Your child’s first visit to the Dentist should be around the age of one, unless you have any concerns.  We call this first visit a “Happy Visit”. We want this to be a happy, positive experience for your child. It is also a great opportunity for parents to share any concerns or get answers to any questions they may have about their child’s development.During this Happy Visit we do our best to make your child feel comfortable by putting the television on to their favorite cartoon or channel. Then, the dental assistant would show them how the chair can go up and down and lay back like a bed. Another fun part of the Happy Visit is counting teeth.  The dental assistant will show your child the instrument we use to assist in counting their teeth.   We try to have your child give us a big smile and open wide to start the process before the Dentist comes in the room. If your child is very young the exam will be done with Mom or Dad sitting knee to knee with the Dentist and your child laying across your lap with their head in the Dentist’s lap. We do our best to provide a calm, comfortable environment however, your child may scream or cry.  This is very normal during this appointment and very normal with little ones, after all, they don’t know what’s going on. After the exam is finished your child will get the opportunity to pick a toy from the treasure chest. This ends the appointment with a little fun and hopefully a positive experience for them.

It is important for your child to return at around the age of three for a cleaning with one of our registered Hygienists and a check up with the Dentist.  Routine hygiene maintenance appointments are a necessary part of keeping your teeth and gums healthy.  At this appointment parents are encouraged to stay in the waiting room and let their child go back with the Hygienist to have the cleaning and check-up done.  The treasure chest is again the fun finale to the appointment.

Our team at Braeside Dental hope you and your child have a fun and great first Happy Visit.  Thank you for putting your trust in us to take care of you and your loved ones dental health needs.  We look forward to seeing you at your next visit.

-Emma

Braeside Dental Centre