What to Expect at Your Child’s First Pediatric Visit
Your child’s first dental visit sets the tone for subsequent visits. The American Association of Pediatric Dentistry recommends children be seen by a dentist by their first birthday or no more than six months after their first baby tooth has come in. That visit gives us the opportunity to start developing trust with your child so that they feel comfortable with us and don’t fear seeing their Florida pediatric dentist.
What’s Involved in Creating a Dental Home for Your Child?
What comes to mind when you think of the word “home”? If you’re like us, it’s a comfortable environment that’s as “you” as possible. That’s the type of environment we try to foster in this practice. Dr. Busciglio and his team want your child to feel as comfortable going to a dental appointment as they do going to their own home. Here’s how we do that.
Comfortable, Welcoming Environment
Kids are smart. They can feel when people around them are uptight, uncomfortable, or don’t want to be around anyone. We always want your child to feel welcome in this office, which is why every person that Dr. Busciglio has hired is kind, compassionate, and loves working with kids.
Custom Treatment Planning
We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to dental care. Every child is unique, and your child’s pediatric dentist will create a custom treatment plan based on their individual needs and desires. We’ll discuss all treatment options with you – and with your child when it comes to the important things, like choosing the best color for their new retainer or sports guard.
Standard Complimentary Services
At age seven, every child receives a complimentary orthodontic assessment. We want to address every dental need your child might have, from treating cavities and preventing gum disease to creating custom appliances and taking care of bite misalignment.
Work Hard to Reduce or Eliminate Dental Anxiety
We’ll take your child’s unique needs into consideration. If they have any triggers (like loud sounds or bright lights) that upset them, we’ll cater to their needs. If your child is suffering from high dental anxiety, we’ll proceed when they’re ready and at a pace that makes them feel comfortable.
What Will Happen at Your Child’s First Dental Visit?
Your child’s first visit is mostly a “let’s get to know each other” appointment. If your child is still a baby, Dr. Busciglio will do a lap exam, where he’ll examine your child’s teeth while they sit in your lap and only when they’re ready. If your child is a bit older, we’ll get to know them on a personal level to help build a comfortable, trusting relationship. Then, we’ll start the examination.
Every step of the way, Dr. Busciglio or his assistant will explain what he’s doing, what tools he’s using and why, and more. During the exam, he’ll check your child’s:
- Teeth
- Gum tissue
- Other soft tissues of the mouth and throat
- The neck and head
- The jaw joint
- Their bite
If your child is comfortable enough, we can perform a dental cleaning and a fluoride treatment. Of course, your child will get a cool prize at the end of the appointment because they totally earned it!
We Cater to Kids – Contact Us to Learn More
Every child has their own unique needs. We want to cater to your child so they can feel comfortable going to the dentist – now and when they’re an adult.
If your child has special needs, such as an anxiety disorder or developmental disability, please contact us. We’d love to discuss your child’s needs and how best to serve them, so their first dental visit is a success.
What Our Patients Are Saying
“Very nice. Dr Busciglio was very personable and professional with an excellent bedside manner. The Brandon location was very clean and well-equipped with super nice staffing. They were able to accommodate us coming from out of town. Thank you so much! Highly recommended!”
Terry M.
