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Emergencies |
New Patient Forms
Before the First Visit
Please discuss the positive
aspects of dentistry with your child. One way to convey
good feelings to children about dental visits is to
remind them that going to the dentist is a sign that
they are growing up. You can explain that Dr. Shapter
and his helpers will take pictures of his or her teeth
with a special camera.
Please do not tell your child that “the
dentist will not hurt” as this may never have entered
their mind. Instead, you may wish to assure your child
that the doctor will be gentle and friendly. Also,
please avoid talking about “ needles, shots, pulling” or
using words that suggest unpleasantness. The office
makes a practice of using words that convey the same
message, but are pleasant and non-frightening to the
child.
We
sincerely trust you and your child will find the first
visit to our office comfortable, fun and rewarding!
The First Visit
Our Office, as well as the
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, recommends that
you and your child visit the dentist by his/her 1st
birthday. You can make the first visit to the dentist
enjoyable and positive. Your child should be informed of
the visit and told that the dentist and their staff will
explain all procedures and answer any questions. The
less to-do concerning the visit, the better.
We invite you to stay with your child
during the initial examination visit. During
future appointments, we suggest that you allow your
child to accompany our staff through the dental
experience. We can usually establish a closer rapport
with your child when you are not present. Our purpose is
to gain your child’s confidence and overcome
apprehension.
We are all highly experienced in helping
children overcome anxiety. Separation Anxiety is not
uncommon in children, so please try not to be concerned
if your child exhibits some negative behavior at first.
This is normal and will soon diminish. Studies and
experience have shown that most children over the age of
3 years react more positively when permitted to
experience the dental visit on their own and in an
environment for children.
Our staff will review your child’s health
history form with you at the first visit. You and your
child will be together in the treatment area during the
initial exam. This will give you’re the opportunity to
see our team in action and allow Dr. Shapter to discuss
dental findings and treatment with you directly. We will
perform a head and neck examination and then evaluate
the health of the mouth, teeth, gums and bite. Dental
radiographs (x-rays) are taken only when Dr. Shapter
feels it is necessary. Additional services will be
scheduled for a later visit.
If you bring other children, who are not
being treated, with you to the office, they must remain
in the reception room with a supervising adult.
Our staff can not babysit your other children during the
appointment.
Most Children
Cry - they cry at the pediatrician's office,
when they get a haircut, when they get new shoes... They
will probably cry here. do not get upset over this, as
it is short lived and will end when they select their
new toothbrush and prizes.
Try not to schedule appointments at
nap-time. Just as you and I dislike being disturbed from
our rest, so do the little ones. Bring the after their
nap or in the early morning so they can return to
pre-school. Most school administrators agree - A child
can miss 30 minutes of pre-school twice a year for a
dental visit.
If you know your child is not feeling
well, bringing them here is not good judgment for 2
reasons...
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Your child will be miserable and not
have a very good experience.
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Your child will probably infect the
other kids in the practice.
As new situations arise in your child's
young life, i.e., new siblings, new house, new school,
toilet training. Scheduling a visit with us becomes
strategic. We try to be very sensitive in that regard.
Emergencies
Emergencies are a common occurrence in Pediatrics and
our office responds to these events promptly. Kindly
dial the office number and you will be directed to the
Beeper service. Your child's emergency is handled 24
hours a day.
We
strive to make every visit to our office a fun one !
New Patient Forms
For your convenience prior to visiting our office, please
click on the below listed links to print and read the New Patient Forms, complete the information and
bring them with you to your first visit.
Patient Consent Form
Permission for Treatment of a Minor
New Patient Information Form
Financial Policies
Patient Policies
To print the form you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. If
you do not have Adobe Acrobat, please click
here to download it for free to
your computer.
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