My child screamed through their last dental visit. Will this be different?

Tell us that before you arrive rather than on the day you come in. A short, low-pressure first visit with nothing done is often the fastest way back, and it is a very normal request.

How do I know if I’m brushing my kids’ teeth enough?

Brushing kids’ teeth can get tricky. Nobody on our team is going to make you feel bad about whether or not you’re doing a good job at it. What matters is the plan from here, and children's teeth respond quickly once things are on track.

Do children really need x-rays for dental cleanings?

Only where they are needed, and we will explain why before taking any. In children they mostly check that adult teeth are developing and positioned properly, which you cannot see any other way.

My child is under ten. Can Nyack Family and Cosmetic Dentistry see them?

For cleanings, fluoride and sealants, absolutely. For active treatment under about ten, Dr. Bodie will refer you to a pediatric dentist, and he will tell you that up front.

How do I get them to brush properly at home?

Ask the hygienist to show them on the screen. Children pay far more attention to their own teeth on a monitor than to being reminded at the sink.

Children's Dental Cleanings in Nyack, NY

Short, calm and nothing they need to brace for

A children's dental cleaning removes plaque, checks that adult teeth are coming through properly and catches decay early. At our Nyack dental office, we see kids at any age. Their first visit is kept short and simple on purpose. If you don’t have insurance, our yearly children's Wellness Plan is just $362.

The first visit is mostly about the room

For a young child the first appointment is not really about their teeth. It is about sitting in the chair, seeing the equipment, meeting the hygienist and discovering that nothing bad happens. We get that right so that every visit afterward feels ordinary. We take things slow, talk them through what we’re doing, and make sure the visit feels light.

An inside look at their teeth

Children are usually fascinated by the screen. We show them their own teeth, enormous on the screen, with the hygienist pointing out where they are brushing well and where they are missing. It works far better than being scolded at home about the same spot, and parents from West Nyack regularly report the brushing improves for weeks after a visit to our office.

Care that Dr. Bodie would want for his own family

Cleanings, checkups, fluoride and sealants are welcome at our office at any age. He will always treat you and your child like his own family, never recommending more than is necessary. Rest assured, parents are always welcome in the room for cleanings.

How much does a children's dental cleaning cost in Nyack, NY?

Children's cleanings at our Nyack dental office are quoted at the visit, and most family dental plans cover preventive visits for children in full. Without insurance, the children's Wellness Plan is $362 a year to age 12 and covers two cleanings, exams, x-rays, screenings and two fluoride treatments.

What age should a child first visit the dentist?

A child should first visit the dentist early, and there is no minimum age at our Nyack dental office. The first visits are short and simple by design, so a child becomes comfortable with the chair long before anything actually needs doing.

Does a children's dental cleaning hurt?

No. A children's cleaning is a polish and a check rather than anything invasive, and it is kept short. If a child is anxious, tell us when you book so the appointment is planned around it.

How often should children have a cleaning?

Twice a year for most children, which is what the children's Wellness Plan is built around. Children more prone to decay sometimes benefit from more frequent fluoride, and we will say so if that applies.

What happens if my child needs a filling?

It depends on their age. Dr. Bodie treats children’s fillings from about age ten on, and because he often uses the laser, a lot of that smaller work doesn’t need numbing. For younger children who need a filling, we’ll refer you to a pediatric dentist and tell you that up front.

Can my child be seen at the same time as me?

Your child can usually be seen at the same time as you, and we will do our best to arrange family appointments close together. Ask when you book and we will look at what is possible on the day you need.