Office Visits

When should my child see the dentist?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends establishing a "dental home" by your child's first birthday!  We would recommend starting at age 1, but we can also start new patients ages 1-3.  We can start children as new patients after age 3 if we receive a referral from their physician's office stating that they would do best at a pediatric dentist.

 

Change takes time

• We want the best results for your child! 
• Best results come when families stay with us for routine care and treatment needs (i.e. routine exams, cleanings, xrays, fluoride application, restorative needs). 
  • This helps us to spot potential problems, help develop dental skills and knowledge to ensure the best possible dental health in later years. 

We treat the child not the tooth

• As pediatric specialists, we put the focus on your child. 
• We evaluate growth, behavior, tooth health, diet, home care, and your unique concerns at each visit. 
• We give you the best information to address specific needs and to achieve a healthy adult-tooth smile.

If all of this seems like a good fit for your family, we would love to get you scheduled with our office! Give us a call at (260) 490-5437 to schedule.

 

 

 

Preparing for your child's first visit

• At the first visit, our goal is to evaluate your child’s needs and come up with a game plan together.
• We tailor your child's first visit based on age, dental skills and comfort level. 
  • For example, infants and young children often do better in a parent's lap, whereas older children may be able to independently sit in the dental chair for their care.   

Preparing for your child's treatment visit

• Dr. Ludwig and his staff will explain everything in easy to understand language based on your child's age.
  • We use words like "counting teeth", "ice cream water" or "sleepy juice", "sugar bugs" and "Mr. Thirsty".
  • Our intention is not to "fool" your child, but rather to create an interactive experience with dental treatment through positive reinforcement.
• We get our best results when parents are silent observers who are confident and supportive.