Kids Dentistry

Bring your child in by their first birthday, or as soon as the first tooth appears, whichever comes sooner. Starting that early keeps visits familiar instead of frightening, lets us catch problems while they are small, and gives you a chance to ask about brushing, thumb-sucking, and diet. Children who start young tend to stay more enthusiastic about their teeth.

What you pay depends on your plan and what the visit includes, since a first checkup and cleaning is different from a filling or sealants. Most major PPO plans cover preventive care for children at a high rate. We verify benefits before the appointment and give you a written estimate for anything beyond the exam. Call (310) 855-2434 to check yours.

Plan on about 30 to 45 minutes for a routine visit. Much of that is spent helping your child feel comfortable, showing them the tools, cleaning and checking the teeth, and then talking with you about home care. First visits for toddlers are often shorter. We never rush a child who needs a few extra minutes to settle in.

Keep it simple and positive. Skip the scary details, use friendly language like cleaning away sugar bugs, and avoid promising treats, which can actually raise nerves. Frame the visit as something everyone does to stay healthy rather than optional. Playing dentist at home beforehand helps a lot. Our team explains everything in kid-friendly words once you arrive.

Tell us before the appointment so we can plan for it. Our team slows down, explains each step in words a child understands, and answers questions as they come up, which takes most of the fear out of the room. Families across West Hollywood bring us anxious kids and teens, and a calm first visit usually changes how they feel about dentistry.