First Visit And Assessment
A welcoming first appointment gives the team time to assess your child’s teeth and gums, explain findings and agree suitable next steps with you.
As a parent you need clear, practical information about what will happen at your child’s dental appointment and how any concerns will be managed. At Start Smiling we see babies, toddlers, school-age children and teenagers at our Ingatestone practice and we explain checks and options calmly in age-appropriate language. Appointments begin with a gentle examination to monitor tooth eruption, bite and gum health, and the dentist will discuss daily brushing, diet and teething guidance with you. If treatment may be considered we will explain suitability, risks and obtain parent or guardian consent before any care. We also offer advice to help children feel less anxious at the visit.
Our private children’s dentistry supports routine check-ups, personalised prevention and care planning for families from Stock at the Ingatestone practice. The dentist will monitor dental development, discuss home care and consider which preventive options may be appropriate for your child.
Recall intervals are tailored to each child’s needs rather than a fixed schedule; any proposed treatment and the associated costs will be discussed with you and confirmed before treatment begins.

How children’s dentistry can support your family
A welcoming first appointment gives the team time to assess your child’s teeth and gums, explain findings and agree suitable next steps with you.
Practical tips for soothing teething, cleaning emerging teeth and guidance on when to bring babies for a first check around the first tooth or first birthday.
Regular reviews monitor growth, spot early decay and allow the team to adjust prevention and recall timing to your child’s needs.
Advice on how to brush together, supervising young children and the recommended toothpaste amounts for different ages to reduce decay risk.
Clear, practical food and drink advice to reduce frequent sugar exposure, avoid prolonged sipping on sweetened drinks and protect developing teeth.
Steps to reduce anxiety include a slower-paced visit, simple preparation at home and staff time to build trust before any examination or treatment.
Support for growing independence, discussion about orthodontic questions, monitoring tooth development and advice for older children taking on their own oral care.
Clear guidance on immediate steps for tooth pain, swelling or knocked teeth and when to contact the practice for advice or an urgent assessment.
The team aims to explain appointments calmly and in language suited to your child’s age so families understand what will happen.
Parents and guardians are involved in decisions and consent is always discussed before any recommended treatment.
We focus on practical prevention including brushing technique and diet, and the dentist can discuss whether preventive options such as fluoride varnish or fissure sealants are appropriate.
Check-up intervals are recommended based on each child’s oral health, development and risk factors rather than a fixed six-month rule.
We allow time to build trust, offer slower visits and suggest practical steps parents can use at home to make appointments more comfortable.
Children’s dental appointments for families from Stock take place at our Ingatestone practice and the team will confirm practical details when you book.
Reception will greet you and your child, explain the visit briefly and check for any immediate concerns or special needs before you see the dentist.
The clinician will ask about routines, teething, brushing habits and any worries so the appointment suits your child’s needs and comfort.
A careful, child-friendly check of teeth, gums and oral development is carried out to spot any issues early and explain findings to parents.
The dentist reviews how teeth are erupting, how the bite is forming and whether any developmental concerns should be monitored or investigated further.
Practical tips on brushing technique, appropriate toothpaste amounts, dietary measures and routines to protect teeth between appointments.
We explain any recommended follow-up, discuss possible preventive or treatment options, confirm parent or guardian consent and agree a personalised recall interval.
Many parents choose an early first visit when the first tooth appears or by the first birthday to make visits familiar and identify any emerging issues early. If your child has special health needs, high dental anxiety or recent dental pain, tell us when booking so we can plan extra time or support.
When you call to arrange an appointment the reception team can advise on suitable times, what to bring and how we will handle consent and any discussions about care; we will not proceed with treatment without explaining suitability and risks to the parent or guardian.

Simple, practical steps parents can use every day to protect their child’s teeth
Brush twice daily with a smear of fluoride toothpaste for children under three and a pea-sized amount for children aged three to six.
Supervise brushing until a child can reliably spit and rinse without swallowing and help them develop a regular routine.
Make brushing a calm, consistent part of the morning and evening routine to build positive habits.

Limit sugary snacks and drinks between meals and offer water between meals to reduce decay risk.
Avoid prolonged sipping on sweetened beverages and choose lower-sugar options where possible.
Offer tooth-friendly snacks such as fruit, vegetables and dairy and encourage meals rather than frequent snacking.
We welcome families from Stock to book children’s dental appointments at our Ingatestone practice. Appointments are carried out at 5 Market Place, Ingatestone, CM4 0BY; the team will confirm practical details and any preparation when you book.

To book a children’s check-up call 01277 353456 and tell reception if your child is anxious so we can plan extra support and time for the appointment. If you are looking for children’s dentistry for your family in Stock, contact our Ingatestone practice to discuss your child’s dental care and possible next steps.
Our reception team will answer questions about what to expect and help you choose a suitable appointment time.