First dental visit

September 22, 2009

I brought my 4 yo to the dentist for his first visit, and was somewhat disturbed by their protocol. They started out trying to take x-rays (wasnt going to happen) and then they just gave up and said to wait for the dentist. When he got to the dentist they got him to sit in the treatment chair (just barely) and proceeded to explain what they were going to do to him (good). When they began lowering the chair he practically jumped out, but they were eventually able to calm him down. They counted his teeth; checked for cavities, and brushed (electric) and flossed his teeth. I was pretty impressed that he allowed them to do all that, but was surprised that they did so much. Here are the things that bothered me:

1. Unless he had observable problems, was he too young for x-rays? Should I verify that theyҒre digital?

2. When he was in the treatment chair I asked what they would do if he just didnt want to cooperate. They told me that they would have put him in restraints (:eek: җ never would have happened!)

I went in thinking that all they would do is just count his teeth. Can anyone tell me what is a reasonable protocol for first time pediatric visit?

DPline

September 22, 2009

My children started going to the dentist before age 2 for my younger two children and age 3 for my older son. We have always gone to a pediatric dentist.

My daughter wouldn't cooperate for x-rays until she was 4 or so, but my boys had them at their first visits. It was explained to me that the x-rays are done to ensure there is no decay between the teeth that can't be seen, as well as checking the development of the adult teeth in the gums.

From their first visit my kids have had their teeth examined and cleaned, as well as x-rays for the ones who would cooperate. My daughter sat in my lap for her first few visits until she was more comfortable, while my boys were ok with me sitting next to them.

I don't think x-rays and cleaning are unreasonable for a first visit. But you might consider finding another dentist, particularly a pediatric dentist, who you would feel more comfortable with and has more experience dealing with young children.

Good luck!

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HappyTwinsMom

September 22, 2009

Was it a pediatric dentist? Sounds pretty harsh for a peds specialist to me. We started taking our daughters to the dentist at 13 months, so they've never had any fear of what's being done - they even got braces in February without a complaint (and they were only 7 at the time).

I think our first x-rays were about a year ago. Seems a little odd to take them without an obvious problem.

FamilyLove4

January 24, 2010

You probably don't care by now about this topic but as a hygienist, we do happy visits. The child directs the appointment. Meaning we take them into the operatory with the parent; show them the mirror, tooth counter, Mr. Thristy (suction), air/water, tooth scrappers for sugar bugs, Mr. Tickler (polisher), big flash light to see in the dark cave. Then we have the child jump up in the chair, give them a ride like at the carnival; and then see if he/she will let us look. It is a 50/50 visit initial and it should just be an introduction to the dentist not a scare tactic. We do try x-ryays if the child is cooperative to the camera and feel of the films in the mouth. Decay is cannot be seen just visually it needs an x-ray to we can catch things before they start. The radiation from an x-ray is about 10 minutes in the sun and we know kids spend way more time in the sun then that. Digital does not cut down on radiaton exposure. Hope this helps for the 6 month visit.

Barksum

March 2, 2010

Chiming in late here, too, but HOLY COW! My kids went for their first dental visits around age 2 or 3, depending. The first 'visit' was an intro to the chair and the instruments, and then we left. Nothing else, no xrays, nothing else at all.

Then they went in for their first exam and cleaning (which is just toothbrushing, flossing, and a tooth count). We didn't do xrays until the 2nd visit or so, I'm pretty sure. For one they didn't have big enough mouths, for another they didn't have small enough xray thingies.

And restraints? :eek: Um...no.

omzig

July 17, 2010

DS had his first visit shortly after he turned two. He got to go in the room and see the big chair but for the oral exam they did a lap-to-lap setup that worked out great. He sat on my lap facing me and stradling my legs. We held hands then he laid back and ended up with his head in the lap of the hygienist who was facing me (we sat with our knees together so he didn't have a gap to fall through). That way his hands were out of the way and he could make eye contact with me and the hygienist could see all of his teeth. I opened my mouth and he immitated me. She did a gentle probing and counted his teeth. She finished by brushing and giving him the toothbrush to take home. He picked out a toy and can't wait to go back! They did not attempt any x-rays. Restraint - no way - unless you count me holding his hands but he wasn't held down (and didn't need to be). They said if he showed resistance at any time we were done but he thought it was all very cool.