When should my child first see a dentist?
Early, by about age 1. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) says “the dental home should be established no later than 12 months of age.” A dental home is the dentist your family returns to over time. This is as of October 2026.
If your child is older and has never been, start now. Our guide to a child’s first dental visit explains what happens. Many parents feel unsure about this step, and a call to a dental office is a fine place to start.
What questions should I ask a dental office for my child?
Make a short list and ask each office the same questions. This table gives a start for families near Wildwood, MO.
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| What ages do you see? | Some offices see babies and teens; others do not |
| How does a first visit go? | You know what to tell your child |
| How do you help nervous children? | Fear can make visits harder |
| What are your hours, and how do you handle a problem when you are closed? | School schedules and weekends matter |
| How do you give estimates? | You can plan for cost |
| Do you take my plan? | Networks and plans vary |
| Which dentist will see my child? | You can look up that person |
Write down the answers for each office, then compare.
What does Town Center Dental say about children?
Our Services page says we treat “every member of the family, from infants to grandparents.” Both dentists are general dentists. We do not make promises about any child’s visit. Our dentists talk with parents about what to expect.
Our office is open Monday to Wednesday 8am to 5pm and Thursday 8am to 4pm, and closed Friday to Sunday. We do not offer weekend care. Read the emergency dentistry page to see how the office describes urgent visits. If your child has trouble breathing or swallowing, or swelling around the neck or under the jaw, call 911 or go to an emergency room.
Family dentist or children’s office: how do I decide?
Both can be a good fit. A family office can see parents and children in one place. A children’s office may focus only on kids. Ask about the team, the visit style and the schedule. Our post on a family dentist or a children’s dentist compares them in more detail.
For a nervous child, ask what the office does to help. Our page on dental anxiety management describes the practice’s own approach. Ask any office about each option and what it involves before the visit.
How do I check the dentist’s license and coverage?
Look up the dentist on the state’s tool. The Missouri licensee search says, “You must choose at least one criterion (County, Profession, Name, or License Number).” Pick Dentist as the profession, then search by name. Our post on how to check a Missouri dentist’s license has the steps.
For coverage, the MO HealthNet Division says it “currently offers comprehensive dental services for children.” Our post on MO HealthNet and adult dental care explains the program. We do not say here which plans our office accepts, so call and ask.
What should I watch for during a first visit?
Pay attention to how the team speaks to your child. Do they use plain words and let your child ask questions? Do they explain what they are doing before they do it? Do they listen to you about your child’s habits, such as thumb sucking, bedtime bottles or snacks? You can learn a lot from the first ten minutes.
After the visit, ask yourself: Did we get answers? Did my child feel respected? Do I know the next step and the cost? If any answer is no, call the office back, or try another office. Choosing a dentist is not a one-time choice, and you can change your mind.
What can I do at home before the first visit?
ADA MouthHealthy says to “brush your child’s teeth twice a day with a child-size toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste” until you are comfortable that your child can brush alone. Keep sweet drinks to mealtimes, and talk about the visit in a calm voice. Read the glossary entry on fluoride toothpaste for the amount by age. Ask the dentist about early childhood caries if your child has frequent sweet drinks at bedtime.
Next step
See our dentistry for kids page for how our dentists care for children. To ask your questions or book, call (636) 273-5866 or request an appointment.
Frequently asked questions
When should my child first see a dentist?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry says the dental home should be established no later than 12 months of age. Your child's doctor or dentist can also talk with you about timing. Our guide to the first dental visit has more.
Should my child see a family dentist or a children's dental office?
Either can be a fit. Ask each office what ages it sees, how it handles nervous children and what happens after hours. Our post on a family dentist versus a children's office compares the choices.
What should I ask a dental office before booking?
Ask what ages the office sees, how the first visit works, how it helps nervous children, what its hours are, how it handles emergencies and how it gives estimates. Write the answers down so you can compare offices.
How do I check a dentist's license in Missouri?
Use the licensee search on the state's MO PRO license portal. Choose Dentist as the profession and enter a name or license number. Our post on checking a Missouri dentist's license walks through the steps.
Does MO HealthNet cover children's dental care?
The MO HealthNet Division says it currently offers comprehensive dental services for children. Ask your plan which dental offices are in its network, and ask any office whether it takes your plan before you book.
Terms on this page
Sources
- AAPD: Definition of Dental Home
- Missouri Department of Social Services, MO HealthNet Division: Dental
- Missouri Division of Professional Registration: License Search Page (MO PRO)
- ADA MouthHealthy: Healthy Habits, Babies and Kids
Written by Town Center Dental and checked against the sources above on October 26, 2026. Dental guidance changes, so check the linked page, and ask your dentist about your own care.