Your Child's First Visit
First Visit
At Castle Rock Smiles we love children and our goal is to help them learn to trust the dentist and feel comfortable in the dental office from a very young age throughout their life.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) as well as the American Dental Association (ADA) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that a child see a dentist within 6 month of the first tooth erupting, or no later than their first birthday. This initial appointment is a great opportunity to introduce your child to the dental office and get them used to the idea of visiting the dentist regularly. Very young children will often be examined in the lap of the parent or with the parent next to them in the dental chair.
An initial exam for children of any age will include Dr. Benzley reviewing your child's medical history, and examining their mouth, gums, and any teeth that have erupted so far. He will then discuss with you and your child their daily dietary and oral hygiene routines, as well as any other dental topics relating to their optimal dental health. We feel strongly about the importance of educating our young patients so they will feel empowered to help you keep their smile healthy.
How to Prepare:
A positive attitude about the dental experience is vital in preparing your child for a great visit. It is good to tell your child that the visit is coming up, but it is also important not to "over-prepare" your child by focusing on the upcoming appointment too much.
If your child wants to know what might happen at the dentist, reading a few books about the dentist may help. But if you are unsure how to answer a specific question it is best not to make up an answer. Telling your child, "I don't know, we will have to ask the dentist about that," is a safe way to answer a specific question. This way your child will learn to trust the Dentist and talk to him about their concerns or fears.
It is also important not to make general promises to your child such as, "don't worry it won't hurt." The fact is that some things may be a bit uncomfortable for the child, so if they were promised that it wouldn't hurt they may lose trust if that promised is not fulfilled.
When talking about the dentist try to avoid words such as needle, pull, drill, hurt, or shot. These words may cause unnecessary fear. Our office makes a practice of using words that convey the same message, but are pleasant and non-frightening to the child.
We appreciate you being a part of your child's dental experience. Your role as a positive, yet silent, observer will allow your child to create a rapport with Dr. Benzley and his staff.
