The Australian Dental Association recommends that your child’s first oral health visit take place at 12 months of age, or shortly after the eruption of the first baby teeth.
It’s important to start dental visits early and attend these regularly, rather than waiting for a painful and often costly problem to occur. Children who have regular check-ups and are comfortable with visiting the dentist tend to have fewer dental problems, and are less likely to be afraid of dental treatments.
During your child’s first or subsequent visits, the dentist may do the following:
- Assess your child’s risk of dental problems such as decay, crooked teeth, growth abnormalities
- Clean your child’s teeth (if required)
- Provide oral health care hygiene tips for you and your child to ensure correct oral hygiene techniques are used at home
- Apply a fluoride treatment (depending on the age of the child and risk of decay)
- Provide dental treatment (if required)
Anxiety About Visits to the Dentist
Some children may feel anxious or frightened about visiting the dentist. Treat the appointment as an ordinary event rather than a “big deal”. It may be helpful if your child sits on your lap during the check-up, instead of in the dental chair. To prepare them for their first visit to the dentist it is a good idea to bring them along to your own dental check-up so they can watch what happens and get used to the surgery environment, the smells and the sounds. If they can see you being calm during an examination it will reassure them. It is not uncommon for very young children to resist the dentist’s attempts to look at their teeth – so it’s important that you reassure your child and don’t let your own dental fears or phobias affect them. Make sure your child is not tired or ill on the day of the appointment, and aim for morning appointments where possible. Ensure you inform your dentist about any medical or psychological problems that your child may have before the visit.