According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) your child should establish a "DENTAL HOME" by his/her 1st birthday. Children who have a dental home are more likely to receive appropriate preventive and routine oral health care.
You can make the first visit to our office an enjoyable and positive experience. Your child should be informed of the visit and told that Dr. Anokhi and her team will explain all procedures and answer any questions he or she may have. It is best if you refrain from using words around your child that might cause unnecessary fear, such as "shot," "pull," "drill," or "hurt." Our team makes a practice of using words that convey the same message, but are pleasant and non-frightening to the child.
If your child is over the age of 3, we ask that you allow him or her to accompany our team through the dental experience during future visits. We are all highly experienced in helping children overcome anxiety. Studies and experience have shown that most children over the age of 3 react more positively when permitted to experience the dental visit on their own and in an environment designed for children. Please discuss this matter with one of our team members if you feel otherwise.
When a child is seen at one year of age, the first visit can be pleasant and uneventful. It helps to introduce the child and parent(s) to the dental office. Emphasis is on the developmental assessment of the child's oral health. A team member will conduct a brief tour of our office to familiarize you and your child with our office. You will then be led to one of our consult rooms. A complete medical history will be taken, followed by a knee-to-knee exam with the parent / guardian, as well as a fluoride varnish application. Any cavities, white-spot lesions, soft-tissue irregularities, hypoplasia, history of dental trauma, and any areas with staining will be noted. After that, a caries risk assessment will be done to determine, the risk for developing dental decay. Diet counseling will be performed, followed by a discussion on the best home care regimen for your child. At the end of the visit, Dr. Anokhi will help to set up a plan for future visits.
When a child is seen for their first visit at age two and beyond, emphasis is placed on the developmental assessment of the child's oral health. The first visit should be pleasant while still productive. A team member will conduct a brief tour to familiarize you and your child with our office. You will then be led to one of our examination/ treatment rooms. A complete medical history will be taken, followed by either a knee-to-knee exam with the parent / guardian OR a conventional dental exam (depending on the age of the child). Dental radiographs may also be taken based on the child's specific needs or dental findings. Any cavities, white-spot lesions, soft-tissue irregularities, hypoplasia, history of dental trauma, and areas of staining will be noted. After that, a dental prophylaxis and fluoride varnish application will be performed, as well as oral hygiene instruction. A home care regimen will then be developed. At the end of the visit, your child will be sent home with a "Dental Report Card" of all dental findings and treatment recommendations.
Please visit our section titled "It's not just a cleaning!" for more information about our preventive visits.
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