W hen the time comes for your child's first visit to the dentist, it can be a nerve-racking experience forboth young and old. However, with a little preparation and understanding, it doesn't need to be difficult. Keep these tips in mind when you take your child to the dentist for the first time.
Tips For Parents
The first thing you need to do is to keep all talk of the dentist positive. If your child overhears you complaining about your own dental visits, they can pick up this behaviour and attitude and it will make it harder when it comes time for them to go, too. When it is their turn, keep up the positivity. Avoid words such as 'hurt', 'needle', and 'drill', and let them know that the dentist just wants to take a look and make sure everything is growing as it should.
You may be able to find a storybook or a video (you Tube) https://youtu.be/mI0WOCaK22Y about a dentist so that your child can relate to it and see images of the chair, room and lights so that he or she knows what to expect. Similarly, the Australian Dental Association recommends 'playing dentist' at home to get your child used to someone looking at his or her teeth. This might only involve taking turns to put on sunglasses, shine a light into the mouth, and counting the teeth, but it will all make your young one feel more comfortable during the real thing.
Bringing toys along to the appointment can also be a huge help, so don't forget to throw a couple of their favourite distractions in the bag just in case they become upset. Some fussing during this appointment is nothing to worry about, but if your child is truly unhappy and can't be calmed down, simply remove them from the situation and try again in a few months.
Booking Your Child's First Appointment
Your child's first appointment at the practice will be with our oral health therapist. The appointmentwill consist of a training session on oral hygiene such as brushing and diet, as well as a check-up to confirm all the teeth are healthy. Oral health therapist will also take a look at your child's jaw to ensure there is no misalignment or other growth problems.
Our oral health therapist is dedicated to ensuring your child develops a strong and lasting oral hygiene routine. From the time your child arrives at the practice, the team at Robina Town Dental help to make your child relax and feel comfortable during their visit. The best time to bring them in for an appointment is generally around 2-3yrs of age, or earlier if you have a concern.
The best time to bring them in for an appointment is generally around 2-3yrs of age, or earlier if you have a concern. We recommend bringing your child in for a visit while a parent or sibling is having their preventive care appointment so they can be familiar with the environment, meet the friendly team and have a ride in the chair prior to their appointment.
To book your child's first visit get in touch with the team at Robina Town Dental. The team there are trained and experienced in caring for your child’s teeth from the very first visit, and will be happy to talk you through this experience.
What Is The CDBS?
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) is a project that offers free basic dental services to eligible children aged 2-17. Approximately 3.4 million Australian kids qualify for this program every year. Treatments include general dentistry such as cleans, X-rays, check-ups, to extractions and fillings should they need it. Each child in the program is entitled to $1,000 per two-year period, but it is important to note that this fund does not cover high-end services such as orthodontics. Take advantage of the program now, you never know when this program will cease.
Treatments include general dentistry such as, cleans, X-rays, check-ups, to extractions and fillings should they need it. Each child in the program is entitled to $1,000 per two-year period, but it is important to note that this fund does not cover high-end services such as orthodontics. Take advantage of the program now, you never know when this program will cease.