When should parents take their children for their first dental checkup?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child go to his/her first dental checkup by age 1 or no more than 6 months after the first tooth comes in.


What will happen during my child' s first visit to the dentist?

What happens during the first dental visit really depends on the age of the child. For a child younger than 2, the exam will most likely be done in a knee to knee position. The teeth will be examined, brushed and fluoride will be most likely placed on the surfaces. The dentist will spend the majority of that appointment talking to mom or dad about trauma, tooth development, fluoride use, brushing positions and timing of xrays. If your child is older than 3, the exam will most likely take place in the dental chair where an exam and cleaning will done. At this visit, xrays may also be taken, if the dentist feels it is necessary.


How can I prepare my child for his first dental appointment?

If the child is less than 2, there is not a whole lot that one can do to prepare for this visit as reactions at this age tend to be the same whether the child was prepared or not ahead of time. If a parent wanted to say something to his/her child, he/she could let them know that the dentist will look at the teeth, count, brush and put some vitamins on (fluoride).


How often should I schedule dentist appointments for my child?

Typically, dental visits are biannually (every 6 months). In some cases, the dentist may want to see the child more frequently or less frequently. Therefore, the timing of check-ups is up to the treating dentist.


What is the difference between a pediatric dentist and a family dentist?

A pediatric dentist is a dentist who has had either 2 or 3 years of training specifically in pediatric dentistry beyond dental school. A family dentist is a dentist who has, typically, had no additional training in pediatric dentistry after completion of dental school.


Who is a Pediatric Dentist?

A Pediatric Dentist is a dentist who has completed formal training in Pediatric Dentistry. This training is after completion of dental school and typically last 2 or 3 years.