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Patient Info | Danforth Children's Dentistry
Children have particular dental needs that are distinctive from the dental needs of an adult.
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Paediatric Dentistry

A paediatric dentist is trained to meet all oral health care concerns of children and adolescents.

A paediatric dentist is a specialist who is qualified in the dental needs of children ranging from infants to adolescents and also patients with special needs.

Paediatric dentistry requires an additional two to three years of formal education and clinical training after dental school with focus on behaviour management, dental growth and development, prevention and oral health of children.

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First dental visit

We use kid-friendly language and a tell-show-do approach to explain what we are doing so that the child is aware and engaged in every step of the visit.

Kindly arrive ten minutes early to your appointment so that you can complete the necessary medical history and consent forms.

Here are some key suggestions to prepare you and your child for his/her first dental visit:

  • Tell your child about their upcoming visit to the dentist.
  • Explain to your child that the dentist is here to help them have healthy teeth and gums.
  • There are several excellent books that you can find at the library or at the bookstore that will help prepare you and your child for their first visit.
  • Please remember to be positive, enthusiastic and convey a sense of goodwill about your child’s upcoming visit.
  • We welcome parents or caregivers in the dental room during your child’s first dental visit. Your presence can be extremely reassuring to your child.
  • Please allow us to conduct the visit. Kindly allow us to explain and answer all questions regarding the dental tools and equipment to your child. We will explain these things in a kid-friendly and non-threatening manner.

A dental exam will be completed at the first visit to assess the child’s teeth and surrounding tissues. Dental radiographs may be taken if indicated.

Some of the topics that may be discussed include: oral hygiene and toothbrushing techniques, proper use of fluoride, dietary habits and teething.

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Expecting moms

All expectant mothers should receive oral health care and counseling during their pregnancy.

Research has shown that gum disease can increase the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight and pre-eclampsia.

In addition, mothers with poor oral health are at greater risk of transferring the bacteria that causes cavities to their children.

Oral care tips during pregnancy:

  • Visit your dentist regularly to ensure and maintain good oral health
  • Brush with a fluoridated toothpaste at least twice a day and floss daily to reduce the amount of bacteria in the mouth
  • Sharing utensils, cups or food can cause the transmission of cavity-causing bacteria to your child
  • Chew xylitol-based gum (e.g. Trident). Xylitol is a natural sugar-free sweetener made from the fibers of many fruits, vegetables and hardwood. A child’s risk for cavities has been known to decrease when an expectant mother chews 4 pieces of xylitol-containing gum daily.
Visit your dentist regularly to ensure and maintain good oral health
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a dental cavity?

Dental cavities are caused by bacteria in the mouth that convert sugars in the foods we eat to acids. These acids eventually break down the tooth surface to cause a hole or a cavity.

Dental cavities are also known as Early Childhood Caries (ECC) which is a transmissible and infectious disease that may begin as soon as the first tooth erupts. ECC is the most chronic infectious disease of childhood being five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever!

At what age should my child visit the dentist?

Your child should visit the paediatric dentist as soon as the first tooth erupts and no later than age one.

Early visits allow the paediatric dentist to educate you about the preventive strategies necessary in hopefully having a cavity-free childhood.

How often should my child to visit the dentist?

The frequency of your child’s dental visits is dependent on their risk for cavities. A child with a high cavity risk may see a dentist as often as every three months.

A child with a low risk of developing dental cavities may see a paediatric dentist every six months.

Why does my child need radiographs?

Please visit Dental Radiographs in “Our Services” for more information.

Why are baby teeth important?

Baby teeth are extremely important! Here are some of the functions of baby teeth:

  • Nutrition via chewing
  • Space-holders of the underlying adult teeth
  • Speech
  • Esthetics
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Office policies

At Danforth Children’s Dentistry our dental fees may vary based on the extent of dental treatment required.

For your convenience we accept cash, debit, visa, american express and mastercard. If you have dental insurance, Wendy (our receptionist extraordinaire) will happily assist you in filing your dental insurance claims once treatment has been completed.

Please note that the appointment that you make with us is reserved specifically for you and your child. In order to provide all services and the necessary attention that your child is worthy of, please arrive on time to your child’s dental appointment.

Kindly give our office 48 hours notice to reschedule your dental appointment so that we can accommodate another child who also requires urgent treatment or a new patient assessment.

There may be an administrative charge if we do not receive your notice to cancel within the 48 hour time period.

Please give our office 48 hours notice to reschedule your dental appointment.
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