Pediatric dentistry
Your Child’s First Dental Visit in Lakewood, CO
A first impression that sets the tone for a lifetime of healthy smiles. Free initial exams for children under 18 months.
A first dental visit is really two firsts: your child’s first impression of the dentist, and yours of the practice you are trusting with it. At Shining Stars Kids Dentistry, we treat both as precious. Since 2011, Lakewood, CO families have started their kids’ dental journeys in our space-themed office with a simple approach: go slowly, keep it friendly, and let the child set the pace.
When should the first visit happen?
Sooner than most parents guess. Dental organizations generally recommend a first visit by your child’s first birthday, or when that first tooth pops through. Starting early is less about treatment and more about familiarity: a child who knows the office from the beginning never learns to fear it.
What to expect
Your Child’s First Appointment
A gentle introduction designed to leave your child excited about their next visit, not dreading it.
A Warm Hello
Kids get a tour of the office and meet the team as people first, clinicians second. You stay right beside them.
A Gentle Look
When your child is ready, the doctor examines their teeth, gums, and jaw development. For babies, this often happens in your lap.
Real Answers for Parents
Feeding, teething, thumb-sucking, brushing — bring your questions list. This conversation is half the value of a first visit.
A Happy Ending
Every first visit ends on a high note, so the memory your child carries home is a good one.
Our promise
What Makes First Visits Different Here
Your Child Sets the Pace
We never rush. If the win of the day is walking in smiling, that is a real win.
Parents Always Welcome
You are welcome in the treatment room at every appointment, first or fiftieth.
No Stabilization, Ever
We never use any kind of stabilization. If care cannot happen kindly, we adjust the plan.
Free Initial Exam Under 18 Months
Bringing your child in for their first ever dental visit? Receive their initial exam completely FREE! Call 303-237-2300 today to make an appointment. Valid only for children under the age of 18 months.
Why the first visit shapes every visit after it
Kids who begin dentistry in a calm, familiar place grow into teens who see checkups as routine instead of something to survive. That is the long game we are playing: a child who wants to come back. It is also why our whole practice runs the way it does, from never rushing a nervous kid to never using any kind of stabilization, ever.
Curious what happens as your child grows? Explore the rest of our pediatric dentistry care, from sealants to brushing coaching, all under the same roof.
Frequently Asked Questions About First Visits
When should my child first see a dentist?
Earlier than most parents expect. Dental organizations generally recommend a first visit around the first birthday or when the first tooth appears. Our free initial exam for children under 18 months makes starting early easy on the budget too.
What actually happens at a first dental visit?
Mostly, introductions. Your child meets the team, explores the space, maybe takes a ride in the chair. If they are comfortable, the doctor takes a gentle look at their teeth and gums. If not, we stop there and celebrate a happy first visit anyway.
What if my toddler cries or will not cooperate?
Then we slow down. Crying at a new place is completely normal for little ones, and nobody here minds it. We never force anything and never use any kind of stabilization. Sometimes the win of the day is just walking in smiling, and that is a real win.
Do I stay with my child during the visit?
Yes, and we encourage it. Parents are always welcome in the treatment room at every appointment, first or fiftieth. For babies and toddlers, your lap is often the exam chair, and that is exactly how we like it.
How do I care for baby teeth at home?
We will show you at the visit, sized to your child's age: how to brush tiny teeth, when to start flossing, and which habits matter most early on. Our brushing and flossing guide has the same tips in a form you can share with grandparents and caregivers.
Let’s Make Their First Visit a Great One
One gentle appointment can set the tone for a lifetime of healthy smiles. Schedule your child’s first visit today, and remember, initial exams are free for little ones under 18 months.