At what age to take DC to dentist?

[rrreow]

DS is 11 months and has 6 teeth. I am aware the NHS literature says you should take them as soon as they have their first tooth (?). However, my dentist (private, but they see kids for free) says DS is too young as they don't see kids in their surgery until they're about 3 years old.

Is there any harm in waiting till he's 3 or should I take DS to another dentist?

Will your dentist not let him get used to coming with you, sitting in the chair and opening his mouth for inspection?
Its highly unlikely that he'd need treatment so the practice won't need to 'register' him, but its good practice for the future.

Mine (3 and 4) have always come with me, and they've been working up to getting in the chair and letting the dentist actually take a look (think it took about 3 visits so a year and a half!) I book an appt for all three of us so they have time to faff with the kids but I don't pay anything, although we're with the NHS. If they won't see him till he's 3 I'd take him along every time anyway and you could big it up that when he's a big boy he can have a go in the chair (or something).

Mine were both registered with the nhs from birth. Both had exams since six months. Ds1 at 5.5 and with sn finally let the dentist examine him this week after more than ten visits. Ds2 had decay in two teeth at the age of three that needed filing (lactose intollerance, had sweetened Soya milk that rotted his teeth)

Personally at eleven months and six months I'd be at the very least taking him with.me and getting the dentist to check him whilst having my own appointment.

Eleven months and six teeth. I need my bed.

We went for the first time when DD1 was 4 and DD2 was 3. NHS dentists around here won't see them before they're 3.

Mine have always come with me, from being babies in the pushchair. As soon as they had teeth, they'd sit on my lap in the chair and the dentist would just get them to open their mouths and show him but he wouldn't touch or use any instruments. They had their first proper examinations sitting on my lap, then progressed to sitting in the chair on their own. They both have no fear of the dentist (and very good teeth!).

I took all of mine to the dentist from being really tiny, not to have their teeth looked at, but just to get them used to going, they were about 1 when they had their 1st examination, mine is nhs

As others say - they don't need an official appt, but it's worth taking them along with you and getting used to the whole sensory experience. Our dentist let all of mine have a sit in the chair and open their mouths while he looked inside then they got a sticker. Makes it easier for him long term if the dcs are used to going and know there's nothing to be worried about.

Mine all came with me from birth too, and had their first 'proper' appointments once they turned 2. DDs (8&6) were happy enough to be examined, but DS has just had his second appointment and still won't let the dentist have a look! :o

I asked my dentist (nhs) recently when to bring ds. He asked how many teeth ds had, how often we brush and if we have any trouble with that (8 teeth, twice a day and no trouble), and said to bring him at 18 months. Seems to vary from practice to practice.

My OLD dentist told me exactly the same op and as a result my son who's now 7 is absolutely pretified of the dentists. Lesson learnt is my 13mth dd has been to the dentist already with only 2 teeth so def book an appt

Agree with stranded

Visits when they are very young don't involve much - it is more to get them used to the experience to start with but you need that by the time an actual proper examination is needed.

tis sadly very true stranded, I've taken ds twice now (14 months) but only when I've been there for an appt. The dentist didn't do anything except ask about fruit juice and brushing. She said she wouldn't need to 'do' anything until he's about 2 but to keep bringing him along to get used to the environment.

It was good for me as I HATE going to the dentist's but it's forced me to present it as a pleasurable experience

Thanks for all the input! I'll definitely take him with me to the dentist next time even if he won't have an actual 'appointment' for himself. We brush twice a day which goes reasonably well I think (DS will usually let me brush for about 10-20 seconds and then he 'brushes' his own teeth for a while afterwards i.e. chews on the brush).

lol; I am a dentist and have seen kids as young as 12 weeks; also of not NHS dentists ( not me anymore) can get paid for examining a child however old; so they probably will be keen to see you as soon as; unless they have a child phobia!

Get 'em in as early as possible in my opinion; preferably primed that they will get a sticker if they open their mouth. x