Examining a child at a young age is an opportunity for parents to receive information from their pediatric dentist regarding important issues about their child’s health such as: 

• Oral hygiene
• Dietary habits
• Sucking habits that are non-nutritive and dangerous
• Decay risks based on multiple factors including family history
• Dental injuries

We also can often detect issues in early development that can cause other serious problems later.


Our office of pediatric dentistry encourages you to bring you child in for his or her first visit by one year of age. This recommendation is in keeping with those of the American Dentist Association (ADA), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD).

Care provided by a specialized pediatric dentist is the ideal alternative to emergency room care when your child experiences dental issues.

Parents should try to make the child’s first visit to see Dr. Kim as enjoyable as possible. It will lay the ground for happy visits to the pediatric dentist in the future. If your child is old enough to understand, feel free to tell them about the visit ahead of time. Dr. Kim and his staff will explain what will happen and answer all of their questions at the appointment. The less you're involved with the visit, the better. This helps a child not to get overly worried or frightened. Refrain from using words such as “drill,” “shot,” “needle,” “pull,” and especially “hurt,” so as not to cause unnecessary nervousness. Our team has made it a standard to use words that are more pleasant and non-“scary” to the children while simply conveying what is going to happen.

You are more than welcome to stay with your child during the first pediatric dentistry examination. This is a great first step for children. However, during future appointments we suggest you allow our pediatric staff to walk them through the dental experience. Not only is it a great second step; it's much easier to create an open communication line when you're not present.

Dr. Kim’s goal is to gain your child's trust and make him or her feel comfortable at each visit to prevent a fear of coming back.

Depending on your preferences, you may choose to come back with your child a few more times or every time. If that's the case, please remember for the safety and privacy of our other patients, children who are not being treated should be kept in the reception area under the supervision of an adult.

Dr. Kim and his team of pediatric dentistry specialists are currently welcoming new patients.