Growing Smiles Pediatric Dentistry
Please only complete these forms if you have already been given an appointment date.
At your first visit with our team, we will spend time getting to know you and your child. During the appointment, we will review your child’s medical and dental history. We will gently but thoroughly examine your child’s teeth, gum tissue, airway and dental development. Our doctors and team will determine the extent of treatment that will be rendered at the first visit.
We will examine your child’s teeth, check for decay, make sure that teeth are coming in the right order, check for proper jaw development. We will invite one parent to stay during your child’s first examination.
Please do not be worried or surprised if your young child cries. Children are often afraid of new experiences and crying is a very normal reaction to that fear. Our goal over time is to help them become familiar with it all and be excited to come back. We will talk about home care and offer recommendations for maintaining excellent oral health. We will also discuss nutrition information as well as thumb and pacifier habits and other age-appropriate information for optimal wellness.
Check out our awesome toothbrushing tracker! It’ll help you keep track of your brushing routine and make it feel like a fun game.
To help your child prepare for their upcoming visit, read this social story with them! A social story is a tool that provides pictures and descriptions of a situation in order to help the child understand what will happen. This can give them a chance to build coping skills and prepare themselves for the sensations they might experience prior to coming. It may be helpful to read this story multiple times leading up to your child’s appointment to best prepare them for a successful visit!
We pride ourselves on a very friendly, inviting environment and we do all we can to help put you and your baby at ease. In keeping with that effort, we encourage you to accompany your infant in the exam room and we will recommend a knee to knee exam. For older children, by using phrases such as “careful and gentle” rather than “won’t hurt you” when describing their exam, your child will feel more relaxed and comfortable during their visit in the office. It is best if you refrain from using words around your child that might cause unnecessary fear, such as “needle”, “shot”, “pull”, “pain”, “drill” or “hurt”.
The team carefully uses words that convey the same message, but are pleasant and non-frightening to the child and our doctors and team can coach you on the best words to use. Pleasant visits to the dental office promote trust and confidence within your child that will last a lifetime. Our special office designs and our communication skills reinforce our main concern – your child’s oral health, and the development of a lifetime of healthy habits.
Parents should try to casually introduce the visit as a new experience and focus on positive encouragement. It is best to keep away from using any words that could cause unnecessary fear, such as “needle” or “drill” or any of the four letter words “pain, hurt, shot, pull.” Please don’t talk with your child about any past dental experiences that cause your child anxiety and a negative anticipation of what to expect.
We are experienced in working with children with anxiety and can explain treatment procedures in a positive and pleasant manner to avoid any anxious or negative feelings toward dentistry.
We really like these books about going to the dentist:
The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist by Stan and Jan Berenstain
Throw Your Tooth on the Roof (Tooth Traditions from Around the World) by Selby Beeler
Max Goes to the Dentist by Adria F. Klein
Dora the Explorer-Show me Your Smile! by Christine Ricci
David Decides About Thumbsucking
Our office currently accepts all insurances and will help you submit your dental insurance claims however, we are currently an in-network participating provider with Delta Dental of Michigan.
Due to recent changes in health care laws and various insurance plans, we are working to upgrade our insurance policies to help our patients understand and maximize their insurance benefits when visiting our office.
For your convenience, we are happy to consult with you individually to assess your specific needs and review your new insurance information — to ensure that you are headed in the right direction with your dental insurance.
Please do not hesitate to contact us or simply call our office directly at 616.988.9485 if you have any questions regarding your dental insurance.
Our office currently accepts all insurances and will help you submit your dental insurance claims however, we are currently an in-network participating provider with Delta Dental of Michigan.
Due to recent changes in health care laws and various insurance plans, we are working to upgrade our insurance policies to help our patients understand and maximize their insurance benefits when visiting our office.
For your convenience, we are happy to consult with you individually to assess your specific needs and review your new insurance information — to ensure that you are headed in the right direction with your dental insurance.
Please do not hesitate to contact us or simply call our office directly at 616.988.9485 if you have any questions regarding your dental insurance.
