First Dental Visit

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that you visit a pediatric dentist no later than your child’s first birthday – and preferably within six months of their first tooth appearing.

At Derby City Pediatric Dentistry, we make this first visit a fun, easy, stress-free experience. We also offer a sensory-friendly atmosphere for children with special needs and are equipped to treat those on the autism spectrum. Please let us know about any special needs your child may have, so that we may cater to them and make you as comfortable as possible.

What to Expect

At the first visit, we’ll get to know you and your child. We’ll also educate you on the health of their teeth – including how to prevent cavities from an early age.

This first visit accomplishes three things:

  • It familiarizes you and your child with our staff and our office.

  • It introduces your child (and you) to specific language that the office uses.

  • It allows Dr. Korie to do a quick exam, looking for decay, gum issues or other problems that may affect teeth or growth and development in the future.

Feel free to bring a list of questions to this appointment – we’ll take the time to answer any and all concerns you might have to ensure you and your child feel comfortable.

Parents Are Welcome

We encourage parents to join their children for the exam.

This enables our team to teach parents brushing and flossing techniques, discuss habits such as thumb
sucking and pacifier use, and provide instructions on dental emergencies or trauma.

A few tips for parents:

It can be confusing for children when multiple people are giving directions, so we kindly ask parents to
play the role of a silent, supportive observer and allow the child to take direction from Dr. Korie and her team.

It’s best for siblings to remain at home unless they have an appointment so that parents can really
focus on the visit at hand and the information being discussed.

Talk It Up

Prepare your child for their first visit by reassuring them that it will be a fun time where Dr. Korie will count, brush and perhaps take pictures of their teeth. It’s important for children to think of the dentist’s office as a positive place from an early age.

If they are anxious or have sensory issues, it’s often helpful to prepare them by showing them our office tour in advance – so they know exactly what to expect.

New parent?

We know you probably have a lot of new experiences to enjoy and many new routines to think about.
Check out our “growth chart” for dental health HERE.