The most common question we have regarding children is about what age should they start going to the dentist. At Big Apple Pediatric Dentistry, we follow the guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry on when a child should first see a dentist. Accordingly, you should bring your child to see us when the first tooth comes through the gums. During the first dental visit, we will get to know your child and get him/her acquainted with the dental office. During the initial visit, we also evaluate the child’s dental health, as well as offer tips in good dental care for your child. Our goal is to have our youngest patients feel comfortable and happy about visiting the dentist!
For your child’s first visit to Big Apple Pediatric Dentistry, we like to do a comprehensive examination. This includes looking at your child’s teeth along with the supporting structures of the gums. We will also address your child’s oral hygiene, as well as clean your child’s teeth. We will look at your child’s bite and will only take X-rays if necessary. This is the optimal time to ask questions about your child’s mouth and teeth.
A common concern of parents is that their child is afraid of going to the dentist. At Big Apple Pediatric Dentistry, we are experienced in making a child’s first visit to the dentist as easy and comfortable as possible.
Keep in mind that some children are more nervous or anxious in new situations or environments. That is perfectly understandable. We encourage parents to be open and honest with their children about questions or fears they have regarding their first visit to the dentist.
For the convenience of our patients, we kindly ask that you do your best to arrive on time to your appointment. However, we understand that things do come up, so we leave you a 10-minute leeway period after your scheduled start time to arrive to your appointment. If you arrive more than 10 minutes late, you may need to reschedule or wait until we can fit you in later without inconveniencing other patients.
Here at Big Apple Pediatric Dentistry, we require 48 hours’ notice for any cancellation to fill your appointment. Please help us maintain the highest quality of care by keeping scheduled appointments.
Our office is committed to helping you maximize your dental insurance benefit. As a service to our patients, we will check with your dental insurance company to get your coverage detail before your appointment. Please have your dental insurance information ready when you make your appointment. We can also submit a pre-treatment estimate to your insurance provider on your behalf if necessary.
Please understand that we file claims as a courtesy to our patients and we do not have a contract with your insurance company–only you do. Because insurance policies vary greatly, we can estimate your coverage in good faith but cannot guarantee it due to the complexities of insurance contracts. Please reach out to your insurance provider directly for any specific questions regarding your coverage and benefit information.
If you don’t see your dental insurance listed above, please give our office a call and we would be happy to assist you in making sure you are able to utilize your dental insurance benefits in our office.
Thank you for choosing us as your dental care provider. We are committed to your treatment being successful. Please understand that payment of your bill is considered part of your treatment. The following is a statement of our financial policy which we require that you read and sign prior to any treatment. It is our hope that this policy will facilitate open communication between us and help avoid potential misunderstandings, allowing you to always make the best choices related to your care.
We are also happy to assist you with using a third-party financing company such as CareCredit.
