YOUR CHILD'S FIRST VISIT

It may be your child’s first dentist appointment ever! Or perhaps you’ve just moved, or changed dentists for another reason. In any case, we want to sincerely welcome you to Smile Out Loud Pediatric Dentistry in Gramercy Park, NYC. We’re so glad you’re here, and we promise to always do our very best to:

Provide highest-quality dental care to your child

Earn and keep the entire family’s trust

Teach you and your child about taking great care of their teeth

Work collaboratively with you and your child for a personalized treatment plan

Maintain a comfortable, safe atmosphere

Make your kiddo’s visits fun!

WHEN SHOULD MY CHILD HAVE THEIR FIRST DENTIST VISIT?

The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry both recommend that children should see a dentist within six months of when their first tooth erupts or by their first birthday, whichever comes first. However, if your child is older than that and hasn’t been to the dentist yet, that’s okay! Just give us a call and schedule an appointment. We’ll be so happy to see them!

WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR CHILD’S FIRST PEDIATRIC DENTIST APPOINTMENT

The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry both recommend that children should see a dentist within six months of when their first tooth erupts or by their first birthday, whichever comes first. However, if your child is older than that and hasn’t been to the dentist yet, that’s okay! Just give us a call and schedule an appointment. We’ll be so happy to see them!

WHAT HAPPENS, STEP BY STEP

When you arrive, we’ll get your child checked in and bring them back to the hygiene area. Children who are under three years old can recline on top of their parent in the chair if they’re apprehensive or scared. If they’re older, this still may work–it depends upon their size. The rest of your child’s appointment will go something like the following:

Your child can choose their flavor of toothpaste, and Dr. Dikansky or a hygienist will clean their teeth. Depending on your child’s age, level of apprehension, and plaque levels, we will either use a prophy cup (a sophisticated dental cleaning tool) or a manual toothbrush. We will make sure to achieve complete plaque removal no matter what tool we use.
Next comes the exam. Dr. Dikansky will use a mirror, gauze, and an explorer to examine your kiddo’s mouth. She’ll touch the top of each tooth, “like playing Duck, Duck, Goose.” Or sometimes she’ll ask patients to count with her as she touches each tooth. As parents know better than anyone, keeping them entertained and engaged goes a long way towards helping them feel relaxed, which ensures a proper, high-quality exam.
When appropriate, we’ll capture digital x-rays.
Finally, we will apply a fluoride varnish to help strengthen your child’s teeth. No need to wait to eat or drink with our varnish! Go ahead and take them out for that ice cream for being so brave. (But don’t forget to brush afterwards!)

But, before you go! Dip into the Toy Cave so your kiddo can choose a prize. We want to let our patients know how much we appreciate them. Sure, it’s a bit of bribery, but it reinforces a sense of fun around a dental visit. We know it can take a lot of bravery for kids to do anything outside of their routines, especially a visit to the dentist, and we want to make sure they know we don’t take it for granted.

THE BEST PEDIATRIC DENTIST NEAR ME

We can’t wait to see you and your child for their first visit and every one after! We look forward to having your family as part of our family. Give us a call today at Smile Out Loud in Gramercy Park to make an appointment or ask us any questions at all!