The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a child’s first visit to the dentist should be by age one or within six months of the eruption of the first tooth, whichever comes first. A Child needs to develop a dental home as early as possible. There are many important reasons for the dental home concept:
Prior to your child’s appointment, we ask that you download and print the New Patient Packet to complete all required forms.
Tell your child that the dentist is a friendly doctor who will help your child stay healthy. Talk about the visit in a POSITIVE, matter-of-fact way, as you would about any important new experience. The less said concerning the visit, the better. A visit to the office can be a very pleasant adventure for both you and your child.
On the first visit, your child will be introduced to our dental team. Your child will be shown all the instruments the Doctor will use on the first visit, i.e., the tooth counter, the tooth mirror, etc. You and your child will also learn the importance of preventive home care skills to help your child’s teeth stay healthy and strong.
For children ages 3+, radiographs may be taken on an individual basis, and a comprehensive exam and cleaning will be completed at the child’s pace. Orthodontic evaluations are also completed at every visit.
For children less than 3 years old, radiographs are not usually taken. These visits consist primarily of parental interview, dietary counseling, oral hygiene instruction, and habit cessation. The cleaning and exam usually are completed by a “lap exam,” whereby the child is laid down on the lap of the parent, with the child’s legs around the parents waist and the child’s head is placed on the dentist’s lap. In this positioning, the dentist will be able to complete a cleaning and thorough examination. Many young children fuss during this part, even though nothing is being done to hurt them. Dr. Dave will continually reassure the child, and sometimes sing to try to put them at ease.
We want our patients to leave our office with a smile on their face. Pleasant visits help a child establish trust and confidence that will last a lifetime. Additional treatment, if required, will be discussed and scheduled for a future date.
It is our goal to develop a close and direct rapport with your child in order to gain his or her trust quickly. We have found that children respond more positively when they are allowed to be independent.
Please do not be upset if your child cries. Children are often afraid of anything new and strange, and crying is the normal reaction to fear. A parent’s positive and encouraging words following the visit, such as “You were very brave today’, “Isn’t it easy to have your teeth counted”, etc., will help your child for their following visits.
We strive to make each and every visit to our office a fun one!
We are committed to treating you as a complete individual, working with you to develop a plan that includes your total health. We are committed to our friends and family in Creekside, Tomball, Spring, and The Woodlands and believe our practice shares an integral role in building our community.
It’s important for you, the patient, to understand how your dental insurance works, what it covers and what it does not.
We file insurance as a courtesy to our patients. All insurance plans that allow a choice of dental provider are accepted. We provide an estimate, based upon the insurance company’s information.
We accept all major credit cards, checks, and cash. Payment arrangements are discussed on a case-by-case basis.
At Creekside Pediatric Dentistry we understand the importance of access to quality and affordable dental care. Our in-house membership plan can help make your dental visits more affordable so that your family has access to the quality dental care you want and need. The Creekside Pediatric Dentistry Membership is not dental insurance, though it does provide you and your family with significant savings each time you visit our practice.
$300 per child
✔ Routine cleanings (2 per year)
✔ Routine oral exams (2 per year)
✔ Bitewing x-rays (2 per year)
✔ Fluoride Treatment (2 per year)
✔ 1 emergency exam (if needed)
✔ 10% off all other services as needed
✔ No deductibles
✔ No annual maximums
✔ No waiting period
Call us (713) 944-4199 or send us a message today for more information.
❌Do not let the child know that you have any anxiety about going to the dentist.
❌Do not threaten a dental visit as a means of punishment. Do not let anyone tell your child scary stories about a dental visit.
❌Do not bribe your child into going to the dentist. Promising a special gift tends to make children suspicious. Offering a reward indicates that there is something to fear.
❌Do not come for a visit when your child is not feeling well. They will be miserable and not have a very good experience and they will infect other children in the practice.
❌A parent or legal guardian is required to be present on the day of your child’s first dental visit. We cannot begin your child’s visit without accompaniment by either a parent or legal guardian