Your Child’s First Visit
At Grow Pediatric Dentistry, we believe that a child’s first dental visit is more than just an appointment—it’s the beginning of a lifelong relationship with oral health. Our goal is to make this first experience positive, comfortable, and even fun, so your child feels confident about visiting the dentist in the future.
Whether it’s your child’s first time ever or their first visit to our office, we take extra care to ensure the experience is relaxed and stress-free for both kids and parents.
When to Schedule the First Visit
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children have their first dental appointment by their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth coming in—whichever comes first. Early visits allow us to:
- Check that teeth and jaws are developing normally
- Spot early signs of cavities or gum issues
- Give parents guidance on brushing, flossing, and nutrition
- Help children get comfortable in the dental environment
What to Expect
From the moment you arrive, you’ll notice our spa-like, kid-friendly atmosphere designed to help your child feel at ease. We’ll greet your family warmly, give your child a chance to explore the space, and explain what will happen during the visit in age-appropriate terms.
The first visit may include:
- A gentle examination of teeth, gums, and jaw growth
- A light cleaning to remove plaque buildup
- Fluoride treatment for cavity prevention (if appropriate)
- Tips and demonstrations for home care
We go at your child’s pace—sometimes that means a complete checkup, and sometimes it means simply sitting in the chair and getting to know us. The goal is to create trust and make future visits easier.
Our Gentle Approach
Dr. A.J. and our team use a “tell-show-do” method so your child understands what’s happening in a friendly, non-scary way. We encourage questions, celebrate cooperation, and praise bravery. If your child is shy or nervous, we allow extra time and offer comfort items like blankets or toys to help them relax.
By starting dental visits early and keeping them positive, we set the stage for a lifetime of healthy smiles. At Grow Pediatric Dentistry, we look forward to making your child’s first visit the start of something wonderful.
Financial Info
At Grow Pediatric Dentistry, we believe every child deserves access to high-quality dental care in a welcoming, comfortable environment. We’re committed to making the financial side of treatment as simple and transparent as possible, so you can focus on your child’s health—not paperwork.
Insurance Info
At Grow Pediatric Dentistry, our goal is to provide high-quality, personalized dental care for every child we see. To do that, we remain out-of-network with all dental insurance plans.
What Does “Out of Network” Mean?
Being out of network means we do not have contracts with insurance companies that limit how care is provided or how treatment decisions are made. This allows us to focus fully on your child’s needs—not insurance restrictions.
However, being out of network does not mean you can’t use your insurance.
Will You Still Accept My Insurance?
Yes. If you have dental insurance, we are happy to help you use your benefits.
As a courtesy to our families:
- We will file claims with your insurance company on your behalf.
- Your insurance provider will send reimbursement directly to you (in most cases).
- We can provide an estimate of your benefits before treatment whenever possible.
Because every plan is different, we encourage families to contact their insurance provider directly for specific coverage details. Our team is always available to help you understand your benefits and answer questions along the way.
Payment Options
Payment is due at the time of service unless other arrangements have been made in advance.
We accept:
- Cash
- Major credit cards
- HSA/FSA cards
We also offer flexible financing through CareCredit. CareCredit allows families to break treatment costs into convenient monthly payments, often with promotional financing options.
If you have questions about applying for CareCredit, our team is happy to help guide you through the process.
Our Commitment to You
We believe decisions about your child’s dental health should be based on what is best for them—not what an insurance company dictates.
Our team is here to make the financial process simple, transparent, and stress-free. If you ever have questions about insurance, payment options, or financing, please don’t hesitate to reach out.