Home Visit

Going to the Dentist – Birth to 6 Months

Cavity Free Kids > Activities > Home Visit > Going to the Dentist – Birth to 6 Months
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Supplies and Preparation

  • Local Dental Resource List (see www.cavityfreekids.org)

For Extending the Learning:

  • “If You’re Happy and You Know It” song lyrics
  • The book “My Teeth” by Milestones Project, 2007

Print PDFs:

Parent Handout - First Dental Visit First Birthday

Instructions

Starting the Conversation
  • Even though your baby may not have teeth yet, now is the time to start thinking about dental care. Did you know that babies should have their teeth checked by their first tooth or first birthday?
  • A dentist or medical provider can provide the checkup—he or she will look for tooth decay and other that may occur in your baby’s mouth. If the dentist or medical provider finds cavities, the dentist can treat them. This will give your baby a healthy start.
Activity

Ask: Do you know where you’d like to take your baby for his first dental checkup?

If she answers YES:

Have her call to confirm that the dentist sees children or the medical provider conducts oral screenings. Make sure the provider accepts the type of insurance her child has.

If she answers NO:

Use the resource list to find a dentist for the baby or call the baby’s medical provider’s office and ask if they provide oral health checkups during well-child checks. If she uses a calendar to plan her time, add “schedule baby’s first dental visit” to the calendar on or around baby’s first birthday.

A. Sing the song “If You’re Happy and You Know It”

First verse:

If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands!

If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands!

If you’re happy and you know it then your face will surely show it,

If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands!

Second verse:

If you’re happy and you know it, smile big!

If you’re happy and you know it, smile big!

If you’re happy and you know it then your face will surely show it,

If you’re happy and you know it, smile big!

B. Read a book together

My Teeth” by Milestones Project, 2007

Closing
  • What questions do you have about taking your baby for his/her first checkup?
  • What might prevent you from scheduling that first appointment? What about keeping that first appointment? How can I support you in making and keeping baby’s first checkup?

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Activity Index

Going to the Dentist

Goal

Going to the Dentist

Big Bites: Things You Should Know
  • A dentist or medical provider checks teeth and applies fluoride varnish, takes x-rays, fixes cavities etc.
  • Everyone should have regular dental checkups; follow your program’s requirements for dental screenings, referrals, and checkup schedules
  • The dentist or a medical provider should check all children’s mouths by a child’s first tooth or first birthday
  • Young children may get fluoride varnish to strengthen teeth and help prevent cavities
  • Children and their parents may be nervous or fearful about going to the dentist
  • Families may need encouragement, support and information about why dental visits are necessary and important

 

CFK Throughout the Day

Throughout the Classroom
  • Decorate a bulletin board with pictures of dental tools children may see at a dentist office. Label them.
  • Hang a chart in the classroom called “I had a dental check-up.” Create a thermometer visual that you color in as children get their dental check-up.
  • Set up a pretend dental office for dramatic play.   
At Meals and Snacks
  • Ask:  Who’s been to the dentist?  What do you remember about the visit?
While Brushing Teeth
  • Be a role model.  Brush your teeth with the children to show you take care of your teeth too.
  • Talk about making tiny, tickly circles with a toothbrush to clean the food and germs away.
  • Give each child an “I brushed my teeth today” sticker to wear home Tell children the dentist will be so proud of them when he sees how well they have been brushing.
  • Have children pretend their brushes are like the special spinning toothbrush the dentist uses and make a humming noise while they brush.
During Transitions
  • When children are getting ready to go home, put a sticker on each child that says, “Today I learned about visiting the dentist!”

 

Activities for Early Learning