YOUR CHILD'S FIRST VISIT

Key advice:-

1. Use fluoride toothpaste
2. Keep sugar to mealtimes and avoid fizzy drinks
3. Visit us for regular check-up appointments

First Visits

We feel your child's first visits to our practice are among the most important they will make. 
It is often because of a bad experience early on that children become worried about visiting a dentist. That's why we make every effort to make sure these early experiences here are just right.

What to Expect

We advise you bring your child along for their first visit as soon as their first tooth appears. This is around 6 months old, but we encourage the registration of children of all ages. It gives us the opportunity to provide advice on preventing disease and answer any questions you may have. It also lets your child get used to the strange surroundings and meet your dentist in a relaxed way. Doing it this way lets your dentist spot problems early.

Understandably it takes some children longer to get used to their surroundings than others. Don't be worried if, at these initial appointments, we don't manage to look in your child's mouth. It's more important these visits are pleasant ones and that they are taken at each individual child's pace.

Registering Your Baby or Child

It's never too early to register your child. We recommend you register your baby as soon after birth as possible. This not only ensures early availability of introductory visits but also access to our out of hours emergency service and our Childsmile programme.

Older Children

We to ensure that visits as easy as possible for all children. Your child may need treatment when they first visit our practice and we try to take this slowly with a few shorter appointments initially. We spend time gradually introducing instruments and treatments and progressing as far as possible, at the individual child's pace.

Preparing Your Older Child

You can play an important role in making these visits a success. Before attending with your child explain to them who they will meet and what will be expected of them. There are children’s books available which many parents find very helpful in doing this. Preparing your child with a positive picture is an invaluable help to us.