A good first dental visit starts at home: with a calm appointment, playful preparation, the right words and praise afterwards. The aim is not to treat as much as possible the first time, but for your child to get to know the practice as a friendly place.

At our practice in Küsnacht, we treat children and whole families. You can find out what we offer our youngest patients on the page Dentistry for children and families in Küsnacht. Here we look at the question that concerns many parents first: how do you get off to a good start?

When is the right time for the first visit?

As a general guide, a short first get-to-know-you visit makes sense as soon as the first baby teeth have come through, and not only once something hurts. Coming early means we can take a relaxed look, answer questions about dental care and spot problems before they become serious.

If your child’s first visit is prompted by pain, the situation is often more difficult, because getting to know us and treatment happen at the same time. A relaxed visit without a specific reason is therefore the better first experience.

5 tips for a relaxed first dental visit

1. Choose a calm appointment time

Many children are more rested and open to new things in the morning. Avoid times when your child usually sleeps or is hungry. Allow a few minutes’ buffer so that you don’t arrive in a rush and your child can look around the waiting area.

2. Prepare playfully at home

Children process new experiences through play. Anything they have already acted out feels less strange at the practice. A few ideas to suit different ages:

Playing dentist: Your child looks into their cuddly toys’ mouths and counts their teeth. Then you swap roles.
Open wide: Practise keeping the mouth open for a long time in front of the mirror, like a lion.
Picture books: Child-friendly books about visiting the dentist make the process familiar.
Toothbrushing songs: They link the subject of teeth with something cheerful.

Younger children like simple, hands-on games. Older children often want to know what the mirror or the lamp is for. Answer such questions honestly and briefly.

3. Choose the right words

Well-meant phrases can actually trigger fears. A child who hears that it “won’t hurt” suddenly starts thinking about pain. Better:

Avoid: “It won’t hurt”, “You don’t need to be scared”, “injection”, “drilling”.
Instead: “The dentist is going to check that your teeth are healthy”, “She’s going to count your teeth”.
No stories of your own: It’s best to keep your own unpleasant experiences at the dentist to yourself.

It’s completely normal if you feel nervous yourself. But children pick up on their parents’ mood. A calm, matter-of-fact attitude helps your child more than lots of explanations.

4. Be there and give the team space

Your presence gives your child a sense of security, and so does a familiar cuddly toy. In the treatment room, however, let the dentist take the lead so that she can talk directly with your child. Children are often proud when they master a new situation themselves. If your child seems uneasy, mention it calmly: together we will find a pace that works.

5. Praise afterwards instead of rewarding in advance

A reward promised beforehand often signals: something difficult is coming. Recognition afterwards is more effective, for example:

Praise: “I think it’s great how well you joined in.”
Time together: a trip to the playground or the lake.
A small keepsake: a sticker or a book, not sweets.

Give praise even if not everything went to plan. Just sitting down in the chair is a success the first time.

How we approach the first visit at our practice

We are a family practice on Seestrasse in Küsnacht, about a five-minute walk from Küsnacht station. Our motto is: dentistry can be pleasant. With children, this above all means that we take our time and proceed gently.

Getting to know us first: At the first appointment, your child can explore the chair, the lamp and the team at their own pace. Your child also has a say in how far we go.
Nervous children are welcome: Our team especially looks forward to welcoming patients who are nervous or have special needs.
Prevention and treatment: For children, we offer professional teeth cleaning, tooth decay prevention and fillings, among other things.
Many languages: Besides German, our team speaks English, French, Greek, Spanish and Portuguese, among others.

Practice owner Dr. Tanja Karamousli is herself a mother of two and knows that parents don’t want to take their child to just any dentist. If you or your child are particularly anxious, you are welcome to read how we deal with fear of the dentist.

What comes next: school dental check-up and tooth alignment

At school age, regular check-ups are added. We accept vouchers from all municipalities for the school dental check-up with us in Küsnacht. During the check-up, we examine teeth and fillings and use a digital scan on a large screen to show your child what we can see.

At the school dental check-up, we also assess whether early orthodontic treatment might be advisable. Not every misalignment needs to be treated early. You can read about when an assessment makes sense in the article Braces for children: the right time. Our team includes Dr. med. dent. Sofia Bakirtzi, a specialist orthodontist.

Frequently asked questions

Can I come into the treatment room during the first visit?

Yes. Especially the first time, having you close by gives your child a sense of security. Hold back a little in the conversation so that your child can build their own relationship with the team.

What if my child won’t cooperate?

That happens and is not a failure. We never force your child to do anything. Things often go much better at the second or third visit, once the surroundings are familiar.

Should I bring my child along when I have an appointment myself?

That can be a good way to prepare them, provided it is a short check-up and you are relaxed. For longer treatments, it’s better to book a separate appointment for your child.

How often should my child come for check-ups afterwards?

That depends on their age and dental health. After the first visit, we will discuss with you what interval makes sense for your child.

Would you like to give your child a relaxed start? Book a get-to-know-you appointment in Küsnacht here – we look forward to meeting your family.