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Your Child’s First Dental Visit—Establishing a “Dental Home”

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 preventative and routine oral health care.

The Dental Home is intended to provide a place other than the Emergency Room for patients.

Casey Dental is a very kid-friendly dental office staffed by a very skilled and caring dental team. Our office is beautifully decorated with artwork created by local artists—our very own talented patients! Our operatories are private rooms designed to focus on one patient at a time.

Our goal is to make your child’s first dental visit enjoyable and positive. Our staff along with Dr Casey, will review the patient’s health history and will discuss dietary and healthy dental hygiene habits with you.

We would encourage you to talk to your child about visiting the dentist well in advance of the first appointment. Please explain to your child that the visit will consist of having their teeth brushed, counted, polished, and sometimes pictures are even taken of their teeth! Please refrain from using words that might make a child anxious like: shots, needles, drilling or pulling. Assure the child that the dental team will take great care of them.

Reading books with your child about dental visits is also helpful. Remember to not only review the text in the books before sharing with your child but review the illustrations as well to make sure they do not include “scary faces”, needles or shots. If your child has a special toy or stuffed animal for comfort, feel free to have your child bring it with them.

You are welcome to stay with your child in the operatory during routine examinations. For the safety of the patient and staff, we ask that you remain in the reception area during dental treatment.