Lantern Lane
Home All Services
First Dental Visit Gentle Cleanings Fluoride Treatments Early Orthodontics Emergency Care Habit Counseling
About Us Our Doctors Reviews Blog Page Shop Cart Contacts Book a Visit

Home · Services · First Dental Visit

Early care

First Dental Visit

Short, playful, and tear-free by design. Your child's first appointment builds trust that lasts through every checkup after it.

A Hello, Not a Procedure

We recommend a first visit by age one or within six months of the first tooth. The appointment lasts about 30 minutes: a ride in the chair, a count of the teeth while your little one sits on your lap, and plenty of time for your questions about bottles, pacifiers, fluoride, and brushing a wiggly toddler.

Children who start early consistently show less anxiety at age five and beyond — because the dentist was always just a friendly place with stickers.

Female dentist examining a young girl
What's included

Everything in a First Visit

  • Knee-to-knee exam on a parent's lap
  • Gentle cleaning if your child is ready
  • Fluoride varnish for new enamel
  • Feeding, bottle, and pacifier guidance
  • Brushing demo sized for tiny mouths
  • Take-home smile kit and sticker
How it goes

Four Easy Steps

  1. Welcome & play

    Your child explores the room, picks a toy, and meets the team with zero pressure.

  2. Lap exam

    A quick, gentle look at teeth and gums while your little one stays snuggled with you.

  3. Parent coaching

    Plain-language answers on brushing, diet, and habits — tailored to your child's age.

  4. Smile kit

    A tiny toothbrush, tasty toothpaste, and a sticker. Next visit already booked.

Questions parents ask

First-Visit FAQs

What if my child cries? –

Completely normal — and completely fine. We never force, we pause, and most first visits end with smiles anyway. A short fussy visit still builds familiarity for next time.

Do babies really need X-rays? +

Rarely at the first visit. We only image when there's a specific reason, using low-dose digital sensors sized for small mouths.

How should we prepare? +

Keep it casual: read a tooth book, play dentist with a stuffed animal, and avoid words like “hurt” or “shot.” Morning appointments work best for toddlers.

How much does it cost? +

Our New Patient First Visit is a flat $89 and includes the exam, cleaning if ready, fluoride, and the smile kit. Most insurance plans cover it fully.

Ready for that first smile?

Book online in under a minute — mornings fill fast for little ones.

Book a Visit