Your child should visit the dentist early in their life. You can make the first visit to the dentist enjoyable and positive. Your child should be informed of the visit and told that the dentist and his staff will explain all procedures and answer any questions. The less to-do concerning the visit, the better. Parents are welcome to accompany their child for cleanings and new patient visits; however, we do ask that you allow your children to accompany our staff members by themselves for any dental experiences that involve restorations. We are all highly experienced in helping children overcome anxiety. Separation anxiety is not uncommon in children, so please try not to be concerned if your child exhibits some negative behavior. This is normal and will soon diminish. Studies and experience have shown that most children over the age of 3 react more positively when permitted to experience the dental visit on their own and in an open environment designed for children. It is best if you refrain from using words around your child that might cause unnecessary fear, such as needle, pull, drill or hurt. The office makes a practice of using words that convey the same message, but are pleasant and non-frightening to the child. We highly recommend using sealants on children's permanent teeth. This procedure is done as soon as the tooth erupts before the tooth gets any decay. The top grooves on the biting surface are filled in with a plastic material to protect the enamel. It is a painless procedure. The material bonds to the tooth and prevents bacteria and plaque from getting into the grooves, the area of the tooth where decay is most prevalent. We recommend that all kids receive fluoride topical after cleaning up to the age of 16, at least. Fluoride will help protect the teeth and prevent much of the decay. We strive to make each and every visit to our office a fun one. We have even added special children’s rooms to the office. The staff has designed cartoon themed rooms. There are children’s tapes, Videos, and music available to help entertain your child. Parents are invited to accompany children to this room if they would like to view it.