When was your childs 1st visit to the dentist?

[Sanzinoz]

Just wondering, how old was your child when you first took him/her to the dentist. I know its suggested you take them from the age of 2 just to get them used to going, but this aside, when is it recommended to have their first check up from a dental point of view.

[MummaBear03]

I was told around their first birthday if they have 4 or more teeth, but before 18 months.

I can't afford that so she went at 4 when she could use the school dentist even though she wasn't at school yet because you can still use them at 4. They said her teeth were perfect and gave a sticker and let her ride the chair and told her how good she was for sitting still. She found the bib amusing, thought it was so funny, that white plasticy-paper bib looking thing lol.

[Leeny]

I called a few dentists a few months ago, and was told unless theres a problem or concern (chipped or rotten tooth etc etc), they generally don't see children until they turn 3... Wether thats a general thing, or just for the few places I called I dont know :)

ETA: Ahhh see, already, 2 people have been told 2 different things :)... Perhaps just ring the dentist of your choice and find out when they prefer?

[Shakey]

i'm not sure about here, but in NZ you start taking them once a year after they turn 12mths

I didn't take DS to his first dentist appt till he was just over 3.5 years, he didn't even open his mouth for the dental nurse to see lol, will take him again next year

[Myztik]

I was told they should have their first check up at age 2.

I took DS1 when he was 5 :o He has 20 perfectly healthy teeth though :p

[MummaBear03]

When is the government going to subsidise these things? I've been on the waiting list to see a dentist through the public system for 4 years and nothing yet, so just went to the school one for my daughter, who can't get on the list at all as her teeth are perfect so any trips to the dentist would cost a few hundred, out of our reach.

[Myztik]

I have spent over $1000 on my teeth since just before Christmas and that is going through the public system :no: it's insane.. I still need more work done but have to save up some more $$ first.

[Shakey]

When is the government going to subsidise these things? I've been on the waiting list to see a dentist through the public system for 4 years and nothing yet, so just went to the school one for my daughter, who can't get on the list at all as her teeth are perfect so any trips to the dentist would cost a few hundred, out of our reach.

Thats wrong ay, to have to pay so much for a young child to see a dentist, they should definatly make it free for under 6 year olds, and then have dentists at the schools for the school age kids :yes: the trick to having good teeth when your older, is to keep your healthy young teeth in good nick, and that isn't really possible if no one can afford to take their child to the dentist :no:

[Leeny]

Its crazy isn't it..

[MummaBear03]

Thats wrong ay, to have to pay so much for a young child to see a dentist, they should definatly make it free for under 6 year olds, and then have dentists at the schools for the school age kids :yes: the trick to having good teeth when your older, is to keep your healthy young teeth in good nick, and that isn't really possible if no one can afford to take their child to the dentist :no:
They can see the dentist in the schools from the time they turn 4, which for her was 18 months before even starting school but before that there's no way she could have gone to a dentist. I have lots that needs to be done too but next year when she starts school finances will be even tighter than they are now so it still won't be affordable. Luckily she has really good habits and has let me brush her teeth almost every time, and the times she's fought it I've won so she doesn't bother trying to fight me now lol. She also eats well and drinks a cup of water with every meal, and only drinks water, no soft drink or juice or cordial or anything so her teeth are really good. But mine are shocking! I haven't been able to see a dentist since about 2001.

[Chunkydunks]

We took DS when he was around 2 1/2 and again 6 months later. He has chipped teeth and enamel missing in one spot so we try to get them checked as often as we can but we just don't really have the money to get them checked here yet.

[Sanzinoz]

How do you see the dentist at the school when they dont go to school? She isnt even enrolled anywhere yet? And she doent have older sibblings at that school, she has just turned 4. Im sure her teeth a fine, her eating, drinking and brushing habbits are good and they look ok to me. But Im obviously a bit late in taking her, oops, I guess Id better boook her in straight away.
Thanks for the prompt replies ladies.

[ThisIsLiving]

We haven't been yet. DD is 4 years old :o

I'm going to make her an appointment some time soon. :yes: Thanks for the reminder! :D

[Nowhere]

Miki sees the dentist at the hospital cause she is a tubie and her reflux is so bad we have to see them about every six months fiurst visit was about one and seen then twice since, they are really good there as its in the childrens so used to kids like miki, her dentist jokes and says its a bonus if miki only pukes on her once