When should a child first see a dentist?

A child should see a dentist for the first time when their first tooth appears, and by their first birthday at the latest. This first visit is mainly about checking how the teeth and jaw are developing and helping the child feel comfortable with the dentist, rather than about treatment.

In short

• The NHS, the American Dental Association and the South African Dental Association all point to the same general timing: soon after the first tooth appears, and no later than the child’s first birthday.
• The first visit is usually short and focused on checking development and helping the child feel at ease, rather than treatment.
• A parent is closely involved, and it is common to hold a young child during the examination.
• Starting early helps a child become familiar with the dentist before there is ever a problem to deal with.
• If a first visit has not happened yet and your child is older, it is still worth booking one now.

Why so early, before there might even be a problem?

It can seem early to book a dental visit for a child with only a few teeth, but a tooth can develop a cavity as soon as it comes through, so waiting for a problem to appear is not the safest approach. An early visit lets the dentist check that the teeth and jaw are developing as expected, and gives parents a chance to ask about brushing, diet and habits such as thumb-sucking or a dummy. It also helps the child get used to the dentist and the surroundings while there is nothing to fix, which tends to make later visits easier. Dentistry for children covers this ongoing care in more detail.

What actually happens at a first visit?

A first visit is usually brief. The dentist looks at how the teeth and jaw are developing, checks for early decay or injury, and cleans the teeth if needed. A parent is closely involved throughout, and it is entirely normal to hold a young child on your lap during the examination. It is also normal for a small child to be unsettled at first, since it is all new to them, and the visit is paced around this rather than rushed.

What if this is happening later than usual?

If your child is already a toddler, or older, and has not yet had a first dental visit, it is still worth booking one now rather than waiting for the “right” time to pass further. The dentist simply starts from wherever your child’s teeth and development currently are. How often to return after this first visit is a related question, covered in How often should you go to the dentist?

Does the whole family need to see the same dentist?

Many parents find it simpler to bring children to the same practice the rest of the family already attends, rather than managing separate dentists. Can the whole family see the same dentist? looks at how this generally works. Some parents instead look specifically for a dentist who only treats children, and Does my child need a paediatric dentist? explains the difference.

What if my child has already had a dental injury?

Starting early also means you already know who to call if something goes wrong later, such as a fall that chips or knocks out a tooth. What should I do if a tooth is knocked out? sets out the first-aid steps for that specific injury, and it applies to a child’s permanent teeth just as it does to an adult’s.

How she helps a nervous child

She aims to give each appointment the time it needs, and a nervous patient can set the pace. Patients hear what she has found, what the choices are, and what each involves, which applies to a child’s appointment as much as to an adult’s.

How do I reach Dr Davies?

Dr Annabel Davies sees children as well as adults at BRS Dental on Strand Street, in Cape Town City Centre. To make an appointment, call Dr Davies directly on her own mobile, which is shown on this page.