Getting ready for your child’s first orthodontic appointment can be a mix of excitement and nerves for you and your kiddo! Fortunately, you don’t have to go into your first appointment at Delplanche Orthodontics blind and unprepared.
Why Should A Child See An Orthodontist?
Taking your kid to an orthodontist when they’re young can really help their dental health. Orthodontists are pros at spotting and fixing issues like malocclusion, which means the teeth and jaws aren’t lining up right. We can treat all sorts of problems like crossbite, open bite, crowding, spacing, overbite, and underbite.
Catching these issues early can stop them from turning into more substantial problems down the road. Plus, it helps guide your child’s teeth and jaws to grow correctly, giving them a healthier and more confident smile. Early treatment can save them from needing more complicated procedures later, making the whole process a lot easier.
To learn more about early treatment, check out this blog: “Everything You Need To Know About Phase One Treatment.”
Before The Appointment
Like any doctor’s appointment, there are a few things you have to do in advance to make your child’s first orthodontic appointment as beneficial as possible for you and your child.
1.) Gather The Necessary Information
We always tell new patients to bring the following things to the consultation or have them sent to us prior.
- Medical and Dental History: After scheduling your initial consultation, our team will email you a link to our New Patient Health History Forms. These can be completed online from your computer or phone and will be sent to us securely so that we have the necessary information to be as prepared as possible for your visit. We ask that you complete these forms within 48 hours of scheduling your consultation to save time and help your appointment run smoothly.
If you lost the email with the forms or never received the paperwork in the mail, don’t worry. We’ve got them posted here.
- Insurance Information: We will ask you for your insurance information over the phone when you schedule your consultation so that we can verify your insurance benefits. If Dr. Delplanche recommends treatment, knowing your insurance information ahead of time will allow us to tell you what your out-of-pocket expenses will be on the same day of your consultation.
- Identification: Bring a photo ID for yourself, especially if this is your first visit to the office. We have to know that you are who you say you are!
2.) Prepare Your Child
Getting your child ready for their first orthodontic appointment can help ease anxiety and make the experience more positive. Here are some tips on how to prepare and why they’re important:
- Explain the Appointment: Let your child know what to expect to help reduce fear of the unknown. A simple explanation can make them feel more comfortable. For details, call one of our offices! We’d be happy to give you the consultation 411.
- Answer Their Questions: A Q&A session will help them be educated about what they’re most concerned or curious about. It could even help them feel in control of the situation, which can ease anxiety.
- Stay Positive: Your attitude influences your child’s feelings. Keep the conversation reassuring and optimistic by focusing on positive things like the benefits of a straight smile to help them feel excited rather than scared. You don’t want them to feel nervous just because you are!
- Use Simple Language: Describe the appointment using age-appropriate language. Avoid using words that might sound scary, confusing, or intimidating.
- Read Books or Watch Videos: Find children’s books or videos about visiting the orthodontist. These can make the experience seem familiar and fun. Believe it or not, there are plenty of them out there!
- Tell Them About Our Kids Club: All pediatric Delplanche Orthodontics patients will be invited to join our Do Good + Grow Kids Club at their first consultation, even if treatment isn’t needed. We will also schedule a follow-up appointment to check the child’s growth and development. This is a fun program we put together to keep you and your child engaged in the orthodontic process to learn more about their dental health while we monitor your child’s smile. We’ll give your child an exclusive Kids Club card and lanyard that they can decorate with special pins. These pins are earned through completing challenges that help them meet non-dental goals by developing good habits or personal achievements.
- Bring a Comfort Item: Allow your child to bring a favorite toy or blanket. A familiar item can provide comfort and security. (If their comfort item is big or potentially disruptive to other patients, please call ahead and ask if it’s okay to bring.)
- Plan a Fun Activity Afterwards: Promise a fun activity or treat after the appointment. This gives your child something to look forward to and helps associate the visit with a reward.
- Practice Good Oral Hygiene: Encourage your child to brush and floss well before the appointment. This helps them feel more prepared and confident. They’ll be less nervous about smelly breath or food in their teeth and better able to focus on the fun parts of the appointment.
3.) Prepare Questions To Ask
We’ve all had those moments where we leave a meeting or appointment and think of ten questions we should have asked. You can always call us after your appointments to ask questions, but we know it’s much more convenient for most parents to take care of it at once. For this reason, we encourage you to jot down any questions or concerns you might have in a singular list. This ensures you cover everything important during the consultation.
What To Expect During The Appointment
The initial consultation at Delplanche Orthodontics will take about an hour.
The initial consultation at Delplanche Orthodontics will take about an hour. It is painless and allows plenty of time for you to meet with Dr. Delplanche and our team to answer any questions you may have. You’ll meet the team, including our board-certified Dr. Delplanche, and we’ll take photos of your teeth and smile, a panoramic x-ray and possibly even a 3D scan of your teeth and thoroughly examine your child’s records, teeth, gums, and facial structure. You’ll also be given plenty of time to get answers to any questions you may have.
When we’re done, Dr. Delplanche will discuss with you his findings and what he recommends for the next steps. Not all children need to start treatment immediately, but if your child does, he’ll explain the optimal timeline and treatment options.
After the consultation, if treatment is recommended, our team will discuss the next steps to get started with you, possibly even on that same day. We will go over the costs for treatment and how your insurance works with you and help you get scheduled. We’ll answer any questions you have about the recommended treatment and how it all works.
If treatment is not recommended at this time, we’ll schedule a follow-up appointment and continue to monitor the child’s growth and development of the eruption of their teeth. These are important to schedule and attend even if your child is not yet ready for treatment. This follow-up appointment is an opportunity for your child to learn more about their dental health and will be their first chance to earn a pin, too!
Guarantee A Healthy, Perfect Smile For Your Child With Delplanche Orthodontics.
At Delplanche Orthodontics in Beaverton, OR, we’re dedicated to making your child’s first orthodontic appointment as smooth and anxiety-free as possible. Our friendly and knowledgeable team, led by a board-certified orthodontist, is here to guide you every step of the way. Schedule your free in-person or virtual consultation today and take the first step toward a healthier, happier smile for your child!