However, if your first experience was exceptional—and kid-approved! —there’s no need to go anywhere else!

We believe these four steps will lead you to a kids’ dentist who meets your little one’s specific needs, offers simple and effective advice, and provides a relaxing but fun environment.

To schedule a first visit with our Overland Park pediatric dentist, call (913) 685-9990.