FIRST VISIT
Your child's first dental visit, minus the stress
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a first visit by age one — or within six months of the first tooth. Here's exactly what that visit looks like at Say Cheez.
Before you arrive
Fill out your forms at home so the visit starts on time, not in the waiting room. Our patient forms are online — a few minutes on your couch instead of a clipboard.
Bring your insurance card and a list of any questions, big or small. If your child has a favorite comfort toy or blanket, bring that too.
One tip from years of first visits: book around your child's good hours. Right after a nap and a snack beats the end of a long, hungry afternoon every time.
During the visit
First, your child meets the room — the ceiling TV, the themed walls, the chair that goes up and down. Curiosity does a lot of the work before we ever count a tooth.
For babies and the youngest patients, we do a knee-to-knee exam: your little one lies back from your lap into the dentist's, so they never leave your arms. Older kids climb into the chair on their own.
We clean and check as much as your child is ready for that day, and we narrate every step to you as we go. Nothing happens by surprise — no tool touches your child before they've seen it. No surprise procedures, ever.
After
Every visit ends at the prize wall — a small reward that turns "the dentist" into somewhere kids ask to come back. We'll set a plan for the next visit and answer every question honestly, including the ones parents feel silly asking.
That's the whole point of starting early: a first visit that's calm and quick is what makes the next twenty feel like no big deal.
Frequently asked questions
Will it hurt?
A first visit is a gentle look and, if your child is ready, a soft cleaning — no drilling, no surprises. For most kids it's more show-and-tell than treatment.
What if my child cries?
That's completely normal, and it doesn't rattle us. We're unbothered and unhurried — we slow down, let your child reset, and go at their pace. Tears at the first visit don't predict the next one.
How long does it take?
Usually 30 to 45 minutes, and often less for the littlest patients. We'd rather keep it short and positive than push a nervous child past their limit.
Do you see six-month-olds?
Yes — many of our patients start right at the first tooth or first birthday. Babies are some of our favorite visits: short, gentle, and the best possible foundation.