See Your Dentist

By six years old, your child has hopefully already had several dental visits and is now comfortable with the routine dental exam. A routine exam, including dental x-rays and a dental cleaning, is recommended every 6 months. Depending on the results of your oral health exam, you may have to see your provider more frequently.

Your child may have dental insurance coverage from either a private plan from a parent, or if they have Medi-Cal, they automatically have coverage for dental services.

At six years old, the first adult tooth to come in is the first molar (one of the back teeth), also known as the “six-year-old molar.” Your dental provider may suggest “sealing” these first teeth as they erupt.

A dental sealant is a white-filling material that is put into the grooves of the adult molars to prevent future cavities from forming on the chewing surfaces of the tooth. This service can be recommended for all premolars and molars to help prevent tooth decay.

Fluoride is a natural mineral that helps strengthen tooth enamel and protect against future cavities.

At the routine dental exam, your dental provider or doctor may recommend applying fluoride varnish to your child’s teeth. Application of the fluoride varnish is quick and painless; it involves the provider using a small brush to paint it onto tooth surfaces.

A dental provider or dental professional is a licensed individual who can provide dental services to you. A dental practice is not limited to only a dentist. There are many other types of dental providers. You may also 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 not limited to dental clinics. You might 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, placement of sealants, and placement of a temporary filling.

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

If your child has Medi-Cal, they also have coverage for dental care. The Medi-Cal Dental Program covers a full range of dental services. If you have not found a dental home for your child yet, click on “More Information” below to find a Medi-Cal Dental Provider and additional Medi-Cal Dental resources.