Some kids are excited to visit the dentist for the first time, while others can be pretty nervous—and regardless of what they’re feeling, it’s okay! Our team at Children’s Dental Center is very familiar with all of the nuances that come with our pediatric patients. Let’s talk about how to prepare for your child’s first dental visit—and how it can even be a fun occasion!
Why Is Starting Early Smarter?
If you’ve been tempted to think that you may not need to take your kids to the dentist early in their life, we want to emphasize a couple of important aspects of these early visits.
- Prevent Future Issues: Regular check-ups catch cavities, gum issues, and other concerns before they become more serious. In some cases, they aren’t obvious, which is why having a professional exam is important.
- Build Healthy Habits: Early visits teach kids the importance of brushing, flossing, and dental care, which can help positively reinforce these messages for years to come.
- Reduce Dental Anxiety: A positive first experience is deeply meaningful. It helps your child feel comfortable with dental visits as they grow up.

What to Expect
We can’t guarantee that every child will have an identical first appointment at Children’s Dental Center. After all, everyone’s oral anatomy and habits are different! However, there are a few expectations we try to live up to with every new patient who enters our practice.
1. Warm Welcome: Our amazing team will greet you and lay out what to expect during the visit. If your child is feeling nervous, we’ll take time to put them at ease. If they’re of speaking age, they’ll be able to meet and chat with Dr. Rowland, Dr. Selecman, Dr. Daniel, Dr. Greene, or Dr. Church before their exam begins.
2. Review of Medical and Dental History: We’ll discuss your child’s dental and medical history and any concerns you may have, such as teething, thumb-sucking, or nutrition. We pay close attention to the individual needs of each patient during every visit, but especially the first one, so that we can get an idea of the need for specialized treatment in the future.
3. Gentle Examination: Depending on your child’s age, the exam may be conducted using a lap-to-lap method (for infants and toddlers) or in a regular dental chair. We’ll:
- Check for cavities and tooth decay.
- Assess bite and jaw development.
- Examine gums and oral tissues for any potential issues.
4. Education for Parents: We’ll take time to discuss topics with you, such as:
- Proper brushing and flossing techniques for your child’s age.
- The importance of fluoride for developing teeth.
- How to address oral habits like thumb-sucking or lip-biting.
- Primary milestones in your child’s dental development to be aware of.
5. Cleaning and Fluoride Treatment (If Needed): If appropriate, we may clean your child’s teeth and apply fluoride to protect their enamel. We’ll also provide guidance on cavity prevention and maintaining healthy habits.
6. Positive Reinforcement: We’ll celebrate your child’s bravery with encouragement, praise, and a small prize to make the visit memorable and fun.
Preparing Your Child for Their Visit
As their parent or guardian, you know your child best! The following tools can be great to incorporate into your initial conversations about the dentist’s office but feel free to add other tools or techniques that suit your child’s learning style.
Relatable Explanations: Children love hearing stories and relatable comparisons. Use simple, positive language to explain why dental visits are important. It may also help to refer to their dentist by name. For example:
- “Dr. Rowland helps keep your teeth shiny and strong, just like eating healthy food helps your body stay strong.”
- “Dr. Greene will count all of your teeth and make them nice and clean so that they’re happy and healthy!”
Watch Educational Videos: Find fun videos about dental visits on YouTube Kids to make the experience seem exciting. Another approach could be to search for episodes of a favorite show that feature the characters visiting the dentist.
Bring a Comfort Item: The presence of a favorite stuffed animal, blanket, or toy can go a long way in helping your child handle their first visit better.
Plan a Fun Reward: A special trip to the playground, a favorite snack, or extra screen time can all be great ways to celebrate a successful visit.

Ready, Set, Grow!
We’ve talked a lot about how kids feel about their first visit, but we also want to put your mind at ease as the parent. Children’s dental health is a highly collaborative process that is bound to bear some challenges—but you’ll never have to face them alone at Children’s Dental Center. We’ll see your family soon in Arlington, Collierville, or Midtown!