Your child should 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 his staff will explain all procedures and answer any questions. The less to-do concerning the visit, the better.
It is best if you refrain from using words around your child that might cause unnecessary fear, such as needle, pull, drill or hurt. The office makes a practice of using words that convey the same message, but are pleasant and non-frightening to the child.
On the first visit, we usually "count the teeth" and perform a complete oral exam. Many times we will clean the teeth, apply a good tasting topical fluoride, and maybe even take x-rays. What is accomplished for each child depends on how easy the procedure is for the new "Little Helper".