First Visit

When should my child first see a dentist, and why?

We recommend children be seen by our office by age 1. Of course, if there are any issues such as tooth decay or pain, please make an appointment with our office. This is an ideal time for Dr. Joe or Dr. Lefler to carefully examine the development of your child’s mouth. Because dental problems often start early, the sooner the visit the better. To safeguard against problems such as baby bottle tooth decay, teething irritations, gum disease, and prolonged thumb-sucking, Dr. Joe and Dr. Lefler can provide or recommend special preventive care.

How do I prepare my child and myself for the visit?

Before the visit, our office staff will be happy to discuss the procedures of the first appointment so there are no surprises. Our goal on the first visit is to establish a warm connection with your child and to help relieve any fears your child may have. This first visit is often referred to as HAPPY VISIT. We understand that your child may be anxious and our experienced staff will help your child every step of the way. Positively talk to your child about what to expect, and build excitement as well as understanding about the upcoming visit.

What will happen on the first visit?

For very young children, often our first visit is an introductory ice-breaker to acquaint your child with Dr. Joe or Dr. Lefler and their staff. We have found that our calm, warm, and fun environment is the key to a successful first visit. Short, successive visits are meant to build the child’s trust in Dr. Joe, Dr. Lefler, and their staff and can prove invaluable if your child needs to be treated later for any dental problem.

Appointments for children should always be scheduled earlier in the day, when your child is alert and fresh.

For children under two years of age, the first visit is often completed in their parent’s lap. For a first visit, children must be accompanied by their legal guardian.