Kids First Dental Visit - Fun rides and goodie bags???

We asked Hannah, one of our amazing Oral Health Therapists here at Kingston Beach Dental to tell us what our smaller patients can expect from their first dental visit with us. She also shares some great tips for parents and carers! Hannah’s gorgeous kids recently had their 6-monthly check-up with us and as usual, there were lots of smiles!

Hannah writes:

At Kingston Beach Dental we recommend your child have their first dental visit by the age of 2!  The aim for a child’s first visit is to be fun! It’s a learning experience for your child so we don’t want to make it too overwhelming. 

Before bringing your child into the dental setting it’s often good to talk to them about what might happen, how it will look, sound and even smell. 

Words and sentences like: 

-          There might be lots of bright lights. 

-          Sounds of people talking and dental instruments. 

-          They might ask you to sit in the chair and lie you down to “count” your teeth! 

When I see a child for the first time its all about making them comfortable and learning a bit about them. A big smile goes a long way in this appointment!

Depending on the patients age they may want to sit with their grown up on the chair, or they may be excited to have a ride in the chair and lie back and watch the big TV on the ceiling which could be playing their favourite show like BLUEY!

I like to start with “counting”their teeth! This sets the children more at ease for me to examine their teeth and check that they are all healthy.

We like to have a chat about how they are looking after their teeth. We talk about brushing teeth two times a day with help from their grown up. Brushing for 2 minutes with child toothpaste and the importance of spitting the toothpaste out and not rinsing.

We may also have a chat about their diet, and the importance of eating healthy foods and drinking fluoridated tap water.

For some children that may be all that we do for this first visit. However, if the child is super excited, we may get to clean their teeth with our special toothbrush and toothpaste.

I chat to the child and say I’m going to use my special electric toothbrush and yummy toothpaste to clean your teeth. Once they are all sparkling and shiny I will sit the chair up, ask them to rinse this toothpaste out before we apply the fluoride treatment. I say that this special paint we will put on keeps your teeth super strong and healthy, its also made fun because they get to choose the flavour they would like!

At the end of the first visit we like to give the children a goody bag! Its always exciting for them to take this home, they also get to choose 2 extra things from the special draw to add to their bag!

I always take my families out to the front desk to help book in their 6 month continuing care appointment and send them off with a high five and a big smile!

To make an appointment for your child with one of our caring team members please contact us. Starting young to create a positive experience sets children up for a lifetime of good dental health and experiences.