First Dental Appointment

The American Dental Association recommends your child’s first dental appointment by their first birthday. At this age, the average child already has six teeth!  At this visit, the dental professional may only be able to do a visual exam, depending on the child’s cooperation.

The earlier your child has their first visit followed by routine appointments, the better dental experience your child may have in later years. After the initial visit, your provider will recommend regular visits. Be sure to make these visits.

More information:

Fluoride Varnish

Fluoride is a natural mineral that helps strengthen and protect tooth enamel against future cavities. Fluoride varnish is a dental treatment that can help prevent tooth decay, slow it down, or stop it from getting worse.

At your child’s routine six-month dental exam and on an ongoing basis thereafter, your dental provider or doctor may recommend applying a fluoride varnish onto your child’s teeth.

The application of the fluoride varnish is quick and painless. A dental professional uses a small brush to paint a small amount onto the tooth surfaces.

More information:

Care by Dental Professionals Other than a Dentist

A dental provider or dental professional is a licensed individual that can provide dental services to you.  A dental practice is not limited to just a dentist. There are many other types of dental providers. You may receive a preventive dental service from a Registered Dental Hygienist, a Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice, or another dental professional.

Services provided by these professionals are also not limited to a dental clinic. You may be able to receive services in your community at a school, a nursing home, or a mobile dental van. A few preventive treatments include a dental cleaning, fluoride varnish application, sealant placement, and temporary filling placement.

Restorative treatments can only be provided by a dentist in a clinical or community setting; these treatments include permanent cavity fillings, tooth extractions, and root canal therapies.

More information:

Medi-Cal has Dental Covered

The Medi‑Cal Dental Program provides a full range of free or low‑cost dental services to children and adults who receive Medi‑Cal, California’s Medicaid program.

If your child has Medi-Cal, they also have coverage for dental care.  If you have not found a dental home for your child yet, click on the Medi-Cal Provider Directory link below to find a Medi-Cal Dental Provider near you and additional resources.

More information: