New Patients

What to Expect for Your First Visit to My Kids’ Dentists

Dr. Morceau is committed to making your child’s dental visit a pleasant and comfortable one. She understands the importance of establishing a good oral hygiene regimen early in a child’s life, and strives to provide your family with the necessary knowledge and treatment to maintain a healthy smile. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that children visit the dentist by their first birthday. As a pediatric specialist (and an experienced mom) Dr. Morceau is well-acquainted with the limited attention spans of little ones. This first examination allows for early detection and prevention of dental problems and provides valuable information to support good oral care habits at home. If your child requires any dental procedures, the treatment options will be discussed directly with Dr. Morceau at the time of the dental examination.

Many new experiences are challenging for a young child. Fear of the unknown is often expressed by children as crying or physical resistance. Parents should not be embarrassed if their child does not cooperate at their first dental visit. Given the opportunity, children take great pride in overcoming their fears. Most of our patients see their dental visits as a pleasant time. Because each child’s perception of the world around them is unique, an individualized and personalized approach is utilized with each treatment visit.  Dr. Morceau offers the latest techniques and dental materials, and is skilled in treating children of all ages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most common questions we hear from new patients and families.

Are you accepting new patients?

YES! My Kids’ Dentists is accepting new patients!!! Our Goal is to keep services at an exceptionally high personal level . The appointment time is reserved specifically for your child and their individual need. If you are unable to keep a scheduled appointment, please call at least 24 hours in advance so that we may reschedule your child’s reserved time. This courtesy enables us to give your child’s appointment to another child awaiting treatment. A broken appointment fee WILL be charged if advance notice of cancellation is not given 24 hours before the appointment.

How are appointments scheduled?

Our office attempts to schedule appointments at your convenience and when time is available. Preschool and young children should be seen in the morning because they are fresher, have more energy, and are more attentive. Children in school that require extensive dental treatment should also be seen in the morning for the same reasons.

We know that all children are not alike; therefore we tailor our services to your child as an individual. Because of this, appointments may vary in frequency, length of time, and time of day. At your new patient visit we will discuss a treatment plan created specifically for your child and schedule appointments as needed for treatment. Each appointment scheduled is time reserved specially for your child. If you are unable to keep an appointment, kindly provide us with at least 24 hours notice so that this time may be offered to another patient who needs our care.

What is your financial policy?

We believe that our fees are just, equitable, and comparable to the fees charged by most pediatric dentists. In order to hold down our costs and keep fees affordable, we do request payment at the time services are rendered. Our office accepts a variety of payments: cash, personal check, Visa, MasterCard, AmericanExpress, Discover and CareCredit. Please be aware that the parent bringing the child to our office is responsible for payment of all charges. We cannot send statements to other persons.

We also accept most dental insurance. Our office keeps abreast of the latest insurance trends to help you maximize your insurance benefits. We will accept assignment of benefits on most major insurance policies and will also prepare and file your claim (Standard service: Typically done out of courtesy by practices). However, our office has no direct contract with your insurance carrier. Therefore, we ask that you pay your deductible, co-payment, and non-covered portions at the time of your visit. If your insurance company fails to pay our office, then you are responsible for the balance. Interest will be charged on balances greater than 30 days.

What if I do not have dental insurance?

Please be aware that the parent bringing the child to My Kids’ Dentists is legally responsible for payment of charges. We cannot send statements to other persons. Payment is expected in full for each appointment as services are rendered. For your convenience, we accept cash, personal checks, debit cards, VISA, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. We also offer 6 months no interest financing plans with CareCredit for services $200 and greater.

What is the difference between a pediatric dentist and a family dentist?

Pediatric dentists are the pediatricians of dentistry. A pediatric dentist has two to three years specialty training following dental school and limits his/her practice to treating children only. Pediatric dentists are primary and specialty oral care providers for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health needs.

What age should I start taking my child to the dentist?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that an initial oral evaluation visit should occur within six months of the eruption of the first primary tooth and no later than twelve months of age. During this important visit we will complete a thorough medical and dental history, complete a thorough oral examination, assess your child’s risk of developing oral and dental disease, and determine an appropriate interval for periodic reevaluation.

Are baby teeth really that important to my child? 

Primary, or “baby,” teeth are important for many reasons. Not only do they help children speak clearly and chew naturally, they also aid in forming a path that permanent teeth can follow when they are ready to erupt.

How often should my child visit the pediatric dentist?

To maintain optimum oral health, we recommend that your child be seen every 6 months for a continuing care appointment that includes an oral examination, a cleaning, the application of a fluoride varnish, and any necessary X-rays. Preventive care will help prevent tooth decay and periodontal disease. However, your pediatric dentist can tell you when and how often your child should visit based on their personal oral health.

Does my child really need X-rays? Are they safe and how often?

Dental X-rays are done to find problems in the mouth such as tooth decay (especially early stage decay between the teeth), damage to the boney structure of the mouth and dental injuries. The earlier a dental problem is found and treated, the better it is for your child. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends X-rays every 6 to 12 months from the age of two. Each child is unique and so the number of X-rays will vary based on age, medical/dental history, and the results of the dental exam.

May I accompany my child in the hygiene area/treatment area?  

We ask that you allow our staff to accompany your child through the dental experience.  Please permit us the time to develop a rapport with your child. This is accomplished by your child seeing the same pediatric dental specialist and her staff during each visit.

At My Kids’ Dentists we are all highly experienced in helping children overcome anxiety. Separation anxiety is not uncommon in children, so please try not to be concerned if your child exhibits some negative behavior. This is normal and will soon diminish. Studies and experience have shown that most children react more positively when permitted to experience the dental visit on their own and in an environment designed for children.

After the first visit, we ask that you encourage your child’s independence and allow us the privilege of bringing your child from the reception room to the dental chair alone. This allows our team at My Kids’ Dentists to focus primarily on the child as a whole, which enables us to gain the child’s trust and provide the best treatment in “kids-time” (quickest time: since kids prefer to be in and out of the dental chair) without any distractions.

How do I prepare my child for their first dental visit?

We encourage you to prepare your child for a visit to the pediatric dentist before the first appointment. For young children, excellent books that describe a visit to the dentist can be found at the library and in bookstores. Discuss the positive aspects of dentistry with your child. Convey good feelings about the dental visit as being a part of growing up. Let your child know they are going to learn lots of new ways to make their teeth sparkle and enjoy a healthy smile. Do not build too much anticipation by over preparing, always make the appointment very casual. Morning appointments are recommended for little ones when they are refreshed and more accepting of new experiences. If you expect your child to react well, chances are very good your child will enjoy the first visit to our office.

In addition to preparing your child for the important first visit, please provide all information pertinent to your child’s dental, medical, and social situation on the health forms you will be given by our office. This will enable us to provide the best possible care for your child.

Why does the Orthodontist want to see my child as early as age seven?

Occasionally, a child’s facial and dental growth becomes disrupted as a result of genetics or early dental habits such as thumbsucking or mouthbreathing. Pediatric dentists are specialists in the area of growth and development of the face and teeth, and are ideally suited to intervene in these situations. Many times extensive orthodontic treatment may be averted through timely pediatric orthodontic care as the face, jaws, and teeth are developing.