Your child should see a dentist by their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth appearing. The first visit is short, gentle, and mostly about getting your child comfortable – the dentist counts and examines the teeth, checks development, offers a gentle cleaning if appropriate, and talks with you about brushing, diet, and habits. Starting early prevents problems, catches issues when they’re small, and helps your child grow up seeing the dentist as a friendly, normal part of life rather than something to fear.

The answer, based on patient experiences and clinical standards, comes down to several things that aren’t always obvious from a website but that become immediately apparent during a visit.