New Pediatric Dental Patient Information Chicago
A Garden Where Young Smiles Thrive
Whether you choose to visit Growing Smiles in Chicago or Frankfort, you can trust that you and your child will be looked after by a friendly team that loves children and is being led by a board-certified pediatric dentist. We know that choosing a dental home for your child is a big decision, so below, we’ve included information that should answer many of your basic questions ahead of their initial appointment. If there is anything you’d like to ask or make sure our team knows, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
Your Child’s First Visit
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that your child should visit the dentist by their first birthday. This visit is very important, as you, your child, and our dentists begin working together in Chicago to build healthy dental habits that will last a lifetime! Our goal is to create a trusting relationship with your child that will last for years in a comfortable environment. Visit our children’s dentistry page to learn what you can do to help make their first experience a positive one.
The typical infant oral health exam (occurring around the age of one) provides valuable information about how to take care of your baby's teeth, how to keep them healthy and cavity-free, and how to assess normal dental development. At this first visit, we will perform an exam to evaluate your child's dental growth, complete a cleaning, and apply topical fluoride treatment. We will also review proper brushing and flossing instructions, as well as bottle/sippy cup use, oral habits, and nutrition.
Older children will also have an enjoyable first dental visit! We will use a "Tell-Show-Do" technique to allow your child to see, touch, and understand every object they will come in contact with during this visit. Our staff uses age-appropriate language that will help your child grasp dental concepts. Your child will have an oral exam, receive X-rays if needed, and have a dental cleaning with fluoride treatment.
We work hard to reinforce positive behaviors and create an overall fun first experience.
Parents will receive nutritional, diet, and habit counseling, as well as home care instructions customized for each child's oral hygiene needs. We will allow enough time to ensure that all concerns from both parent and child have been addressed.
How Can I Prepare My Child For Their Visit?
- If they have an older sibling, bring them along to their next checkup! Your child can see the office, meet our team, and feel at ease as they watch a loved one go through the process.
- If your child is old enough, ask them to play “dentist” with you. Look inside their mouth with a little light, and then have them do the same to you. Praise them for doing a good job!
- Always use positive language when discussing their upcoming dental appointment, and show off lots of smiles! Children are likely to reflect the attitude that their parent shows.
- Does your child have a favorite toy or blanket that gives them comfort? Bring it along to help them feel more relaxed.
Above all else, our goal is to monitor and preserve your child’s dental health throughout the years, forming a trusting and friendly relationship with both them and you (the parent) that provides plenty of new reasons to smile!
Patient Forms
Please take a minute to print and fill out our new patient forms before your first appointment:
- Welcome Letter
- Financial Policy
- HIPAA
- Informed Consent
- Patient Information
- Health History
- Credit Card Authorization
Our Appointment Policy
Children tend to do better in the dental office when they are not tired. Therefore, we encourage morning appointments, especially for children who are preschool-aged or overly nervous. One of our goals is to provide dentistry that is as pleasant as possible for your child, and appropriate scheduling may help us achieve this goal. Also, keep in mind that a dental appointment is an excused absence from school.
When we schedule an appointment, that time is reserved solely for your child and we make every effort to see them right on time. For this reason, we ask that you arrive a few minutes before your scheduled time. We also require a 24-hour notice for cancellations. We need this amount of time so that we may contact a child from our waiting list who needs an appointment. If we do not receive a 24-hour notice, we reserve the right to charge your account a broken appointment fee.
Dental Insurance
Growing Smiles is in-network with Delta Dental Premier, and we’re able to accept and file claims for all other PPO dental insurance plans as well. When using your insurance to help pay for your child’s dental care, we ask that you keep the following in mind…
The insurance company you are contracted with has a relationship with you. While we are happy to help with filing your claim and handling insurance questions on your behalf, you are responsible for monitoring the progress of payment. If you have not received payment from your insurance company one month after your visit, we recommend you call the company and inquire about the submitted claim. Please keep in mind that we do not work with or for any insurance company. Our responsibility is to you and your child, and accountability for timely payment is placed upon the patients we serve. We thank you for your understanding in this matter.
CareCredit Financing
Whether you don’t have insurance, or your child requires a treatment that won’t be covered, CareCredit can help you get the necessary care and pay over time, often with little to no interest. Just click the button below to explore your options and select a plan that will help their care fit easily into your budget.
