FIRST VISITS, EXPLAINED
What to expect the first time you come in.
Most of what makes a first dental visit hard is not knowing what’s about to happen — for your child, or for you. Here’s the whole thing, start to finish.
What to bring, what to expect at the door.
- Insurance card and a photo ID, if this is your first visit with us.
- Plan for 45 minutes, though most first visits for very young children run shorter.
- Siblings are welcome to sit in — a lot of nervous kids do better watching a brother or sister go first.
Here’s exactly what happens.
01
Say hello
We meet your child at their level, show them the room, and let them hold the mirror before anything else.
02
Tell, show, do
Every instrument gets named and demonstrated on a finger or a puppet first. No surprises.
03
Gentle cleaning
A polish, a fluoride rinse if genuinely needed, and an x-ray only if we need one. Parents stay in the room.
04
Plain answers
Dr. Gomez walks you through what she saw, what to watch, and what it costs — before you leave.
What a first visit looks like at each stage.
Under 1
A knee-to-knee exam. Your baby lies back into Dr. Gomez’s lap while you hold their hands. Mostly about teething, bottles, and starting a brushing routine.
Toddlers & preschool
Short and mostly conversation. We may do no more than count teeth and let your child hold the mirror.
School age & teens
A full exam and cleaning, with your child getting the explanation directly, at their level, before anything happens.
Anxious child? We have options.
Some kids need more than a slow pace. We offer desensitization visits — a no-treatment appointment just to meet the team and the room — and, through Chappaqua Smiles, nitrous oxide and sedation dentistry for children who need it. Tell us when you book, and we’ll plan the visit around it.
Questions we hear every week.
When should my child first see a dentist?
By the first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth coming in. Early visits are short, mostly conversation, and they set the tone for every visit after.
Can I stay in the room with my child?
Yes, always, for any appointment, any age.
Do you take my insurance?
We're in-network with most major plans and verify your benefits before your visit, so there are no surprise bills.
What if my child is scared of the dentist?
That's most of our patients. We slow down, narrate everything, and can split a visit into two if that's what it takes.
Can my kids and I be seen the same day?
Yes — book siblings back to back, or a parent at Chappaqua Smiles next door, in one call.
What if my child cries or won't open their mouth?
It happens, often. We stop, regroup, and either try a different approach or end the visit and pick up next time. Nothing is forced.
How long until we're seen again?
Most kids come back every six months. Dr. Gomez will tell you before you leave if yours needs a shorter interval.