First visit and cleaning
Larch & Finch Pediatric Dentistry gives children in Seattle, Washington a first visit and cleaning in about 45 minutes.
A hello, a ride in the chair, a count of the teeth, a cleaning and a prize, at your child's pace and with you beside them the whole time.
Minute by minute
Most children come for this visit between their first tooth and their fourth birthday, though it works for any child who has not met us yet. We suggest the first visit around the first birthday, or when the first tooth shows up.
The visit takes about 45 minutes for a child over two and about 30 for a baby. A parent or guardian stays in the room the whole time, and you are welcome to sit in the chair with your child.
The dentist checks every tooth, the gums, the bite and how the jaw is growing, and a hygienist cleans the teeth. If your child needs anything more, we explain it in plain words and we do not start it without your yes.
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Hello at the door
5 minutes
We greet your child by name, then you. The forms come by email before the visit, so there is no clipboard at the door.
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Ride the chair
5 minutes
The chair goes up, down and back like a slow ride. Small children can sit on your lap, and babies sit knee to knee with the dentist.
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Count the teeth
10 minutes
A tiny mirror counts every tooth out loud. We say what each tool does before it touches a tooth.
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Polish and rinse
15 minutes
A soft spinning brush and strawberry polish clean the teeth. The dentist may suggest fluoride, and tells you why first.
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Pick a prize and make a plan
10 minutes
The dentist tells you what we saw in plain words, and your child picks a small prize from the shelf.
What to bring
Four things. None of them is a clipboard.
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A comfort friend
A stuffed animal or a blanket your child can hold in the chair. We keep spares, but yours smells like home.
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Your insurance card
If you have one. Tell us the plan when you book and we check the benefits before you arrive.
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A short health list
Your child's medicines and allergies, on paper or on your phone. The forms we email ask for the rest.
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A question or two
About thumbs, pacifiers, brushing or the wobbly tooth. We leave time at the end for you.
How we handle nerves
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Tell, show, then do
Every tool gets a name and a turn on your child's finger before it goes near a tooth.
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A raised hand means stop
We agree on the signal at the start. When a hand goes up, we pause and take a breath together.
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You stay, and you can hold a hand
You are in the room the whole time, and a small child can sit in the chair on your lap.
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A hello-only day still counts
If your child is not ready, we call it a good visit and book the cleaning for another day.
Sensory needs, or a hard visit somewhere else? Tell us when you book. We plan the room, the light and the pace around your child.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the first visit take?
About 45 minutes for a child over two, and about 30 minutes for a baby or a toddler who would rather stay on your lap.
What should we bring to the first visit?
Your insurance card if you have one, a list of your child's medicines and allergies, and a comfort item such as a stuffed animal or a blanket. We email the forms when you book, so you can fill them in at home.
Can I stay in the room with my child?
Yes. A parent or guardian stays in the room for the whole first visit, and you can sit in the chair with a small child on your lap.
What if my child is scared or will not open their mouth?
That is common and it is fine. We tell, show and then do, and a raised hand means stop. If today turns into a hello-only day, we count it as a good visit and book the cleaning for another day.
When should a baby first see a dentist?
We suggest around the first birthday, or when the first tooth shows up, whichever comes first. A baby visit is short, and it happens on your lap, knee to knee with the dentist.
More from Larch & Finch
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Sealants and fluoride
A thin coating and a mineral varnish that help protect the back teeth, painted on in a few minutes.
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Fillings and crowns
Repairs for cavities, explained to your child in their own words before anything begins.
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Toothaches and tooth injuries
Call us first. We make room for pain and injuries as soon as the day allows.