First Visit

Let’s Start the Journey—Together

Most major medical and dental organizations—including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Dental Association (ADA), and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD)—recommend that children see a dentist by their first birthday, or soon after.

This early visit isn’t about “finding cavities.” It’s about creating a dental home—a trusted place your family can turn to for guidance, prevention, and care as your child grows. Having a dental home means your child’s oral health is supported in a way that’s consistent, coordinated, accessible, and centered around your family’s needs—whether it’s a routine checkup or an unexpected concern.

The First Visit Really Starts at Home

Children take emotional cues from their parents, especially in new situations. Before your child’s visit, the most helpful thing you can do is keep the tone calm and positive—even if your own dental experiences as a child weren’t great. Pediatric dentistry has changed a lot, and our entire approach is built around comfort, communication, and trust.

When talking with your child, keep explanations simple and reassuring:

• “Dr. Ray is going to count and brush your teeth.”
• “He’ll use a tiny mirror to look at your smile.”
• “He might take pictures to make sure your teeth are healthy.”

Reading a dentist-themed book together or playing “dentist” at home can also help your child feel prepared and in control. Practicing opening wide or letting you look at their teeth can turn the visit into something familiar instead of intimidating.

We also recommend avoiding words that can create unnecessary fear, such as needle, shot, pull, drill, or hurt. In our office, we’re very intentional about using child-friendly, non-scary language—and we appreciate parents partnering with us in that approach.

What to Expect at Your Child’s First Visit

You’re always welcome to stay with your child throughout the visit. We ask that you arrive about 10 minutes early so your child has time to settle in and explore the space, and so we can take care of any paperwork without rushing.

During the visit, our focus is on learning about your child. We’ll gather information to create a personalized prevention plan and talk through brushing, flossing, diet, and fluoride in a way that’s specific to your child’s age, habits, and risk factors.

Dr. Ray will perform a gentle, comprehensive exam that includes:

• Checking for early signs of tooth decay
• Evaluating your child’s bite and jaw development
• Monitoring growth and development
• Discussing oral habits like thumb, finger, or pacifier use
• Identifying your child’s individual cavity risk

Dental X-rays are recommended only when truly necessary. For infants and toddlers, we often use a knee-to-knee exam, where your child sits on your lap and gently leans back so Dr. Ray can complete the exam. This approach keeps children comfortable, supported, and involved—while allowing parents to stay close.

If treatment is ever needed, Dr. Ray will take the time to walk you through all appropriate options, explain the pros and cons, and help you make the best decision for your child—without pressure.

What Happens at My Child’s First Visit

We invite you to stay with your child through each step of the first visit. You will want to arrive at least 10 minutes prior to your appointment so you can complete any necessary paperwork and allow your child some time to adjust and explore our office. Please note that we ask all children seen at our office to be up to date on vaccinations, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP, 2025) and the Pre-2025 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guidelines. Delayed vaccination schedules and medical exemptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

During your first visit we will gather all the information we need to develop a preventative program unique to your child. We will discuss appropriate home care such as brushing, flossing, diet and fluoride as it relates to your child specifically. Dr. Ray will perform a comprehensivedental exam for each child, identify any risk factors, and discuss their dental caries risk. He will check for any tooth decay, examine their occlusion (bite), evaluate for any dental growth or developmental concerns, and discuss any oral habits such as the thumb, finger or pacifier use.

Dr. Ray will recommend dental xrays only if necessary. For infants and toddlers we typically perform a “knee-to-knee” exam. For this exam, a child sits on your lap and leans back onto a soft pillow resting on Dr. Ray’s knees to complete the examination. This allows parent participation for the exam, and therefore, added comfort for your child. If Dr. Ray determines your child needs dental treatment he will discuss all the options offered in our office and help you make the best choice for your child.

Ready for Your First Visit?

We’d love to welcome your family and be part of your child’s healthcare team. Call High House Pediatric Dentistry at 919.267.4211 to schedule your child’s first visit.

We look forward to meeting you—and helping your child build a healthy, confident smile from the very beginning.