Info

We recommend that children have their first dental visit by their first birthday or by the time your child’s first tooth comes in between 6-12 months of age. The first visit usually involves very little by way of treatment. This visit gives your child an opportunity to meet the dentist in a non-threatening and friendly way so that a relationship can be built between your child and the dentist. This visit also gives the dentist a chance to examine teeth, gums and oral tissues. The dentist can also take this opportunity to provide information to parents about preventive oral care advice and discuss dental developmental issues . Early examination and timely preventive care can help prevent dental and oral disease creating healthier mouths and more smiles in the future.

Initial Consultation

The initial consultation is generally around 45 minutes. During this consultation, the paediatric dentist will record a complete medical history and clinical oral examination. This involves a dental check-up, a check of their bite, and look for any potential problems with the gums, jaw, and other oral tissues. If and when necessary, dental radiographs (x-rays) may also be taken. The findings will then be discussed with you to enable an informed decision. Topics the paediatric dentist may discuss include:

1. Good oral hygiene practices for your child's teeth and gums and cavity prevention
2. Developmental dental defects
3. Fluoride needs
4. Oro-facial habits (thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, lip sucking)
5. Developmental milestones
6. Teeth eruption
7. Healthy eating and feeding practices
8. Dental treatment plan and options
9. Schedule of future dental check-ups

Parent’s role

What you can do to prepare your child

In order to ensure your child is well prepared for their first visit to our practice we suggest:

• You talk to your child about the pending dental visit in a positive manner
• You explain that the dentist will look inside their mouth and count their teeth
• You refrain from using directive words and phrases such as ‘needles’, ‘shots’, ‘it won't hurt’, as these may be suggestive that the dental check might be uncomfortable or cause pain.

We recommend and invite parents to be ‘passive observers’ while their child is undergoing dental examination or treatment/s. This enables the dentist and dental staff to capture your child’s entire attention and make the visit a happy one.