Patient Info

Your Childs First Visit to Our Office

We are often asked when is the best time for a child to see the dentist for the first time. We love to see children before problems arise, when we can still start them on a path to be cavity free. In the state of California 50% of all kids entering kindergarten already have at least one cavity or filling, and it goes up to 66% by third grade. We don’t want our patients to suffer early childhood cavities.

We agree with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatrics in recommending a first visit to the dentist when the child gets their first tooth or by their first birthday.

Your child’s first visit will hopefully teach you and your family many vital things so that they may grow up cavity free and have a positive dental outlook.

During Your First Visit

Some of the things we will help you with, during your first visit.

Recommendations for a healthy diet
Instructions on how to keep your child’s mouth clean and healthy
Guidance on the use of fluoride in children
Trauma prevention and treatment
Tips on teething and sucking habits (thumbs/pacifiers/fingers)

If you have any questions about this information, please contact our office to request an appointment, talk with our office staff, or send us a question via email.

Before The Visit

We look forward to guiding your family through their early experiences in dentistry.

Please give us the best opportunity to start your child’s experiences off in the most beneficial way by talking to them about their upcoming visit in a very positive manner.

When we talk to your child about their exam we will use words that are comforting to them such as:

“Tooth Counter” for our explorer
“Flashlight” for our dental mirror and light
“Pictures” for any needed xrays
“Toothbrush” for the cleaning instruments

If you can help us by using positive words about the visit we would really appreciate it. Please avoid using words with a negative connotation such as needle, drill, shot, pull, hurt or similar. Children a very impressionable, and the language you present to them about their visit will go a long way in determining if we will have a successful appointment.

Thank you!
Welcome to Our Office

New Patient Forms

Below are links to important forms you may need to fill out. Please open the form you want to fill out, print and fill it out. When you have finished, bring the completed form with you, or fax it to (858) 452-0657.

Dr Dixon Pediatric Dentistry
5627 Oberlin Dr. Suite #100
San Diego, CA 92121

- New Patient Form - Welcome to Our Office

- New Patient Form - HIPAA Forms

- New Patient Form - Consent to Treat Minor Form

- New Patient Form - Health History Form

"We are committed to providing the highest quality pediatric dental care to patients from infancy through their teens"

Emergency Info

In case of an emergency, call our office as soon as possible if you break or loosen any of your appliances. Please do not come directly to the office – by calling us, you will allow us to create a time to see you. Even if you have a regular appointment scheduled, call us immediately to notify us if you need an appliance repaired.

Q: What to do in an Emergency

When your child needs urgent dental treatment, we are on call, (858) 452-7272, and prepared to help you. Please keep our office number available, and contact us should a dental emergency arise. Most importantly, if your child shows any signs of altered or loss of consciousness as a result of a head trauma, contact your pediatrician immediately or go to a hospital’s emergency room.

Q: What should I do if my child's baby tooth is knocked out?

Contact our office as soon as possible. While knocked out baby teeth are rarely placed back in the mouth, it is important to examine your child to be sure no fragments of tooth are embedded in the gums, lip or tongue, as well as determine the extent of trauma to other teeth in the area.

Q: What should I do if my child's permanent tooth is knocked out?

Find the tooth! Hold the tooth by the crown (top) and rinse it gently using only cool water. (Do not scrub it or clean it with soap — use just water) If possible, replace the tooth in the socket and hold it there with clean gauze or a wash cloth (remember, the smooth side of the crown always faces out). If you can’t put the tooth back in the socket, place the tooth in a clean container with milk or water. Come to our office immediately. (Call our emergency number if it’s after hours.) The faster you act, the better your chances of saving the tooth.

Q: What if a tooth is chipped or fractured?

Contact our office promptly, and our doctor on call will determine if the fracture requires immediate attention. If necessary, quick action can save the tooth, prevent infection and reduce the need for extensive dental treatment. Rinse out your child’s mouth with room temperature water and apply cold compresses to reduce swelling. If you can find the broken tooth fragment, bring it with you to our office.

Q: What about a severe blow to the head or jaw fracture?

Go to the emergency room of your local hospital immediately. A blow to the head can be life threatening.

Q: What if my child has a toothache?

Call your pediatric dentist and visit the office promptly. To comfort your child, rinse the mouth with room temperature salt water. Apply a cold compress or ice wrapped in a cloth. Do not put heat or aspirin on the sore area. We may suggest using over the counter pain medications to keep your child comfortable until they can be seen in our office.

Q: Can dental injuries be prevented?

Yes. First, reduce oral injury in sports and recreation activities by having your child wear a helmet and/or mouth guard when warranted. Second, always use a car seat for young children. Require seat belts for everyone else in the car. Third, child-proof your home to prevent falls, electrical injuries, and choking on small objects. Fourth, protect your child from unnecessary toothaches with regular dental visits and preventive care.

Q: When is a tooth falling out not an emergency?

When the tooth is exfoliating (being pushed out by the permanent tooth). Teeth naturally fall out as their roots are resorbed away by an erupting permanent tooth. This process can cause the baby tooth to change color and get extremely loose. Loose teeth are often uncomfortable to brush or eat with. Though not an emergency, if your child is uncomfortable with a loose tooth, you can make and appointment and bring them in to be checked.