What to Expect When Visiting Us
At Kalaskey Pediatric Dentistry, our mission is to provide efficient, high-quality care in a warm, child-centered environment. To help us give your child the best possible experience, we’ve designed our office and systems with comfort and flow in mind.
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For your first visit, one parent or guardian is welcome to accompany your child into the clinical area. This helps your child feel secure in a new space and gives us a chance to walk through important information together. After this initial visit, we kindly ask that parents remain in the lobby during treatment appointments. Why? Because children build confidence when they have space to form trust directly with our team— and when they don’t absorb anxious energy from well-meaning but nervous adults. In fact, many children who cry on their first visit are simply unsure about what’s happening, not actually fearful. Over time, they adapt beautifully with consistency, encouragement, and a calm environment.
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Please note: Our office is an open space, so to help us stay efficient and on time for all families, we kindly ask that only one parent or guardian attend each appointment. We appreciate your understanding and partnership as we work together to create a smooth and positive dental experience for every child!
How to Prepare for Your
Child’s Dental Visit
There’s so much you can do at home to help your child have a successful, stress-free experience at the dentist — and it all starts with your energy and approach! Here are some helpful tips to get your child ready for their visit
Start Early
The earlier you begin, the better! We recommend bringing your child in by their first birthday — or when the first tooth appears. Early visits help children become familiar with the dental setting and allow us to guide you through the best ways to care for your child’s oral health.
Begin Brushing Right Away
As soon as the first tooth appears, it’s time to start brushing with a small smear of fluoride toothpaste. Even before teeth come in, you can clean your baby’s gums with a soft cloth or silicone finger brush.
Create a Positive Aura Around the Dentist
Children are incredibly perceptive. Avoid using words like “hurt,” “pain,” “shot,” “injection,” or phrases like “pull your tooth out.” These words, even when well-intended, can build anxiety or fear before the appointment even begins. Likewise, avoid saying things like, “That might taste bad,” or “Don’t be scared” — doing so may introduce fears your child didn’t previously have. Instead, keep your tone upbeat and neutral, and let our trained team take the lead in explaining procedures with fun, child-friendly terms!
Be the Cheerleader
After the visit, you play a powerful role in shaping how your child views the experience. Offer lots of praise — whether they got their teeth counted, cleaned, or even just sat in the chair. Tell them how proud you are of their bravery and cooperation. Positive reinforcement from you, the most important person in their world, goes a long way in building lifelong confidence at the dentist.
Support Healthy Habits Through Nutrition
What your child eats plays a major role in their dental health. Limit sugary snacks, sticky candies, and processed starchy foods like crackers and goldfish, which cling to teeth and fuel cavity-causing bacteria. Instead, encourage whole fruits, vegetables, and plenty of water. If your child eats fresh fruit, there’s no need to give them fruit juice — it's often just sugar in disguise! A well-balanced diet is one of the best ways to prevent cavities naturally
Our team is trained in using kid-friendly language to help explain everything in an age-appropriate, fun way. Please trust us to guide the conversation. If your child has questions, let them know they can ask the dentist directly — and we’ll take it from there!
We’re so excited to welcome your family into our dental “pouch” and give your child the tools to grow up with a happy, healthy smile!