How to Prepare for Your Child's First Dental Visit
Your child’s first dental appointment is an exciting milestone! The goal is to make it fun, positive, and memorable because dentistry is for life. 

✅ What to Do

• Keep it positive: Say things like, “The dentist is going to count your teeth and see how your smile is growing.”
• Use simple words: Talk about counting teeth or looking at smiles, not scary treatments.
• Book smart: If your child gets tired later in the day, make the appointment in the morning.
• Time with medication:  If your child takes daily medication, book their visit about an hour after they’ve taken it.
• Ask for photos: Many clinics can send a photo of the dental chair, room, or even the dentist. Looking at these beforehand can help your child feel familiar.
• Go before there’s pain First visits should be calm and happy, not linked to toothaches.

🚫 What Not to Do

• Don’t share your own dental fears or bad experiences.
• Don’t talk about “holes,” “needles,” “fillings,” or “decay.”
• Don’t say, “If you don’t brush, they’ll give you a big needle!”
• Don’t tell them they’ll be “told off.”

💡 If Your Child is Nervous

• Call your clinic ahead of time and let them know.
• Ask about desensitisation strategies, like sending photos or doing a short “hello visit.”

✨ Tip: The first visit is about building trust, not treatment. Keep it light, fun, and exciting so your child sees dental visits as a normal part of life!