First Dental Visit

Our office, as well as the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, recommends that your child visit the dentist by his/her 1st birthday. You can make the first visit to the dentist enjoyable and positive. Your child should be informed of the visit and told that the dentist and their staff will explain all procedures and answer any questions. The less to-do concerning the visit, the better.

Parents and siblings are always welcome to accompany their child on the first visit as well as all subsequent visits. We are all highly experienced in helping children overcome anxiety.

We strive to make each and every visit to our office a fun one!

On the first visit, you and your child will have an opportunity to meet the doctor and staff, and be acclimated to the office atmosphere. Following a thorough review of your child’s medical and dental history Dr. Glen will perform a full oral exam of your child. Depending on the circumstances Dr. Glen will decide if x-ray is needed to be taken. Afterward, an evaluation of your child will be explained in full that will outline any existing dental problems, proposed treatment, and an estimate of all costs. Oral hygiene instructions will also be given with suggestions to help you care for your child's teeth.

We strive to make your child's first visit a comfortable, pleasant, and fun experience. To make your child’s visit to the dentist a pleasant one, there are some things you, as parents, can do.

• In discussing dentistry with your child, it would be helpful if you do not use the terms such as “drill”, “shot”, “pull”, “hurt”, “needles”, or any other words which might have an unpleasant meaning and might cause unnecessary fear. Our office strives to make a practice of using words that convey the same message, but are pleasant and non-frightening to the child, words such as “bumpy toothbrush” instead of “drill”, “sleepy juice” instead of “shot”, etc.
• Please do not be upset if your child cries. Crying is a normal reaction to fear. Children may be afraid of anything new and strange to them. Kindness is the greatest contribution for overcoming fear and it must be our united objective to eliminate dental fears.

We are always excited about meeting new patients during their first visit to our office. Your initial appointment will consist of a thorough examination and a discussion of potential treatment options. This important 30-minute visit will give us insights into your orthodontic needs. We know your time is valuable, so to expedite treatment, we may also reserve time following the exam for diagnostic records. The records include x-rays, photos, and impressions for study models, and are necessary for developing the appropriate treatment plan.

During the initial examination for each patient, we will address the following questions that cover the basics of orthodontic treatment. We encourage you to ask questions as well.

• Is there a condition that orthodontics can address?
• Is treatment needed now, or should treatment be delayed until appropriate growth, tooth eruption, or other factors have occurred?
• What treatment procedures will be used to correct the problem?
• Do any permanent teeth need to be removed?
• How long will treatment take?
• How much will it cost?
• What are my payment options?

While we can often answer these general questions about treatment during the initial examination, we will address specific areas after careful analysis of the diagnostic records. We feel it is important to analyze each patient's specific needs, because in-depth planning leads to superior results and higher patient satisfaction.

We will then schedule a consultation visit to discuss treatment options, time frames, and financial arrangements. We insist that our patients leave the office with a clear understanding of their specific needs, what the treatment will consist of, and how long it will take. Also, we will answer any additional questions.

Please assist us by providing the following information at the time of your first visit:

• Any panoramic x-ray taken within the past 6 months.
• If you have orthodontic insurance, bring your insurance card. By providing this information at the first visit we will be able to give you an estimate of your costs.

The initial exam is free. However, if the exam indicates that the patient is ready for treatment, the cost for the records is $425 dollars. This fee also includes diagnostic work-up and follow-up consultation/Treatment plan presentation.

In cases where the patient is not ready for treatment, the full records will not be necessary. However, we may still suggest taking a 3-Dimensional panoramic x-ray to check for early warning signs of developing problems inside the jaw bones. We are the only orthodontic practice in Long Island that has this type of x-ray in the office. The fee for this x-ray will be $195. These records/x-rays will be duplicated for your use at no additional charge should you desire a second opinion or persue treatment elsewhere.