First Visits
What To Expect At Your Child’s First Visit
At Tacoma Pediatric Dentistry, our goal is to make your visit stress-free, comfortable, and enjoyable, both for you and your children. We love meeting new families and introducing kids to the importance of dentistry! Wondering what to expect when your kiddo comes to our office for the first time? Get a sneak peek now!
The Appointment Process
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Exam
Your child can relax and enjoy our play area and comfortable office. Once it’s time for their appointment, we’ll bring you back to one of our comfy pediatric operatories and you can enjoy our beautiful views. During exams, we encourage you to stay with your child throughout their whole visit. Dr. Anderson or Dr. Webb will take X-rays and carefully check your child’s gums and teeth to check for any dental issues like cavities.
Cleaning
During the appointment, one of our dental assistants will perform a thorough cleaning. They’ll scrape away plaque, floss your child’s teeth, and polish them. This keeps their smile bright and helps prevent cavities, too!
Treatment Plan
After the exam and cleaning is completed, Dr. Anderson or Dr. Webb will discuss your little one’s oral health with you, as well as any treatments that are necessary. We always take the time to explain all of your options, answer any questions, and discuss what to expect when developing a customized treatment plan.
Complimentary First Visits
For Children Under 1
We're committed to providing compassionate and gentle dental care for children of all ages, including babies! The AAPD recommends that infants should see the dentist when their first tooth emerges or their first birthday, whichever comes first. Schedule your children’s complimentary first visit before their first birthday and stay on top of their oral development. We're committed to making your first visit to Tacoma Pediatric Dentistry a positive experience for the whole family.
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What To Bring To The Appointment
Done scheduling their first visit? You’ll just need to bring in a few things to make sure your little one is good to go at Tacoma Pediatric Dentistry.
✓ New patient forms
✓ Dental insurance card
✓ Medical health history
✓ Valid form of ID
✓ Your child’s favorite toy or blanket
✓ List of any questions
How We Keep Kiddos Comfy
Truly Tailored Care
Your child is one-of-a-kind! So our team takes the time to get to know them, learn more about how they feel about dentistry, and create a fun and unique experience just for them.
Kid Tested, Parent Approved Office
Our office is comfy both for parents and kids, and has plenty of amenities for patients of all ages:
✓ TVs in operatories
✓ Polycade gaming station
✓ Sensory-adapted dental environment
Behavior Guidance Counseling
Sitting in the dental chair isn't easy for every child. At Tacoma Pediatric Dentistry, our doctors and staff use research-backed behavior guidance techniques that empower your child to face challenges, overcome obstacles, and gain confidence as they learn how to take charge of their oral health.
Desensitization Appointments
If your child needs a little more time to get adjusted to our office, we understand! At Tacoma Pediatric Dentistry, you are welcome to bring your in child in for a tour of our space and introduce them to our team. We also offer a desensitization program, where families can to schedule a series of visits to discuss the basics of dentistry and help children get acclimated and comfortable in our office. Desensitization is a highly effective type of behavior therapy used to help individuals become less sensitive or fearful, and can help children adjust to the dental office.
An Environment You’ll Both Appreciate
With beautiful views, a subdued color palette and plenty of space for kids to play, you and your children will feel right at home at Tacoma Pediatric Dentistry.
Nutritional Counseling
For every one of our patients, a proper diet is essential for a healthy mouth. As part of your child’s appointment at Tacoma Pediatric Dentistry, we don’t talk about “good” foods and “bad” foods, but our dentists can recommend dietary modifications and other lifestyle changes that will help protect your child’s oral health and overall health, too.
How To Prepare Your Child For Their Dental Visit
An amazing dental experience starts before your child even walks into Tacoma Pediatric Dentistry. Want to set your child up for success? Here are a few tips and tricks to get them prepared for their visit:
Stay Positive
When you discuss dental visits, only use positive language! Focus on how dental care keeps their smile healthy and bright. Please don’t share negative experiences or use dentistry as a threat. We want kids to look forward to their dental visits and set them up for success.
Be Their Brushing Buddy
Brushing with your child makes things more fun! You can sing your favorite two-minute song and keep an eye on their technique to make sure they're cleaning their teeth thoroughly.
Watch Videos
There are tons of child-friendly YouTube videos out there that explain the basics of brushing, flossing, and keeping teeth healthy. Watch a few with your child to introduce them to the basics! We especially recommend Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood- Daniel Gets His Teeth Cleaned from PBS Kids!
Read On
Plenty of children’s books about dentistry, too! Check a few out from the library and read them with your child. They’ll learn the basics of proper dental care while also enjoying colorful illustrations and plenty of lovable characters.
