Before Your Visit
Because good dental care is such an important part of your child’s total well being, we need your help in getting your child off to a good start.

Every effort will be made to make the dental treatment as pleasant as possible for your child. We are dedicated to providing very thorough and careful dentistry.

Here are some of the ways that you can help to make sure that dental visits are enjoyable for your child:

• Before your child’s first visit, emphasize the positive aspects of good dental care. Tell your child that visiting the dentist is an important part of growing up.


• Condition your child to expect to have a pleasant experience. Say, “Drs. Johnston and Richardson are always very careful and gentle when they work. “ Emphasize the positive.


• Expect your child to react well and enjoy visits to the dentist, and he will probably do just that.

If you have dental insurance, you’ll need to provide an insurance card when you come for your first visit. You’ll also be asked to complete a form which will give us information about your child’s general health.

During Your First Visit
Kindness is the best tool we have in getting your child started on a lifetime of good dental health. If your child should be afraid because it’s a new situation, please be reassuring. Children are often afraid of anything strange or new. They may even cry at first. Working together, we can overcome any apprehension your child may have.

We invite parents into the treatment areas, especially on the first visit. There may be times or situations in which the parent may choose or be asked to remain in the reception area. Regardless, we will discuss all our findings, suggested treatment, and estimated costs with you after every visit.

At the first visit, you can expect your child to receive the following services:

• Instruction in proper oral hygiene


• Cleaning and polishing the teeth


• Examining for decay and developmental deformities


• Topical fluoride treatment


• X-rays, where necessary