Patient Information

Everything you need to know before your child’s visit at Texoma Pediatric Dentistry.

Before Your Visit Routine Dental Care Special Health Care Needs Appointments & Policies

01 · Before Your Visit

Getting Ready For The First Visit

Nervous about what to expect? Call us we’re happy to walk through it beforehand.

Your child should establish a dental home when their first tooth appears and no later than their first birthday. Early visits give us an opportunity to monitor growth and development, discuss brushing, fluoride, diet, and habits, and identify potential concerns early.

Your child’s first visit is all about getting to know them, helping them feel comfortable in our office, and getting a complete picture of their oral health. Depending on your child’s age and individual needs, the appointment may include X-rays, a cleaning and fluoride treatment, and a comprehensive exam to evaluate their teeth, bite, growth, and development. Dr. Jess will review any findings with you, answer your questions, and discuss next steps if treatment is needed.

For our youngest patients, the first visit may look a little different, and that’s okay! Sometimes a successful first visit is simply becoming familiar with the office, meeting our team, and allowing Dr. Jess to take a look.

Keep it simple, positive, and upbeat. Let your child know they’re coming to see Dr. Jess and our team to take care of their teeth. For a first visit, you can tell them we’ll count and brush their teeth and may take some pictures. You can even show them photos of our office and team beforehand so things feel a little more familiar when they arrive.

Try to avoid words like shot, needle, pain, or hurt — even when reassuring them that something “won’t hurt.” There’s no need to explain procedures or every detail ahead of time. Our team uses kid-friendly language and will guide your child through each step of their visit.

Absolutely! Parents and guardians are welcome to accompany their child for exams, preventive visits, and routine treatment, including visits with nitrous oxide.

That said, some children actually do better when they have the opportunity to work with our team independently. If we feel your child may be more comfortable or cooperative without a parent in the treatment area, we may recommend that you relax in the waiting room while we take great care of them.

For oral sedation and IV sedation appointments, parents and guardians remain in the waiting room during treatment. We’ll review everything with you beforehand and provide clear instructions for before and after your child’s appointment.

02 · Routine Dental Care

Keeping Up The Good Habits

Most children benefit from routine dental visits about every six months. Children with a higher risk of cavities or other dental concerns may benefit from more frequent visits based on their individual needs.

Begin brushing with fluoride toothpaste when the first tooth appears. For children younger than 3, use a smear or rice-sized amount. For children ages 3–6, use a pea-sized amount and supervise brushing.

Baby teeth are important for eating, speaking, maintaining space for developing permanent teeth, and your child’s overall oral health. Losing a baby tooth too early can sometimes affect the position of the teeth around it.

03 · Children With Special Health Care Needs

Every Child Is Different

If your child has medical, developmental, sensory, behavioral, or communication needs that may affect their dental visit, please let us know before the appointment. Providing this information ahead of time gives our team an opportunity to prepare for your child’s visit and make appropriate accommodations whenever possible.

Special Needs Accommodations Tell Us Before Your Visit

04 · Appointments & Office Policies

Good To Know Before You Book

Yes! Texoma Pediatric Dentistry welcomes new patients from infancy through adolescence.

A parent or legal guardian should accompany patients under 18, particularly for new-patient visits and appointments where treatment decisions or consent may be required.

We ask for at least two business days’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment. Repeated missed appointments or late cancellations may result in dismissal from the practice.

If your child experiences dental pain, swelling, an injury to the teeth or mouth, or another urgent dental concern, please contact our office so we can determine the appropriate next step.

For serious or potentially life-threatening injuries including uncontrolled bleeding, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, or significant facial trauma seek emergency medical care immediately.

Still Have Questions?

Our team is happy to talk through anything before you book.

Contact Us Call (903) 290-2009