Our First Dentist Visit
Ok, call me a bad parent. Our kids just got their first visit to the dentist the other day, Yep, first ever.
The Ladybug has been bugging me about making an appointment ever since she learned about Mr. McCavity in school. Darn those schools for teaching all that personal health and wellness stuff! {grin}
Honestly, Mr. Fix-It and I are way overdo for cleanings, etc. too. But who has time to take off work for if you’re not actually in pain over a cavity or something? I already have to take off for doctor appointments and well-checks for 3 kids…plus vet vet appointments for the dog, the cat, and the horse. And once in awhile I’d like to take off to chaperone a field trip, see a Christmas program, or pop into a school party. Appointments for myself are waaaay down the list…but I digress.
The Ladybug was watching Kung Fu Panda. They did her and the Cowboy at the same time, so I was pacing back and forth between their rooms. Thankfully, they were close together.
Wow, what a blessing insurance is too! I found out that our dental insurance covers exams and cleanings every 6 months. {sigh} We didn’t have dental insurance growing up, so we didn’t go to the dentist regularly. Mr. Fix-It did. We’re blessed to have insurance, no questions about it. But between doctor, dentist, and eye appointments with 3 kiddos, that’s 12 appointments a year–just for perfectly healthy kids.
What a blessing to have a flexible work situation too.
But their teeth are fine. No Mr. McCavity here.
And man, was I proud of how good they all were. Completely fearless and not a single fuss to be heard! Speedracer was last and he was even lounging back with his little feet crossed.
Speedracer couldn’t wait to get his chance in the chair. He was tired of craning his neck to see the TV around his siblings while he was waiting. He made himself right at home.
And our dentist’s office was…AWESOME. They were so good with the kids!
And it didn’t take me 4 months to get an appointment. They fit them all in one appointment block with only a week’s notice.
They had TVs with kid shows over every chair (I guess if they have adults there, you could watch the news or something.) They let the kids hold “Mr. Thirsty” (that spit-sucker thing) for them while they were cleaning. And they talked about “open wide like an alligator” and just generally related to them in a wonderful, kid-friendly way.
They’re like my new favorite people, they were just so great.
There’s the Cowboy holding Mr. Thirsty during his cleaning. They didn’t even ask or look for me, once they were in the chair. {smile} They’re growing up!
We didn’t even have to go across the bridge to the “city” to find a fancy pediatric dentist just for kids. We’re blessed to have all this in our dentist right down the road in our own town. Look, we’re calling them “ours” even though this is only our first visit!
When did you take your kiddos to the dentist for the first time?
Our oldest was about 4. I drover her 85 miles every 6 months to a pediatric dentist because we didn’t have a good one (in my opinion) in our area. I am deathly afraid of dentist because of experiences that I had a child. So I wanted to make sure that our little one didn’t have those issues. our adopted children, i’m not sure, but as soon as they came to live with us we set up appointments and they go every 6 months. Oldest had braces, and middle daughter is almost done with her braces. Not so sure our son will need them but we will see.
We went ahead and made their 6 month appts for this Aug. They said that they generally recommend starting regular 6 month checks in Kindergarten, so the boys are right on time (Speedracer’s even a little early, but since it’s covered, why not.)
The Ladybug has to go back in Aug to check an adult tooth that doesn’t seem to have room to come in. They said that they might have to send her to have some baby teeth pulled to make room. Not very serious, since they’re all baby teeth, but there’s another handful of appt.
We’re very blessed to find someone so good close by. Really, that makes it all SO much easier.
You are not alone……we went for the first time last week, and our oldest is 9!
Sophie has yet to go to the dentist. Sigh.
Bella is a pro, since she has been a few times after she fell last fall. Because of her injury we had to find a dentist that was also a pediatric orthodontist, so we drive about 30 minutes. However – Bella loves the office and doesn’t fuss, so we keep going back.
We do not have dental insurance, which makes it a bit tight – but you have to do it 🙂