Before arriving to Laxer, Long and Savage for your child’s first visit, please assist us in making your child’s visit a pleasant experience by discussing the positive aspects of dentistry with your child. Convey good feelings about dental visits as being a part of growing up. Rather than “The dentist will not hurt you”, say “The dentist will be very gentle”. When you are describing treatment, please avoid using the words needle, drill, grind, shot, pull, pain or any other words suggesting unpleasantness. If you should need help prior to your first appointment, please do not hesitate to call our office. When you arrive for your first visit, please be prepared to complete all insurance and health information forms that will allow us to begin your dental treatment. The initial exam will last approximately one hour. At the beginning of the visit, the staff will review the health history form with you. Your child will be introduced to our pediatric dental team, allowed time to see the office, and become comfortable before the examination. Depending on need, diagnostic radiographs may be taken to determine your child’s present dental condition. If no treatment is needed and your child is of the appropriate age, the teeth will be cleaned and a professional fluoride solution will be applied. The doctor will complete the examination by examining the hard and soft tissues of the mouth and perform a head and neck examination. If needed, additional services will be scheduled for a later visit. For infants we will often have the parent present throughout the screening. For older children, you will be invited to join your child in the clinical area after the initial examination. At that time, any existing dental problems and proposed treatment will be discussed and oral hygiene instructions will be provided along with suggestions to help care for your child’s teeth.