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What is a Pediatric Dentist?
Dr. Christensen is a specialist who has completed two years
of postdoctoral training to meet the unique dental needs of
infants, children, teens and patients with special needs. He
provides the most up-to-date and thorough treatment
available for a wide variety of dental problems.
Dr. Christensen is a specialist who has completed two years
of postdoctoral training to meet the unique dental needs of
infants, children, teens and patients with special needs. He
provides the most up-to-date and thorough treatment
available for a wide variety of dental problems.
When parents or siblings share their past dental experiences with a child, they often create unnecessary fear
and anxiety. Years of experience has shown us that the greatest thing you can do to prepare your child for
their first visit is to simply expect them to do well!
The First Visit!
At what age should I start bringing my child to the dentist?
Dr. Christensen and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry believe that the first dental examination for
your child should be around age one, or after the eruption of the first tooth.
and anxiety. Years of experience has shown us that the greatest thing you can do to prepare your child for
their first visit is to simply expect them to do well!
The First Visit!
At what age should I start bringing my child to the dentist?
Dr. Christensen and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry believe that the first dental examination for
your child should be around age one, or after the eruption of the first tooth.
Before the First Visit
Please discuss the positive aspects of dentistry with your child. Convey good
feelings to your child about dental visits being a part of growing up. You can
explain that Dr. John will look at and count all their teeth.
Explain to your child that Dr. John will be gentle and friendly. Please do not tell
your children the dentist will not hurt, as this thought may have never entered
their minds. Please do not use words such as needle, shots, drill or other words
suggesting unpleasantness. Dental treatment and materials have improved over
the years, making most dental procedures pain free.
Please discuss the positive aspects of dentistry with your child. Convey good
feelings to your child about dental visits being a part of growing up. You can
explain that Dr. John will look at and count all their teeth.
Explain to your child that Dr. John will be gentle and friendly. Please do not tell
your children the dentist will not hurt, as this thought may have never entered
their minds. Please do not use words such as needle, shots, drill or other words
suggesting unpleasantness. Dental treatment and materials have improved over
the years, making most dental procedures pain free.
| Dr. John's Office Pediatric Dentistry |
| JOHN R. CHRISTENSEN, DDS, MS, MS, PA 121 W. Woodcroft Parkway * Durham, NC 27713 * Fax (919) 489-2892 * Phone (919) 489-1543 |
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What procedures will be performed at the first visit?
At this initial appointment, you and your child will be introduced to our dental team. When you arrive in the
treatment area, our staff will review your child's health history with you and your child will pick out a new
toothbrush. We will offer your child sunglasses to keep the bright exam light out of their eyes. Before any
treatment is performed, our clinical staff will explain and show them how all of our special dental tools work
and how our dental chair reclines.
Our staff will discuss preventive issues with you, such as oral hygiene instructions, toothpaste use, fluoride
exposure and diet and nutrition recommendations. Patients receive a "Report Card" at each exam
appointment explaining what treatment was performed, their oral hygiene score (1-10) and recommendations
for home care. Any procedures that need to be completed at a future visit will be explained, along with the
treatment fee.
Dr. Christensen will perform a head and neck examination and evaluate the health of your child's teeth and
gums. Dr. Christensen will often tell young patients that he is "counting" their teeth while he performs his exam.
At this initial appointment, you and your child will be introduced to our dental team. When you arrive in the
treatment area, our staff will review your child's health history with you and your child will pick out a new
toothbrush. We will offer your child sunglasses to keep the bright exam light out of their eyes. Before any
treatment is performed, our clinical staff will explain and show them how all of our special dental tools work
and how our dental chair reclines.
Our staff will discuss preventive issues with you, such as oral hygiene instructions, toothpaste use, fluoride
exposure and diet and nutrition recommendations. Patients receive a "Report Card" at each exam
appointment explaining what treatment was performed, their oral hygiene score (1-10) and recommendations
for home care. Any procedures that need to be completed at a future visit will be explained, along with the
treatment fee.
Dr. Christensen will perform a head and neck examination and evaluate the health of your child's teeth and
gums. Dr. Christensen will often tell young patients that he is "counting" their teeth while he performs his exam.
Dr. John's No Cavity Club!
Your child will leave with a new toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, stickers and a toy
from our toy closet. If your child does not have cavities, they will become a member of
your child does have decay, they will receive their "No Cavity Club" button once their
cavities have been "fixed."
Our Goal
Our goal is for your child to have a positive experience during this initial visit. We want your child to leave our
practice with healthy teeth along with a positive attitude towards dental care. We emphasize the prevention of
disease rather than wait for it to occur. The prevention of dental disease is a team effort and includes your
involvement and commitment here at our office and at home.
Your child will leave with a new toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, stickers and a toy
from our toy closet. If your child does not have cavities, they will become a member of
your child does have decay, they will receive their "No Cavity Club" button once their
cavities have been "fixed."
Our Goal
Our goal is for your child to have a positive experience during this initial visit. We want your child to leave our
practice with healthy teeth along with a positive attitude towards dental care. We emphasize the prevention of
disease rather than wait for it to occur. The prevention of dental disease is a team effort and includes your
involvement and commitment here at our office and at home.
Will I stay with my child throughout the appointment?
Parents are welcome to accompany their child into the treatment area
during their examinations. This gives you an opportunity to see our staff
treatment needs directly with you. We also have a comfortable bench
with magazines in the clinical area where parents often choose to sit.
Depending on the age of your child, you may feel that they will have a
better experience if you wait in the reception area. Our staff will ask you
to come to the treatment area at the end of the appointment to review
what was done and go over home care recommendations.
Parents are welcome to accompany their child into the treatment area
during their examinations. This gives you an opportunity to see our staff
treatment needs directly with you. We also have a comfortable bench
with magazines in the clinical area where parents often choose to sit.
Depending on the age of your child, you may feel that they will have a
better experience if you wait in the reception area. Our staff will ask you
to come to the treatment area at the end of the appointment to review
what was done and go over home care recommendations.
One note of advice, your child's appointment will be enhanced if you assume the role of an observer. If more
than one person is talking, your child may become confused. Cooperation and trust is best established
directly between Dr. Christensen, our staff and your child. Dr. Christensen and our clinical staff have years of
experience and training to work specifically with children. With your help and cooperation, we are confidant
than one person is talking, your child may become confused. Cooperation and trust is best established
directly between Dr. Christensen, our staff and your child. Dr. Christensen and our clinical staff have years of
experience and training to work specifically with children. With your help and cooperation, we are confidant
