A child’s first dental visit sets the tone for decades. Get it right and the dentist becomes a normal, even fun, part of life. Get it wrong and you can spend years undoing the fear.
When to come
Around age two is ideal — and definitely before the adult teeth start arriving at about age six. Early visits are short and gentle: a ride in the chair, counting teeth, a sticker at the end. The goal is familiarity, not treatment.
The words matter
Kids take their cues from you. What helps:
- Keep it matter-of-fact and positive — “the dentist is going to count your teeth.”
- Let them watch a favourite character’s dentist episode beforehand.
- Avoid the words hurt, needle and brave — even “it won’t hurt” plants the idea that it might.
Should you stay in the room?
For children under six, yes — your presence is reassuring. Many older kids actually do better without a parent watching, and we’ll guide you on what’s working on the day.
It may cost you nothing
Eligible children receive up to $1,158 of dental care over two years under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule, which we bulk-bill — covering check-ups, cleans, x-rays, fillings and more. Call us and we’ll check your child’s eligibility before you book.
