If you’re a parent on Kingsway, in the towers around Highgate Village, or in one of the family homes off Middlegate, you’ve probably wondered the same thing every parent does: When should I bring my child to the dentist for the first time — and how do I keep it from being a meltdown?
At Burnaby South Dental, our Highgate family clinic at 6975 Kingsway, we see new little faces almost every week. Some are bubbly, some are shy, a few are unsure — and almost all of them leave smiling. The secret isn’t magic. It’s timing the visit right, knowing what to expect, and choosing a dentist who actually enjoys treating kids.
This guide walks through the right age for a first dental visit, what we actually do (and don’t do) on day one, how to prepare your child the night before, what it costs in Burnaby, and how the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) can make pediatric care free for many families. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to book a confident first visit for your child — without the dread.
When should my child see the dentist for the first time?
The Canadian Dental Association recommends a child’s first dental visit happen either within six months of their first tooth coming in, or by their first birthday — whichever comes first.
We know that sounds early. Many parents are surprised — “But she barely has any teeth!” That’s exactly the point. The first visit isn’t about cavities or cleanings. It’s about three things:
- Catching problems before they grow. Decay can start the moment the first tooth appears. We can spot the earliest signs in seconds.
- Teaching parents the right routine. Brushing tiny teeth, what kind of toothpaste, fluoride or no fluoride, how to handle bottles and sippy cups, what to do about thumb-sucking — these are easier when we walk you through it with your child in front of us.
- Making the dentist feel safe and normal. Kids who meet a dentist early — before there’s anything wrong — grow up without dental anxiety. That’s a gift that lasts a lifetime.
If your child is already past 12 months and hasn’t been seen yet, don’t worry. The next-best time is right now. Most of our Highgate and Middlegate families bring their kids in between ages 1 and 3 for their first appointment, and we welcome older first-timers all the time.
What actually happens at the first visit?
Parents are almost always relieved by how gentle the first visit is. Here’s what a typical “happy visit” looks like at our Burnaby clinic:
Step 1 — Hello, and a quick tour (5 minutes)
We meet your child in the waiting area, show them the chair (some kids love how it moves up and down), and let them touch the little mirror and the suction tool. We explain everything in kid words — the mirror is “the tooth mirror,” the suction is “Mr. Thirsty,” and our overhead light is “the sun.”
Step 2 — A “knee-to-knee” exam for babies & toddlers (5–10 minutes)
For children under three, we usually do a knee-to-knee exam: you sit facing the dentist, your child lies back with their head in our lap, and we gently check their teeth and gums for 60–90 seconds. It’s the gold-standard approach for little ones — they can see you the whole time, and it’s over quickly. For older kids, we let them ride the big chair like a grown-up.
Step 3 — Counting teeth & a gentle clean (5 minutes)
We count their teeth out loud (most kids find this hilarious), check the gums, and do a soft polish with a flavoured paste if they’re ready. We never force a cleaning on a child’s first visit — if they’re nervous, we keep it short and reschedule the full clean for next time.
Step 4 — Coaching for parents (5–10 minutes)
This is the part many parents say they value most. We talk through:
- How to brush teeth at different ages (and when to start flossing)
- Bottle, sippy cup, and breast/bottle-feeding habits that can cause decay
- Pacifiers and thumb-sucking — what’s normal, what to watch for
- Fluoride: how much, when to start toothpaste, and what’s safe to swallow
- Healthy snacks and drinks for teeth
- How to handle a chipped baby tooth at the playground (it happens!)
Step 5 — A high-five, a sticker, and a follow-up plan
Most kids leave with a small toy, a new toothbrush, and a sense of accomplishment. We book the next visit (usually six months later) and send you home with a one-page summary.
Total time in the office: about 30 minutes. Total chair time for your child: usually under 10 minutes.
How to prepare your child the night before
The single biggest predictor of a happy first visit is the words parents use leading up to it. A few simple do’s and don’ts:
Do:
- Use positive, simple language — “We’re going to meet a dentist who helps keep your teeth strong and shiny.”
- Read a picture book about going to the dentist a few days before. Daniel Tiger Goes to the Dentist, The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist, and Peppa Pig: Dentist Trip are all favourites at our clinic.
- Schedule the appointment for morning, after a nap and a small breakfast — never right at naptime or when they’re hungry.
- Bring a comfort item — a stuffed toy, a favourite blanket, a pacifier for the little ones.
- Practice “opening big” in the mirror at home like it’s a fun game.
Don’t:
- Use words like needle, hurt, drill, pain, shot, or be brave — even to reassure them. (“Don’t worry, it won’t hurt!” makes kids wonder why it might.)
- Tell stories about your own bad dental experiences. Kids absorb anxiety like sponges.
- Promise rewards in a way that suggests the visit will be hard. Better: “After we meet the dentist, we’ll go for a walk through Highgate Village.”
What it costs — and how the CDCP helps Burnaby families
A first dental visit for a child in British Columbia generally includes a limited exam, a small set of digital X-rays (only if needed and only for older children), and a gentle cleaning if your child is ready. Total cost falls in the range of $120–$250 at most Burnaby clinics, depending on what’s done.
Here’s the good news for Burnaby and Highgate families:
Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)
The CDCP covers many essential dental services for children under 18 in eligible households. That includes:
- Basic exams and X-rays
- Cleanings and fluoride
- Fillings (including tooth-coloured)
- Extractions
- Sealants on adult molars
- Treatment of dental pain and infection
If your household income is under the eligibility threshold (currently $90,000 CAD for the 2024–2025 enrolment year), your child’s routine dental care may be fully covered with no co-pay. Burnaby South Dental is a registered CDCP provider and we’ll help you check eligibility, register, and submit claims directly — no paperwork on your end. Learn more about CDCP here.
Extended insurance
Most extended health plans (Pacific Blue Cross, Manulife, Sun Life, Canada Life, Green Shield, etc.) cover children’s preventive dentistry at 80–100%. We direct-bill most plans so you only pay what your plan doesn’t cover.
Why families across Highgate and Middlegate choose us
We’re one of the most family-focused dental clinics in South Burnaby, and our location makes the visit easy:
- A five-minute walk from Highgate Village — perfect for a quick stroll afterward.
- Steps from Edmonds SkyTrain Station — easy if you’re car-free.
- Free parking behind the building.
- Open until 5:00pm Monday through Saturday — Saturdays are popular with school-age families.
- All four of our dentists — Dr. Asmerett Padernos, Dr. Rania Ataia, Dr. Grace Beloy, and Dr. Cesar Beloy — are experienced with kids.
- A calm, no-rush environment — we book longer time slots for first visits so we’re never hurrying your child.
- A familiar face — most kids see the same dentist every visit, which builds trust over the years.
You can read more about our team on the About Us page, or just call us and we’ll match your child with the dentist who feels right. Looking for the full picture of what we offer kids? See our pediatric dentistry and preventative dentistry pages.
Common questions Burnaby parents ask us
My child has only two teeth — is that too early?
Not at all. The first tooth is the perfect time to come. The visit is mostly about you (the parent) learning the routine, plus letting your child meet us.
My child has a chipped or cracked baby tooth — what do I do?
Call us right away at (604) 540-6000. We’ll see kids same-day for any dental emergency. Even baby teeth matter — they hold space for adult teeth and affect speech development. See our dental emergency guide for what to do in the first 30 minutes.
Should my child use fluoride toothpaste?
The Canadian Dental Association recommends a rice-grain–sized smear of fluoride toothpaste from the moment the first tooth appears, and a pea-sized amount from age 3 onward. We’ll show you exactly what that looks like at your visit.
My child has dental anxiety. Can you help?
Yes. We use a “tell-show-do” approach, take frequent breaks, and never rush. For children with more significant anxiety, we offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) sedation in a kid-safe dose. We also have a separate post on dental anxiety if you’d like to learn more.
My child sucks their thumb / uses a pacifier — when should they stop?
Most kids naturally outgrow these between ages 2 and 4. If the habit continues past age 4, we may recommend gentle interventions to protect the developing bite. We’ll talk through it at the visit — no judgment.
How often should my child come in after the first visit?
The same as adults — every six months for a check-up and cleaning. Catching small problems early is always cheaper and gentler than fixing big ones later.
Do you accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan?
Yes. Burnaby South Dental is a CDCP provider. Bring your CDCP confirmation letter (or, if you haven’t applied yet, your Notice of Assessment) and we’ll handle the rest.
Ready to book your child’s first smile visit?
A confident, lifelong relationship with the dentist starts with one good first visit. If your child is approaching their first birthday — or if they’re older and haven’t been yet — we’d love to be the dentist they remember as fun, kind, and easy to talk to.
📞 Call (604) 540-6000
📍 6975 Kingsway #2, Burnaby, BC V5E 1E5 (between Highgate Village and Middlegate)
🕐 Mon–Sat, 9:30am – 5:00pm
🦷 Book your child’s first visit online — new patients and CDCP families always welcome.
This blog is for general information only and is not a substitute for an exam by a licensed dentist. If your child is in pain or has had a dental injury, please contact us right away.
