The first visit to the dentist: how to do it without tears

The first visit is a meet and greet: the child sits in the chair, sees the little mirror and the lamp, and the doctor counts their teeth. No drilling.

The day before

• read a picture book about teeth together
• say the doctor will "count the teeth"
• don't promise "it won't hurt" — that sounds like it will

On the day

• come when the child is neither tired nor hungry
• bring a favourite toy
• a parent stays in the room all the time

When you book, pick "A child's first visit" — a meet and greet, not a check-up, about twenty minutes long.