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| First Visit |
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that each child establish a dental home by his or her first birthday. Children who establish a dental home early in life are more likely to receive appropriate preventive and routine oral health care. Not only does the first-year visit provide a time-critical opportunity to implement preventive health practices and reduce the risk of preventable dental problems, it also helps reduce future anxiety by establishing a safe and familiar environment early in life.
Kids are often smarter than we realize. We avoid using words like "needle", "shot", "drill", and "hurt" because they can cause unnecessary fear and anxiety, making dental visits more difficult for children. We encourage you to consider how you discuss upcoming visits to the dentist with your child. Young children generally respond very well to positive stories and songs about a trip to visit the dentist.
If you have never been to a pediatric dental office, you are in for a fun experience! We are different from traditional dental practices in almost every way. We have seating that is designed especially for kids to lie down while we are working in their little mouths. Our office is an "open bay" environment that provides your child with the opportunity to observe other children having fun while getting their teeth cleaned. Kids feel more comfortable when surrounded by other kids. We encourage you to stay with your child during his or her first visit so that you can meet our team and review your child's dental health with us.
During your child's first visit, we will review his or her dental and health information and perform a comprehensive dental examination. Depending on the age and needs of your child, we will perform a thorough cleaning, x-rays (when appropriate), and fluoride treatment. Dr. Vu will sit down with you and discuss your child's dental health, any concerns you may have, and prepare you for what to expect during your child's next phase of oral development. Dr. Vu will discuss treatment options with you if cavities are identified. Sometimes kids become more distracted in the presence of their parents and there may be times when your child may benefit from you waiting outside the treatment room.
We love taking care of kids and we want your first visit to be enjoyable and positive for you and your child! At Mercer Island Pediatric Dentistry, we will work with you to make your child's first dental visit an adventure that sets a positive foundation for the rest of his or her life. We want you to stay with your child during the first few visits. After a short while, your child will develop the confidence, trust, and independence to join us on his or her own. However, you are always welcome to stay with your child during visits. Our waiting area has music and movies geared toward kids, as well as a coffee bar for your enjoyment.
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