Open Tuesday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Your child's first dental visit shouldn't feel like a procedure. It should feel like meeting someone new. First visits at Two Rivers Dental Group are short, calm, and built around what young kids actually need: time to look around, a chance to climb in the chair without anything happening, and a dentist who explains everything before he does anything. Dr. Matthew Collins is a father of two, and he treats every first visit the way he'd want his own kids treated.
Short on purpose. Young kids do better with short, positive visits than long, exhausting ones.
For kids under 3, we focus on a quick visual check, a chance to ride the chair, and parent education.
Parents are welcome in the room throughout. Most toddlers do best sitting in your lap on the chair.
A first dental visit for a young child is different from an adult appointment. Here's exactly what to expect, so there are no surprises.
Here's exactly how a first visit unfolds, from walking through the front door to leaving with a sticker.
You and your child are greeted by name. We've already prepared the chair, gathered the right tools, and made sure the room is calm and unrushed.
Your child gets to see the chair, the light, and the small mirror tool before anything happens. We let them touch what's safe and explain what each thing does.
Most toddlers sit in your lap with their head resting back toward Dr. Collins. He counts the teeth, looks at gum health, and checks how the bite is developing. No tools beyond a small mirror unless needed.
Dr. Collins talks through what he saw, what to watch for, and how to handle brushing, snacks, and pacifiers at home. He'll also cover what comes next as teeth come in, like fluoride treatments and, later, dental sealants for the back molars.
Your child gets to pick a sticker or small toy. We schedule the next visit, usually six months out, when many kids are ready for their first kids' dental cleaning. You walk out with a positive first dental experience in the books.
A little prep at home goes a long way. Here's what to bring and how to set the right tone with your child before you arrive.
If you have dental insurance, we'll process it the same as any other visit. Details on our patient resources page.
A favorite stuffed animal or small blanket helps a lot for younger kids.
Schedule the visit between meals so your child isn't hungry or tired.
It's okay if your child cries or refuses. We're prepared for both.
Say "the dentist counts your teeth" instead of "you're getting a checkup."
Avoid words like "shot," "hurt," "drill," or "needle" entirely.
A few children's books about visiting the dentist help build excitement.
Don't say "it won't hurt." Say "the dentist will be gentle and we'll be right there."
Things he's learned from raising his own two kids and caring for young patients every week. Read more about Dr. Collins and the team.
Morning visits work best for most toddlers. They're rested, fed, and not approaching nap time. Avoid scheduling right before bedtime or right after a long day at daycare.
The more casually you talk about it, the more casually they'll experience it. Mention it like you'd mention any other appointment. Kids pick up on parent anxiety quickly.
If you have an older child who's already comfortable with the dentist, bring them along. Watching a sibling sit calmly in the chair is the best confidence-builder there is.
Sometimes kids cry. Sometimes they refuse to open. Sometimes the visit is 5 minutes long because that's all they could handle. We'd rather have a short positive visit than a long stressful one.
Two Rivers Dental Group welcomes first-visit families from Springfield and the surrounding Lane County communities. First visits are the starting point of our kids dentistry care, and parents can line up their own checkup through our family dentistry services in the same trip. Our office at 1717 Centennial Blvd, Suite #3 is open Tuesday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Call 541-287-7874 to schedule your child's first visit.
Plan for 15 to 30 minutes total. First dental visits are short on purpose, because young kids do far better with a brief, positive experience than a long, exhausting one. Sometimes it's five minutes, and that's a win too.
That's completely normal and we're prepared for it. We never force an exam. If your child isn't ready, we keep the visit short and positive and try again next time. Building trust over a few visits beats one stressful appointment every time.
Yes, parents are welcome in the room the whole time. Most toddlers actually do best sitting in your lap on the chair, with their head resting back toward Dr. Collins for the quick look.
For kids under three, the first dental visit is usually a gentle visual check rather than a full cleaning. Older first-timers at our Springfield office often get a soft cleaning if they're comfortable. Either way, we follow your child's lead.
Schedule a calm, kid-friendly first appointment at our Springfield office. We'll handle the rest.
541-287-7874