Pediatric Dental Exams

At Novato Children's Dentistry, we know how important it is to create positive dental office experiences. A child’s early encounters with the dentist can shape how they feel about oral health for life. That’s why we’ve designed our kids dental exams to be thorough, fun, educational, and tailored to each child’s comfort. Our mission is to build trust, confidence, and excitement around dental care from the very first visit.

Our team, led by Dr. Espinosa and Dr. DeSimini, ensures every child feels at ease in a warm, welcoming environment. From the moment they step through our doors, they’ll experience personalized care and attention, making dental visits something to look forward to.

When Should Kids Start Seeing the Dentist?

Children should have their first dental visit by their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth erupts. Early dental visits are critical for guiding parents, spotting potential issues, preventing cavities, and introducing good oral hygiene habits in a supportive setting. These initial appointments focus on education, prevention, and making kids feel comfortable while parents receive guidance on caring for their child’s growing smile.

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Our Approach

• Kid-Friendly Environment: Our clinic is designed to make your child feel comfortable and excited about their dental visit. With colorful and playful decor, calming and familiar music, two saltwater fish tanks, soothing essential oil diffusion, a warm and friendly staff, we ensure a positive atmosphere from the moment you walk in.‍
• Gentle Examinations: Our pediatric dentists, Dr. Espinosa and Dr. DeSimini, specialize in making dental exams as gentle as possible. We use child-friendly language, soothing tones, and techniques, such as “Tell-Show-Do” and verbal distractions, to make the examination process less intimidating.‍
• Educational Experience: We believe in educating our young patients and parents about good oral hygiene in a fun and understandable way. Our team takes extra time to teach your child about brushing, flossing, diet, and the importance of taking care of their teeth.

What’s Included in a Pediatric Comprehensive Dental Exam?

We’ve designed our dental exams to be as comfortable and enjoyable as possible for kids. Each visit begins with a friendly greeting from our front office coordinator, Tina, who might invite your child to draw pictures or help feed the fish in our saltwater tanks. Once ready, Dr. Espinosa, Dr. DeSimini, or one of our dental assistants will escort your family to the designated exam rooms. 

Before the exam, you will be asked if there are any changes to your child’s medical health, medications, diet, home habits, or cooperation with home hygiene and following instructions. All of these can affect how we prepare for their exam and their risk for infection. During the exam, we’ll take a comprehensive look at your child’s head, neck, and mouth. First, we look for any pathology and asymmetries of the neck, face, and head. Next, we examine the oral cavity which includes the size of the tongue and the tonsils to determine if they are affecting proper airway flow. After, we evaluate the teeth for abnormalities and infections (cavities), gums for health, the occlusion (bite), and any other soft tissue pathology of the mouth. Throughout this exam, we describe what we are doing so our patients feel engaged with the process and free to ask any questions. If recommended, we’ll use our low-radiation digital X-rays with the smallest sensors available to ensure your child’s comfort. Generally, our dental exam appointments include a dental cleaning and polishing. Our Registered Dental Assistants and our Doctors will use disclosing liquid to highlight the plaque on the teeth and gums as part of our oral hygiene instruction. We also include flossing and flossing technique as part of the hygiene instruction too. After, a fluoride treatment to strengthen enamel and protect against cavities is applied. Again, throughout the process, we use kid-friendly language and techniques like “Tell-Show-Do” to keep children calm and engaged.

Why Choose Novato Children’s Dentistry?

Our pediatric dentists, Dr. Espinosa and Dr. DeSimini, are board-certified specialists with extensive training in children’s oral health. They are experts in managing the unique dental needs of infants, toddlers, children, and teens, as well as patients with special health care requirements. Every visit is tailored to fit your child’s individual needs, ensuring a stress-free experience.

Our clinic prioritizes creating a positive atmosphere that makes children feel at home. From our playful decor and soothing essential oils to our calming approach, we aim to make every visit an enjoyable adventure. For anxious or fearful children, we take things slowly, sometimes breaking appointments into multiple visits to ease them into dental care. This personalized approach helps protect their developing mindset and fosters a lifelong positive attitude toward oral health.

Comprehensive Care for Every Stage

We offer a wide range of services for children of all ages, from routine dental exams and cleanings to restorative treatments like fillings and crowns. Whether your child needs preventive care, guidance on thumb-sucking, or treatment for a dental emergency, our team is here to provide expert care with a gentle touch.