Office Visit

Our practice is committed to providing you and your family with safe, gentle, high-quality dental care. We understand that your child may feel anxious about visiting the dentist. We are sensitive to children’s needs and it is our goal to make your child feel comfortable visiting our practice while providing the best care possible.

Your first visit is all about your child — his or her comfort, happiness, and health.

During your child’s first visit, we will review his/her dental and medical history and, starting at age four, take X-rays of his/her teeth and mouth. One of our hygienists will clean and polish your child’s teeth checking for any cavities or early signs of tooth decay or gingivitis. Dr. Wullbrant will meet with you and your child to examine his/her mouth and discuss the X-rays. He will present a detailed treatment plan, if necessary, and answer any questions that you may have. Dr. Wullbrandt, with his skill and years of experience, will tend to any problems presented. His desire is to be an encouragement to you and your child through each dental experience from extensive treatment needs to a high five for no cavities! Finally, we will schedule treatment appointments as needed along with your child’s next cleaning appointment so as to continue on our path of partnership to ensure your child’s excellent dental health.

Infant Exam

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentists recommends that children begin going to the dentist for regular visits within six months after their first tooth erupts, thus starting around age 6 to 18 months old. So, what does an appointment for such a young child look like? A lot of the appointment involves communication with you, the parent, discussing your child’s current toothbrushing, feeding, and other habits (i.e. pacifier use or thumb sucking). We also spend ample time with education about best practices in these areas. When it comes time to actually look at, brush, and place fluoride on your child’s teeth, we do so quickly and in a way to help your child feel most secure. Typically, we begin by having your child face you sitting in your lap with his/her legs straddled around you as if you were going to give a cuddle. Dr. Wullbrandt faces you with his knees touching yours (called a knee-to-knee exam). Then you are able to lay your child’s head back onto Dr. Wullbrandt’s lap with you holding your child’s hands. Now Dr. Wullbrandt is able to look at the teeth, brush the teeth, and place fluoride in a matter of seconds. Once finished, your child can immediately return to a cuddle position. More often than not your child (because of age) will cry during this short exam phase, but again the method is such that he/she feels secure before and after the quick exam. Usually, after the exam is done, Dr. Wullbrandt will try to make eye contact one more time with your child to communicate with facial expression and body language that all is well!

Special Needs Care

As a pediatric dental office, we have particular training and experience in treating children with special needs. Children with special needs often need a compassionate dental team to handle challenges they face when going to the dentist. Adults with special needs often face similar challenges. We at Children’s Dental Care consider it our pleasure to help special needs children and some adults with their dental care. In general, we use an approach that focuses on building rapport, establishing consistency, and utilizing the means of varying levels of sedation if necessary. 

Definitely bring your smile, but also remember to bring these with you to your child’s first appointment:

• Your completed patient information forms (provided electronically after scheduling your first appointment)
• Your insurance card

Regular checkups are an important part of maintaining a healthy smile!

The American Dental Association recommends that children visit the dentist every six months for regular checkups and routine teeth cleanings to keep teeth and gums healthy. 

We understand that your family has a busy schedule, so when you’re preparing for a dental visit, please keep in mind that your child’s six-month checkup may last between 30 and 45 minutes.