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 As soon as you enter our office, you will notice that dentistry for children has changed in many ways. Start your visit by registering at the appropriate pediatric or orthodontic area. You are on your way to a great first experience. Our open reception area is a welcoming room filled with activities, videos and electronic games to engage and relax your child. Our world class pediatric dental and orthodontic office is designed uniquely for children and their parents.
From the very first dental visit at their first birthday, we treat every child in our practice as if they are our own. You’ll definitely see “big kids” in our office too, because most of our patients stay with us through college age!
What about parents present in the dental treatment areas? Our practice philosophy is child-centered. We want you to be with your child during their visits with us. In fact, we insist on your presence because we want you to be by their side while they and you learn how to care for their smile. We welcome you in the dental treatment rooms and we encourage your participation throughout your child’s care. Let us know how we’re doing, so we can give you and your child the care you expect and deserve. And thank you for referring your family and friends to us. From all of us, welcome!
Your Baby's First Appointment
We follow the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and American Dental Association recommendations to see children
no later than their first birthday. This is especially important for your "first" child so we can help you to be comfortable with normal growth and development, feeding and oral habits. At this visit, we will check your child's oral cavity and provide you with oral hygiene instructions and other information. This infant appointment gives you and your child the right start for years of positive dental care. Our goal for your child is a lifetime of strong healthy teeth for a beautiful smile.
It is our goal to make your child’s visits a pleasant experience.
We want your child to be happy and look forward to visiting our office again.
Your Child’s First Dental Appointment
You can play a large part in preparing your child for his/her first visit to the dentist. Your child should be informed of the visit and told the dentist and his staff will explain all procedures and answer any questions. The less “to-do” concerning the visit, the better.
Before any procedures are started, we show and tell your child what we are going to do so we do not surprise your child. We anticipate age appropriate behavior. For instance, your two year old child does not like to sit still for even a minute. They may be unhappy or even cry when you hold them for longer than they want to be held. Children will usually work their way through it with our compassionate encouragement. Thank you for your cooperation.
We would like to make a few suggestions to prepare your child for the initial visit:
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First, present the visit as an exciting experience (for yourself) and for your child.
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Second, tell the child that the hygienist "will count", "brush", and "take pictures of their teeth." By explaining the exam and the cleaning in these terms, your child will better understand the situation.
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Try to be relaxed and at ease. Your child will sense any anxiety on your part.
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It is our job to make this the best positive experience possible. Avoid negative phrases such as "hurt", "drill", "pull", and "shot'. This initial examination involves nothing uncomfortable and should be perceived by the child as non-threatening.
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Assure your child that the doctor will be gentle and friendly. Please do not tell your child that “the dentist will not hurt”, as this probably would not otherwise have been a concern.
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We ask parents to assume the role of a silent observer. Your presence is greatly enhanced if you play a passive role. If more than one person is speaking to the child they may become confused. Cooperation and trust must be established directly between the doctor and your child and not through you.
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For the safety and privacy of all patients, other children who are not being treated should remain in the reception area with a supervising adult.
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Cell phone use is distracting to your child and others. Please refrain from using your cell phone in the office.
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Food and drinks are sources of contamination and compromise our standards of infection control. Therefore, please do not bring food or drinks into the office.
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Try not to schedule appointments at nap-time. Just as you and I dislike being disturbed from our rest, so do the little ones. Bring them in the early morning before naptime.
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If you know your child is not feeling well and has an elevated temperature, bringing them here is not good judgment for two reasons (1) Your child will be miserable and not have a very good experience and (2) Your child will probably infect the other children in the practice.
Initial Orthodontic Consultation
We look forward to meeting you on your first visit to our office. Your first orthodontic treatment visit is complimentary and Dr. Sheer will complete a thorough exam of your teeth, bite and jaw joints. He will explain his findings, make recommendations on how to correct your specific orthodontic problem, and answer any questions you may have. This visit will determine if this is the proper time to begin treatment.
Generally, orthodontic patients will fall into one of these three categories:
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Active orthodontic treatment is necessary and can be started in the near future.
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Benefits of early treatment for those patients who have clear indications for early intervention.
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Influence jaw growth in a positive manner
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Harmonize width of the dental arches
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Improve eruption patterns
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Lower risk of trauma to protruded upper incisors
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Correct harmful oral habits
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Improve aesthetics and self-esteem
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Simplify and/or shorten treatment time for later corrective orthodontics
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Reduce likelihood of impacted permanent teeth
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Improve some speech problems
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Preserve or gain space for erupting permanent teeth
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Recall examinations; checking on the patient from time to time as the permanent teeth come in and the jaws and face continue to grow until necessary treatment time is reached.
For your convenience prior to visiting our office, please
click on the link below to print the New Patient Health Form, complete the information and
bring it with you to your first visit.
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