First Visit

"First visit by first birthday" is the recommendation of this office, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and the American Academy of Pediatricians. Early examination and preventive care will protect your child's smile now and in the future.

Parents can make the first visit to our office enjoyable and positive. If old enough, your child should be informed of the visit and told that Dr. Goyal and his staff will explain all procedures and answer any questions.

You and your child will be accompanied by the assistant and shown around the office. We encourage you to accompany your child for their first visit. Any necessary X-rays and/or fluoride therapy may be accomplished during this first visit. At this visit, we will discuss/perform:

• An oral cancer assessment
• Prophylactic cleaning
• Preventative fluoride application
• Digital X-rays to diagnose cavities, infection, bone level, and development abnormalities
• Nutritional counseling and preventive education shall be discussed (thumb, pacifier, finger habits, baby bottle, Sippy cups)
• Oral hygiene instructions (proper brushing and flossing techniques)
• Orthodontic evaluation (if braces are necessary)
• An individualized treatment plan will be performed as part of the comprehensive exam.

We want your child to have a comfortable, fun, and positive experience. Dentistry can be scary for children, so our staff and Dr. Goyal will take the time to try to ease your child’s fear and educate them about the dental tools in our office. We are here to answer your questions and show you special techniques to keep your child’s mouth as healthy as possible.

We use age-appropriate words to explain various dental treatments and instruments. This is accomplished by using large, friendly tooth models and stuffed animals. We also offer video games and movies to keep your child engaged and toys are offered at the end of the visit for a great dental check-up or filling appointment. For anxious children, Dr. Goyal is trained in providing laughing gas (nitrous oxide) and can offer sedation dentistry.