Your Child's First Dental Visit: What Happens and How to Prepare
For parents planning a child's first dental visit. Children are welcome at Deepcar Dental Care from any age; we usually suggest a first visit by 3, and the first visit is just a look and a chat with no treatment. This page covers timing, preparing at home, words to avoid and what dental teams generally do.
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Clinically reviewed by Dr Ibraheem Ijaz, dentist · GDC 301711
Medical disclaimer: This page is for general information only. It does not replace an examination or treatment by a dentist.
This page is reviewed by Dr Ibraheem Ijaz, the practice's principal dentist and a General Dental Practitioner (GDC 301711). His qualifications are BDS, BSc (Hons), MSc (Leeds), PG Dip Implant Dentistry and PG Cert Restorative and Aesthetic Dentistry.
When should a child have their first dental visit?
NHS guidance is to take your child to the dentist when their first milk teeth appear, or before they are 12 months old. The British Society of Paediatric Dentistry's Dental Check by One campaign has the same aim, with the first birthday at the latest. The NHS says early visits are so children become familiar with the environment and get to know the dentist.
At Deepcar Dental Care, children are welcome from any age; we usually suggest a first visit by 3.
Primary tooth eruption varies. The NHS says most babies start teething at around 6 months, some before 4 months and some after 12 months, and most children have all their milk teeth by 2 to 3. If your baby has any symptoms that are causing you concern, the NHS advises getting medical advice from NHS 111 or a GP.
What happens at a child's first visit at Deepcar Dental Care?
At Deepcar Dental Care, a child's first visit is just a look and a chat with no treatment.
Children's dentistry at the practice is provided by our dentists, and your child's medical history can be completed online before the visit.
How can you prepare your child at home for a first dental visit?
Preparing a child for a first dental visit starts with keeping it positive. The NHS advises being positive about the visit and making the trip fun, so your child does not worry about future visits.
Just One Norfolk, an NHS service for families, also suggests:
- telling your child the dentist will ask to look in their mouth
- talking about the people, noises and smells at the dentist
- reading child-friendly books about visiting the dentist
- playing make-believe dentists, with you or a favourite toy as the patient
- planning a treat for after the appointment
Parental modelling matters too. The same service calls parents important role models, and a BDJ Team article on Dental Check by One notes that children can learn by modelling older brothers and sisters.
For children up to 3, the NHS advises brushing twice a day from the first milk tooth with a smear of fluoride toothpaste containing at least 1,000ppm fluoride, and our page on how much fluoride children need covers each age.
To ask about your child's first dental visit, book online or call 0114 288 2121.
Which words should you avoid before your child's dental visit?
An article for dental teams suggests avoiding emotive words such as 'hurt', 'needle', 'injection' and 'drill' when talking to a child about the dentist. The article appeared in BDJ Team, the British Dental Association's journal for the dental team. SDCEP's guidance for dental teams makes the same point: the 'tell' phase of tell-show-do should avoid technical and emotive terms.
| Avoid | Try instead |
|---|---|
| 'Hurt', 'needle', 'injection' and 'drill' | Talking about the visit in a positive way, in words your child can understand (BDJ Team) |
| Stories of your own bad dental visits, or showing your own dental worries | Talking about the visit positively, without your own dental worries (BDJ Team) |
| Making up what the dentist will do when you don't know | Sticking to what you know (BDJ Team) |
| Older brothers or sisters telling made-up scary stories | An older brother or sister who is a model patient encouraging the younger one (BDJ Team) |
Trust is the reason not to make things up. The same article notes that misleading a child will undermine their trust in you and in the dentist.
What do dental teams generally do at a young child's appointment?
In general guidance, a baby's or toddler's first dental appointment centres on getting familiar, a brief look in the mouth and advice for parents.
A BDJ Team article on Dental Check by One, written with input from the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry, says a content baby can be examined in a pushchair or car seat, in a parent's arms or on their lap, or knee-to-knee, facing the parent and then lowered back onto the dentist's lap so their familiar adult stays in view.
For children who can communicate, the Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP) describes tell-show-do: explain what will happen, show it, then do it, in age-appropriate language. SDCEP notes the evidence for techniques like this is limited, though they may help children adapt to a dental setting.
How can you build on your child's first dental visit?
Building on a first dental visit means praising the right things and keeping visits regular.
SDCEP guidance for dental teams reports that specific praise, such as praising a child for sitting still, has been shown to be more effective than a general comment such as 'good girl'. The NHS advises taking your child for regular check-ups as often as the dentist recommends, and our page on what a dental check-up includes explains a routine examination.
Frequently asked questions
Does a baby need teeth before their first dental visit?
No. An article for dental teams in BDJ Team explains that, even without teeth, a dentist can examine a baby's mouth and check it is developing normally. An NHS trust in Nottinghamshire describes A little trip to the dentist, a campaign encouraging visits before the first teeth come through, to get babies used to the sights, sounds and smells.
Is it normal for a baby to be unsettled at the dentist?
Yes, it is common for a baby to be unsettled in a new place such as a dental surgery. A BDJ Team article on Dental Check by One says regular visits help babies become more familiar and relaxed, and that babies may arrive awake, asleep, hungry or tired.
Is NHS dental treatment free for children?
NHS guidance is that in England, NHS dental appointments and treatment are free for children under 18, or under 19 and in full-time education. The NHS notes that free treatment covers NHS care only: private dental treatment has to be paid for. You may need to show proof of eligibility, such as a birth certificate.
How often should a child have a dental check-up?
NICE guidance is that under-18s should have an oral health review at least every 12 months. The dentist should set each child's interval at 3, 6, 9 or 12 months, based on their needs and risk. NICE notes that decay can progress faster in children and teenagers than in older people, and seems faster in milk than adult teeth.
What if you feel anxious about the dentist yourself?
Keep your own worries out of the visit, because young children pick up on the body language of the adults with them, SDCEP notes. For a very anxious parent who cannot mask their fears, it may help to discuss whether another familiar adult should attend. If you feel anxious about dental treatment yourself, read our page for nervous patients.
Book a consultation.
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You can contact Deepcar Dental Care through the online booking portal or on 0114 288 2121. The practice is open 8am to 8pm, Monday to Sunday.
Deepcar Dental Care, at 334 Manchester Road, Deepcar, Sheffield, S36 2RH, is on the ground floor and wheelchair accessible, with free parking directly outside. You can read reviews from patients of Deepcar Dental Care before you get in touch.
Children's dentistry is part of the routine care in our general dental services; our page on looking after your child's teeth covers care as your child grows.
334 Manchester Road
Deepcar, Sheffield S36 2RH
0114 288 2121
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Open 8am to 8pm, seven days
Free parking at the door