Your child's first experiences with dentistry can determine their attitude towards dentistry for the rest of their lives. I cannot tell you how many anxious adults I see who can trace their dental anxiety back to traumatic childhood experiences.

Therefore, it is important that we see your child regularly beginning at an early age; ideally between the ages of one and two years. This allows me to detect and treat problems while they are still small, to initiate preventive measures, to review with you how to care for your child's dental needs at home, and to allow your child to get to know me, my staff, and my office in a positive and familiar way.

Most of the water supply in our area is not fluoridated, so using supplemental fluoride tablets or drops will help your child to minimize their risk for dental decay; not only now but for the rest of their lifetime.

Early application of sealants over the grooves on the chewing surfaces of your child's teeth protects one of their most decay-prone areas.

I will also be looking at how your child's teeth are positioned and how their jaws and face are developing. Early interceptive treatment can often minimize the need for braces at a later date.

e-mail questions and feedback to:
David Dutkowski, D.M.D.

© 1996-2001 David Dutkowski, D.M.D. - all rights reserved