Pediatric Dentistry in Alpharetta
READY FOR THEIR FIRST VISIT? No Problem. Find all the info you need NEW PATIENT INFO
Discover below all the information you need to prepare your child for his/her first office visit. Please call or email us with any questions. We will be happy to answer any questions you might have. This will ensure that you and your child will have the best dental experience.
What happens at the first visit with the dentist? LET’S EXAMINE YOUR CHILD’S TEETH
At the first visit, we will examine your child’s teeth and gums. We will take any necessary x-rays to detect dental decay and to assess proper growth and development of teeth and jaws. We will also evaluate your child’s bite (occlusion) to determine if there are any orthodontic needs. Once this examination is complete, Dr. Hom will discuss your child’s dental needs with you and answer any questions you may have. A treatment plan will be determined with the end result being a healthy mouth for your child. We will also spend time educating you and your child on proper oral hygiene instructions and diet.
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GET STARTED
We follow the recommendation of the Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) that your child has their first dental visit by age 1 or 6 months after the first tooth erupts. It is important that a “Dental Home” is established for your child where they will have preventive and routine dental care. Every parent is concerned about how their child will behave during this first dental visit. Our goal is for all of our new patients to have a FUN, EXCITING, and EDUCATIONAL visit. We are committed to ensure the most positive experience for your child.
BE POSITIVE
Don’t let your child know of any anxiety you may have about dental visits. Use words of encouragement like “you will do great” or “this will be fun”, and not fear provoking phrases like “this will not hurt” or “don’t be afraid/scared”.
SET A GOOD EXAMPLE
Talking to your children about how you go see your dentist often gets them excited about visiting “their” dentist. There are child friendly picture books about going to the dentist at the public library for you and your child to read together.
DON'T OVEREXPLAIN
Don’t give your child more information that he/she is able to understand. Avoid using words like “hurt”, “drill”, “pull”, “needle”, or “shot”. Our staff uses only child-friendly words in describing procedures and instruments.
If your child is over the age of 3, be prepared to allow your child to go into the treatment area with one of our experienced staff members. We have deliberately let aside sufficient time for your child to experience a well planned, pleasant introductory dental visit. We will invite you to come in toward the end of your child’s visit and at that time, we will discuss with you what we have found. Sometimes, it can be difficult to gain a child’s attention when he/she is distracted by parents and siblings. We try to keep our focus at all times on your child, and parental presence can occasionally undermine the communication and rapport that we are trying to establish with your child. If your child shows anxiety about coming to the treatment area without you, you may certainly accompany him/her. Some children, particularly the youngest, are often more comfortable with a parent nearby. We may, however, ask you to be a “silent observer” and stand by quietly, in order to gives us the opportunity to establish communication and trust directly with your child.
PARENTS’ GUIDE ENSURE A BETTER DENTAL HEALTH FOR YOUR CHILD
Like pediatrics in medicine, pediatric dentistry is devoted exclusively to children.
The specialty of pediatric dentistry requires an additional 2–3 years of training beyond dental school in areas such as growth and development, child psychology, pediatric medical conditions, and minor orthodontic treatment.
