Our Resources

First Dental Visit

• We cannot wait to meet you and provide you with a Groovy dental experience.
  • First visit by age 1
    • The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that “a child should visit the dentist within six months of the eruption of the first tooth or by age one”
• Preparing for the first visit
  • We are paperless! Once you have scheduled your visit, please go to our patient portal to fill out all forms prior to your visit.
  • Bring dental and medical insurance cards with you to your appointment.
  • If transferring from another dental practice, please get us your prior dental records at least 24 hours before the scheduled appointment.
    • This will allow us adequate time to review prior x-rays and charting.
    • This will require your approval and participation.
    • We invest in our patients and families and want to make sure we know your complete history.
  • We encourage you to make visiting the dentist an adventure!
    • Reading and shows can help to familiarize your child with our instruments and with dental experiences.
      • Books
        • Daniel Tiger Let’s Brush Our Teeth!
        • Pout Pout Fish Dentist
        • Brush Your Teeth Please
        • Curious George Visits the Dentist
      • Videos
        • Daniel Tiger Goes to the Dentist
        • Blippi Visits the Dentist
  • At home, please avoid phrases such as “it is not going to hurt,” “you will not get a shot,” etc.
    • Research shows that sometimes these phrases may create stress prior to appointments and may cause unnecessary apprehension.
      Dr. Jackie and her team will do everything they can to create a warm, welcoming environment for your child, but it needs to be a unified effort. As the parent, YOU play a vital role in helping shape your child’s positive perception of their dentist!
  • Schedule during a time that will work with your child’s schedule
  • For young children (4 years or younger), it is HIGHLY recommended that the visit take place in the morning time.
  • Children are more rested and more cooperative as opposed to during their nap time or after daycare or school. We have seen this make a huge difference in your child’s ability to cooperate.
  • We are happy to provide excuse forms for work and school to accommodate this schedule.
  • Upon entering the office, you will receive a friendly greeting and one of our specialized dental assistants will walk you and your child to their dental chair and introduce the child to the dental equipment. We will begin by gaining and establishing trust with your child using behavior management strategies. After a rapport is established with your child, we will lay your child back and clean your child’s teeth, and take x-rays if needed.
  • Dr. Jackie will then meet the child and the parent to perform a thorough examination. We invest in our patients and our relationships and will spend plenty of time with you and your child reviewing the cavity process, diet, hygiene, thumb-sucking and pacifier use (if necessary), fluoride exposure, and much more! We will also review if we found any cavities, review all available treatment options, and craft a unique tailored treatment plan for your child.
  • We understand your family has a busy schedule, so when you’re preparing for a dental visit, please remember an appointment can last between 40-60 minutes.
  • Early examination and preventive care will protect your child’s smile now and in the future.

Click here for our First Visit Checklist