STEP 1
Walk in
The front office spots Pearly right away. While the grown-ups handle paperwork, the reception area is fair game, TVs, books, toys, a train table, and a movie room to keep things fun before the visit even starts.
before you come in
The short version
We keep first visits short and sweet, especially for toddlers and first-time patients. Expect about 30-60 minutes total, with plenty of time to meet the team, take a tour, and get a gentle check-up.
For tiny ones, a parent is welcome to come back to the chair and stay close the whole time. Older kids are welcome to bring themselves back on their own, or bring a parent for moral support. No judgment either way.
scroll to follow along ↓
Pearly's First Visit
Meet Pearly, a brand-new first-timer. Walk through their whole visit, step by step.
STEP 2
Meet the hygienist
"Hi, I'm Courtney, and this is Mr. Thirsty (the suction)." Pearly gets a kid-sized demo of every tool before anything goes in their mouth. If your child's ready, the hygienist might take a few "cool pictures" of their teeth (a.k.a. X-rays) so the doctor can peek between teeth.
STEP 3
The chair
Pearly climbs into the big green chair. Sunglasses go on (the light is bright!). The hygienist gently cleans and shines up every tooth, grown-up close by the whole time.
STEP 4
Meet the doctor
The doctor swings by to peek at the cool pictures Pearly took, count each tooth one by one, and check that the gums and the rest of the mouth are happy and healthy too. If anything needs a closer look, you'll hear about it right then, no surprises.
STEP 5
Prize time!
Pearly heads to the prize area for the grand finale: stickers, bouncy balls, rubber ducks, and, of course, a balloon at the end of every single visit.
STEP 6
See you in 6 months!
Reminders go on the calendar so you don't have to remember a thing. Done, painless, actually fun.
what parents ask us
First-visit FAQ
When should I bring my baby in for their first visit? +
The AAP and AAPD recommend a first dental visit by age 1, or within 6 months of the first tooth coming in. Whichever is first.
Can I stay with my child during the appointment? +
Yes! For first visits especially, we encourage a parent to be in the room. Older kids sometimes want to go solo, that's also fine.
What if my kid cries or melts down? +
That is genuinely fine. We see it all day. We go slow, take breaks, and sometimes reschedule, no pressure, no shame.
Will you take X-rays at the first visit? +
Only if necessary. For most toddlers, we skip X-rays at the first visit. For older kids or if we see something concerning, we may take them with the lowest-dose digital settings.
Do you accept my insurance? +
We're in-network with most major plans and file for every insurance. If you don't have insurance, our Smile Club is a great alternative, see the Smile Club page.
ready when you are
Let's get your kid in the chair.
New patients welcome. Most insurances accepted. First visits are short, fun, and low-pressure.