This is a common question that we get asked at Finney Family Dentistry, and one that is certain to get you different answers depending on who you talk to. The American Dental Association recommends that your child see a dentist for their first check-up no later than their first birthday. At Finney Family Dentistry we recommend you bring your child in to see us between the ages of 1-3yrs old. Since going to the dentist can be a stressful event, for children and adults alike, we try to make that first visit a fun one. We treat the first check-up with your child as a “meet and greet” where we show them around the office explaining what everything is and how it helps us care for their teeth.

The goal of this first meeting is to get your child to feel comfortable and at ease in this new environment. At Finney Family Dentistry we believe it’s important to start off on the right foot so that we may set the foundation for a trusting doctor-patient relationship that will last well into adulthood. That’s why we never “press the issue” when it comes to that first exam. If your child is comfortable enough to sit in the chair and allow us to examine their teeth; that’s great! If not, no problem, we can try again another time. We want to make sure your child leaves our office having had a positive experience. Good oral hygiene and habits start in childhood and we want to start them off on the right track.

Feel free to bring your child in during your own appointment for this quick “meet and greet” or you can set up an appointment just for them. We promise to try to make that first visit a fun one full of smiles, learning, and new experiences. And of course, no “meet and greet” is complete without a trip to see our 210 gallon aquarium and a little prize to take home.

 click here to learn more about the famous Finney Family Dentistry Aquarium

Click here to read a testimonial from a parent about their child’s experience at Finney Family Dentistry Testimonials