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Most parents will agree, your child’s first trip to the dentist can be quite scary. Imagine trying to take four toddlers and convince each of them to open up and say “ahhh.” It’s actually something I was able to accomplish all because I chose to take my daughters to a pediatric dentist.

There are several schools of thought as to when a child should have her first dental exam. My daughters’ pediatrician and my own dentist said age three. The American Dental Association says no later than your child’s first birthday. We waited until age three and were cavity free, but that doesn’t mean you’ll have the same results.

Originally I planned to take my daugthers to my own dentist. Then I tried to make an appointment and the receptionist wasn’t keen on having young multiples in the office, going so far as to say I would be “wasting” valuable appointment time if my girls refused to open their mouths for a cleaning. So I moved to plan B and found a pediatric dentist. 

From the moment we arrived I knew our appointment would go well. There were video games in the lobby, which kept my daughters occupied until their appointment. This particular dentist has a safari theme, so each girl had her “passport photo” taken and received a stamp when she completed a task. The hygienists let each of my daughters try out the equipment, so they had a chance to squirt the water tools and even use the power toothbrushes. When the dentist came to check their teeth he sang an alphabet related song which alerted the hygienist to any problems, yet kept my girls entertained.

There’s nothing wrong with a good old-fashioned “regular” dentist, but having someone who only sees children really made the experience an enjoyable one for my daughters. They’re already asking to go back for a check-up.

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