Red Desert Dental sees children and teenagers in St. George, Utah for first visits, cleanings, fluoride, sealants, and sports guards. Parents are welcome to sit right alongside the chair, and nothing is done to a child who has not been told what is about to happen.
What happens at a child’s first dental visit
A first visit is mostly introduction. Your child sits in the chair, sees the light and the little mirror, and has their teeth counted. If they are comfortable, we clean and polish. If they are not, we stop there and try again next time, and that is a completely normal outcome rather than a failed appointment.
We describe every instrument before it is used, in words a child actually knows. Nobody is held down in this office.
What age should a child first see a dentist
Around the first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth appearing. Early visits are short and cheap and are mostly about making the chair boring rather than frightening, which pays off for the next twenty years.
Fluoride, sealants, and sports guards
Fluoride varnish and sealants are the two preventive treatments that matter most for children, because they protect the chewing surfaces where decay usually starts. Custom sports guards are made for kids and teens playing contact sports, and a guard that fits properly is the one that actually gets worn.
Bringing a nervous child
Tell us before the appointment rather than in the chair, so we can book more time and start slower. We have written up the approach in full in bringing a nervous kid to the dentist. The short version: describe things honestly, hand them some control, and stop when they ask.
What it costs
Preventive visits for children are covered at or close to full coverage on most dental plans, and Utah CHIP and Medicaid cover children’s dental care. We check your coverage before the appointment and tell you what to expect. If we cannot verify it that day, we quote the full amount up front.
Frequently asked questions
What age should my child first see a dentist?
Around their first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth coming in. The first visits are short and are mainly about making the dental chair familiar.
Can I stay with my child during the appointment?
Yes. Parents are welcome to sit right alongside the chair for the whole visit. For many children that is the difference between a good first appointment and a bad one.
Do you make mouthguards for school sports?
Yes. We make custom sports guards for kids and teens. A custom guard fits better than a boil-and-bite from the sports shop, which means it gets worn instead of left in a bag.
Red Desert Dental is on Canyon Rim Road in St. George, Utah, and we see families from across Washington County, including Washington, Santa Clara, Ivins, and Hurricane. Book a visit or call and describe what is going on; we will tell you what it usually takes before you come in.