When should my child first come to the dentist?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children visit the dentist by the age of one, or within six months of their first tooth coming (whichever comes first). Infant checkups can help prevent many potential problems.
What should I expect at this first visit?
For the first visit, your child can sit on your lap and we will do a "knee-to-knee” exam. For the knee-to-knee exam, your child will sit on your lap facing you with their legs around your waist and you can gently lay your child back into the dentist’s lap for the check-up. This way you can comfort your child and help them feel more at ease.
The pediatric dentist will then examine your child’s teeth, check for decay and make sure the teeth are coming in in the correct order. The dentist will also brush your child’s teeth with a soft toothbrush.
We will talk about how to best care for your child’s teeth at home including tips and tricks for successful brushing, nutrition information, and thumb/pacifier habits.
Book Recommendations for Going to the Dentist
- Peppa Pig: Dentist Trip
- Elmo Visits the Dentist
- Show Me Your Smile!: A Visit to the Dentist (Dora the Explorer)
- Just Going to the Dentist (Little Critter)
- The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist
Scheduling Appointments
If you would like to schedule an appointment at either location please call Ann Arbor (734) 663-2490 or Chelsea (734) 562-2430. We will do our best to find an appointment that works for you!
If you need to cancel an appointment, please call and give us at least one business day’s notice. Frequent cancelations with less than one business day’s notice will result in a fee.
Insurance Information
Ann Arbor Pediatric Dentistry is in-network with Delta Dental. We offer both Premier and PPO providers at both of our locations. We also accept the state-funded program Healthy Kids (Delta Dental).
Our dentists recommend preventative and restorative services based on what we believe is best for your child. We do NOT and CANNOT recommend treatment based on your insurance coverage. If you have questions regarding the proposed treatment or cost, please ask and we will provide a complete explanation.
As a service to our patients, we will submit insurance claims on your behalf. Copayments and estimated out-of-pocket costs are to be paid at the time of service. Please understand that we can only estimate your insurance coverage and there may be a remaining balance after we receive the final payment from insurance.
Please contact your dental insurance company if you have questions about your specific policy and which providers are covered under your plan. It is your responsibility to determine which provider will allow you to maximize your benefits in our office. If there is a specific dentist that works best with your plan, please express this to the front desk team when scheduling appointments.
