Your Child’s First
Dentist Appointment

If you are new to the area or in need of a pediatric dentist, we welcome new patients of any age up to 19 years old. All our patients receive individualized care, education, and treatment. Therefore your first visit would include a discussion on the preventive, restorative, and aesthetic dental care aspects we offer to meet the specific needs of your child.

Our office, as well as the The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Dental Association (ADA), and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) all recommend establishing a “Dental Home” for your child by one year of age.  Children who have a dental home are more likely to receive appropriate preventive and routine oral health care.

On your child’s first visit, we will discuss the best ways to brush and floss your child’s teeth, which areas you might be missing, create an individualized hygiene program, review your child’s diet, assess oral habits (thumb, finger or pacifier), and determine decay potential. We will also make a recommendation as to how often your child should see the dentist.

We invite you to accompany your child during the initial examination. During future appointments, we recommend you allow Dr. Raybould and his team to guide your child through their dental experience alone (for children 4 and over). The purpose of this request is to gain your child’s confidence and overcome anxiety. We will typically establish a closer rapport with your child when you are not present. However, if you choose, you are more than welcome to accompany your child to the treatment room. For the safety and privacy of all patients, other children who are not being treated should remain in the reception area with a supervising adult.