New patients, ages 0 to 18
Your Child's First Dental Visit in Richmond, VA for babies, toddlers, and kids who have never been
The first tooth just came in. Or your pediatrician brought up the dentist at the one-year checkup. Or your three-year-old has never been, and it has started to bug you.
Any of those is a good place to start. At Richmond Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, our pediatric dentists see first visits every week at four offices around Richmond: Short Pump, the West End, Mechanicsville, and Midlothian.
Most first visits take 30 to 45 minutes. Babies and toddlers stay on your lap. You leave with a plan for your child's teeth, and your child leaves having met the dentist without anything scary happening.
- Four pediatric offices: Short Pump, West End, Mechanicsville, and Midlothian
- Specialty-trained pediatric dentists, first tooth through age 18
- Virginia Medicaid accepted, including Cardinal Care Smiles
- Orthodontists in the same practice when it's time for a bite check
The short answer: Your child's first dental visit should happen when the first tooth comes in, and no later than the first birthday. That's the recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatrics. In Richmond, RPDO's pediatric dentists see babies and toddlers for first visits at four offices. The visit takes about 30 to 45 minutes, your baby stays on your lap, and Virginia Medicaid families pay no copay for covered care.
First visit at RPDO, at a glance
| When to go | When the first tooth comes in, and no later than the first birthday |
| How long it takes | About 30 to 45 minutes |
| Where your baby sits | On your lap, facing you, for a knee-to-knee exam |
| What happens | Health history, a gentle exam, a cleaning, fluoride if it fits your child, and time for your questions |
| X-rays | Only when the dentist needs them to see something |
| Cost with Virginia Medicaid | No copay for covered dental care through Cardinal Care Smiles |
| Where in Richmond | Short Pump, West End (Gaskins Road), Mechanicsville, and Midlothian (Wednesdays) |
| To book | Request a visit online or call (804) 741-2226 |
Why the First Dental Visit Happens by Age One
Baby teeth can get cavities as soon as they come in. Nearly 1 in 4 children ages 2 to 5 have already had a cavity in their baby teeth, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.
The first visit is how you get ahead of that. It isn't a big appointment. For a one-year-old, it's mostly a conversation with a quick look inside.
Plenty of parents hear "age one" and think it sounds early. In a national University of Michigan poll of parents with young kids, the most common reason for not going yet was thinking the child was too young.
What the first visit does for a baby or toddler
- Can catch early soft spots on the enamel before they turn into cavities
- Checks how the teeth, gums, tongue, and jaw are developing
- Looks at habits like bottles at bedtime, sippy cups, pacifiers, and thumb sucking
- Gives you a brushing and toothpaste plan that works with a squirmy toddler
- Sets up your child's dental home, one office that knows their history and that you can call when something comes up
Brushing a toddler's teeth can feel like a wrestling match. Our guide to brushing your toddler's teeth has the positions that make it easier.
What Happens at Your Child's First Visit at RPDO
Six steps, start to finish. Here is how a first visit goes at our Short Pump, West End, Mechanicsville, and Midlothian offices.
Check in
Fill out the new patient forms at home so you're not on a clipboard with a toddler on your hip. Bring your insurance or Medicaid card.
Say hello first
Your child meets the hygienist and the dentist before anyone looks in their mouth. We show each tool and let your child touch it first.
The exam
Babies and toddlers stay with you for a knee-to-knee exam. The dentist checks every tooth, the gums, the tongue, and how the bite and jaw are coming along.
Cleaning and fluoride
A gentle cleaning with a small, soft brush, then fluoride varnish if it fits your child. X-rays only when the dentist needs them.
Your plan
The dentist walks you through what they saw, how to brush at home, and when to come back. If anything needs treatment, you get the options and the cost that day.
The prize
Your child picks something from the prize basket on the way out. Most kids remember this part best.
How the knee-to-knee exam works
For babies and young toddlers, you don't hand your child over. You sit facing the dentist with your knees touching. Your child sits on your lap facing you, then leans back so their head rests in the dentist's lap.
You hold their hands. The dentist gets a clear look at every tooth, and your child can see your face the whole time.
The exam itself takes a couple of minutes. Lots of babies cry. That's expected at this age, it doesn't hurt anything, and a crying mouth is an open mouth. Plenty of them are smiling again by the time they reach the prize basket.
For kids two and up
Older toddlers and preschoolers can sit in the big chair when they're ready, and for some two-year-olds that still means sitting on your lap. We use a tell-show-do approach: we tell your child what's next, show them the tool, then do it. You can read more about how we guide kids through visits.
Is it time for your child's first visit?
Tap your child's age and we'll tell you what their first visit will look like.
How old is your child?
Under 12 months
If a tooth is in, it's time.
Book once the first tooth shows up, or around the first birthday if it hasn't. Your baby stays on your lap for a quick knee-to-knee exam, and most of the visit is you asking questions about teething, bottles, and brushing.
Trouble with feeding or latching? Mention it when you book. Our pediatric dentists also look at tongue and lip ties.
1 to 2 years old
Right on time.
Expect a lap exam, a gentle cleaning, and fluoride if it fits your child. This is the age when bedtime bottles, sippy cups, and pacifiers start to matter, so bring your questions.
3 to 5, never been
Not behind. Let's get them in.
Lots of Richmond kids have their first visit at this age. Your child can sit in the chair or on your lap, whichever they choose. If the back teeth touch each other, the dentist may want X-rays to check between them, since that's where cavities like to hide.
Nervous kid? Read our tips for dental anxiety in children before you come.
6 or older, never been
It's never too late to start.
Expect a full exam, a cleaning, X-rays if the dentist needs them, and a bite check. Around age 7 is also when an orthodontist should take a look, and ours are in the same practice. Learn about early orthodontic checks.
Can I Stay With My Child During the Visit?
For babies and toddlers, yes. You're part of the exam. Your child sits on your lap the whole time.
For older kids, it's your call. Tell us what you'd like when you book. Some children are calmer with a parent close by. Others do better when the team guides them one-on-one, and we'll find the approach that works for your child.
If your child gets nervous at the doctor, mention it when you call. Our page on dental anxiety in children has things that help before and during the visit.
If your child has autism, sensory sensitivities, or another special healthcare need, call us before the visit. You can ask to bring your child by for a short tour first. Here is more on our care for children with special needs.
How to Prepare Your Child for a First Dentist Visit
Little things you do at home make a big difference in the chair.
Book a good time of day
Morning, or right after a nap. A tired toddler has a harder time with anything new.
Keep the words simple
“The dentist is going to count your teeth.” Skip words like shot, hurt, drill, or pull, even to say they won't happen.
Practice at home
Play dentist. Count their teeth with a toothbrush, or have them check a stuffed animal's teeth. Picture books about a first dental visit help too.
Let them watch a sibling
If an older brother or sister has a checkup coming up, bring the little one along to watch first.
Eat and brush before
A light meal and a quick brush before you leave home. A hungry child is a cranky child.
Bring a comfort item
A favorite stuffed animal or blanket can come into the room and sit right in the chair with them.
What to bring to the first visit
- Your dental insurance card, or your child's Medicaid card and health plan card
- Completed new patient forms, if you filled them out at home
- A list of any medicines and health conditions
- Your pediatrician's name
- Your questions about teething, pacifiers, bottles, toothpaste, or thumb sucking
- A comfort item, and a snack for after
What a First Dental Visit Costs in Richmond
With Virginia Medicaid
Virginia's Medicaid dental program, Cardinal Care Smiles, covers checkups, cleanings, and fluoride for children. The state says there are no costs or copays for covered dental care in the program.
RPDO accepts Cardinal Care Smiles (formerly Smiles For Children), DentaQuest, and Doral at all four pediatric offices, and you don't need a referral. Our team checks your benefits before the visit. Read more about our pediatric dental care for Medicaid families in Richmond.
With dental insurance
We accept most major dental plans. Many plans cover routine checkups and cleanings for kids, often twice a year. Call us with your plan and we'll tell you what to expect. See our insurance information.
Without insurance
The price depends on what the visit includes, such as the exam, cleaning, fluoride, and any X-rays. Call (804) 741-2226 and ask for the self-pay price before you book.
Have Medicaid? You don't need a referral.
Tell us your child's name, age, and Medicaid plan. We'll confirm coverage and match you with the soonest opening at the office closest to you.
Already Past One? It's Not Too Late
Plenty of kids don't make it in by their first birthday. A 2015 national survey from Western University of Health Sciences put the average age of a first dental visit at about two and a half.
If your child is three, four, or older and has never been, the visit looks a lot like the one above. Your child can sit in the chair or on your lap. Once the back teeth touch each other, the dentist may want X-rays to see between them, because that's where cavities like to hide.
If you've noticed a dark spot, a chipped tooth, or your child says something hurts, mention it when you book. If it can't wait, see our emergency pediatric dentist page.
Why Start With a Pediatric Dentist?
Pediatric dentists finish two to three more years of specialty training after dental school, focused only on children, from infants through teens and kids with special healthcare needs. You can meet our pediatric dentists before you book, or see everything we offer in pediatric dentistry in Richmond.
At RPDO there's a second reason. We're a pediatric dentistry and orthodontics practice. Our pediatric dentists keep an eye on bite and jaw development at every checkup, and when your child reaches the age-7 orthodontic check the American Association of Orthodontists recommends, our orthodontists already have the chart. Here's how early orthodontic treatment works.
And plenty of parents who come in for a first visit end up asking about their own teeth. Our orthodontists treat adults in Richmond too.
What Richmond parents say
Real Google reviews from families across our Richmond-area offices
Pick the Pediatric Office Closest to You
First visits happen at our four pediatric offices. Our Patterson Avenue office is orthodontics only, so families near Patterson usually book at the West End office on Gaskins Road, a few minutes away.
Short Pump
Near Innsbrook, Wyndham, and Glen Allen
12270 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23233
Mon to Thu 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fri 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
West End
Pediatric dentistry onlyNear Tuckahoe, Gayton, and Ridgefield Parkway
2560 Gaskins Rd, Richmond, VA 23238
Mon to Thu 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fri 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Mechanicsville
Serving Atlee, Rural Point, Old Church, and Hanover County
7521 Right Flank Rd #110, Mechanicsville, VA 23116
Mon to Thu 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fri 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Midlothian
Kids' dentistry on WednesdaysNear Brandermill, Woodlake, and Bon Air
13901 Coalfield Commons Pl, Suite 101, Midlothian, VA 23114
Pediatric dentistry Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Families come to us from Henrico, Glen Allen, Tuckahoe, Chesterfield, Hanover, and across RVA. Not sure which office is closest? Call (804) 741-2226 and we'll help you pick.
Questions Richmond Parents Ask About the First Visit
Straight answers to what families ask us before the first appointment.
What age should my child have their first dental visit?
When the first tooth comes in, and no later than the first birthday. That's the recommendation from both the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatrics. If your child is older and hasn't been yet, the best time is now.
How long does a first dental visit take?
About 30 to 45 minutes at our offices. The exam itself takes only a few minutes. The rest is meeting the team, a gentle cleaning, and time for your questions.
What happens at a baby's first dentist appointment?
We go over your baby's health history, then the dentist does a quick knee-to-knee exam while your baby sits on your lap. We check the teeth, gums, and tongue, clean the teeth that are in, apply fluoride varnish if it fits your child, and talk through brushing, bottles, pacifiers, and teething.
Will my child get X-rays at the first visit?
Only if the dentist needs them. Babies and young toddlers usually don't. Once the back teeth touch each other, X-rays help the dentist see between them, which is where cavities often start.
Can I be in the room with my child?
Yes for babies and toddlers. You're part of the exam, and your child stays on your lap. For older kids, tell us what you prefer when you book and we'll find the approach that works for your child.
What if my child cries the whole time?
That's expected for babies and toddlers, and it doesn't get in the way of the exam. The team sees it every day. Plenty of kids who cry during the exam are happy again by the time they pick a prize.
Does Medicaid cover my child's first dental visit in Virginia?
Yes. Cardinal Care Smiles, Virginia's Medicaid and FAMIS dental program, covers children's exams, cleanings, and fluoride, and the state says there are no copays for covered dental care. RPDO accepts Cardinal Care Smiles, DentaQuest, and Doral at all four pediatric offices, and no referral is needed.
My child is 3 or 4 and has never seen a dentist. Is that a problem?
No. Many kids have their first visit at that age. The visit is a lot like a younger child's: meet the team, an exam, a cleaning, and a plan. If you've noticed a spot or your child has tooth pain, mention it when you book.
Should my child see a pediatric dentist or our family dentist?
Either can do a checkup. A pediatric dentist has two to three more years of training focused on children, including babies, toddlers, and kids with special healthcare needs. At RPDO, your child's orthodontist is in the same practice, too.
Will the dentist fix a cavity at the first visit?
The first visit is for the exam, cleaning, and plan. If the dentist finds something that needs treatment, you get the options and the cost that day, and you decide what's next.
How often should my child see the dentist after the first visit?
Every six months for most kids. Children at higher risk for cavities may need to come more often. The dentist will tell you what makes sense for your child.
When should my child see an orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check by age 7. At RPDO our pediatric dentists watch the bite at every checkup, and our orthodontists are in the same practice when it's time.
Where these numbers come from
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Periodicity of Examination (2025)
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Policy on the Dental Home (2023)
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org: Baby's First Tooth
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research: Dental Caries in Children (2 to 11 years)
- Virginia DMAS: Cardinal Care Smiles fact sheet
- C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health: Dental visits for young children
- DrBicuspid: Western University of Health Sciences survey on first dental visit age (2015)
- American Dental Association, MouthHealthy: Baby's First Dental Visit
Babies, toddlers, and kids who have never been
Book Your Child's First Dental Visit in Richmond
Picture the drive home: your child holding a prize, you holding a plan, and the first dentist visit already behind you. Pick the office closest to you and we'll take it from there.
Helping Richmond Smile
Comprehensive Pediatric Dental and Orthodontic Care
At Richmond Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we strive to deliver radiant, healthy smiles to families across Richmond, VA. Our kind and caring team is committed to providing professional, high quality service in an environment that is relaxing and fun.
Our goal is to make your dental and orthodontic journey with us an amazing experience. Get started today!
