Maria Kalkani discusses the power of a child’s first dental appointment in building trust and healthy habits.
As dental professionals, we know that early intervention is crucial – but how early is early enough when it comes to children’s oral health?
For Maria Kalkani, paediatric dentistry isn’t just about treating teeth; it’s about laying the emotional and educational foundations for a lifetime of positive oral health behaviours and knowing the dental chair is a safe space, not one to be feared.
‘I’ve been fortunate to work across both clinical and academic paediatric dentistry for more than 15 years – from my time in hospital settings through to specialist training at university, and now in practice at Bryer Wallace. I’ve seen first-hand the profound impact that early, positive dental experiences can have – and how important our role is in shaping them.’
Here Maria shares some fundamentals that dental professionals can pass on to children and their families – from making that first visit a positive one to helping parents with brushing techniques and when to intervene with treatment. Her insights are all about setting young patients up for lifelong oral health.
The power of the first appointment
The British Society of Paediatric Dentistry recommends a first dental visit by the age of one or within six months of the first tooth erupting. While this may seem premature to some parents, as professionals, we know it’s the ideal window for identifying early signs of decay, developmental anomalies or habits, such as non-nutritive sucking, that may need monitoring or intervention.
These appointments do more than screen for issues – they’re about establishing trust. Techniques like the ‘lap-to-lap’ examination can ease children (and their parents) into the dental environment, particularly for infants or children with additional needs. The goal is simple: make the first visit positive, empowering and calming – because that experience will colour every dental appointment to follow.
Talking to parents about prevention
Much of the real impact of paediatric dentistry happens outside the clinic, in homes and schools – and that’s where we get support from parents, guardians and caregivers on the importance of brushing and diet.
We often get asked whether electric toothbrushes are better than manual ones for little ones. The answer is either can be effective – provided they’re used correctly. What matters most is technique, consistency and supervision.
Younger children will need to start out with a manual brush as it offers more control and better learning opportunities. Older children who need motivation may benefit from switching to an electric brush with built-in timers and fun features. There’s no one-size-fits-all – we personalise advice to the individual child.
Similarly, flossing can start as soon as any two teeth touch. While many children lack the dexterity to floss independently until age eight to 10, this shouldn’t delay the habit. Even if they watch grown-ups up flossing or using interdental brushes, this helps them set an example for when they are ready. Pre-threaded flossers can make the process easier for parents and more engaging for children.
When it comes to fluoride, the science remains clear: it’s both safe and effective when used appropriately. However, we also know many parents have questions – especially if they live in areas without fluoridated water. Reassuring them with facts and helping them navigate toothpaste selection based on their child’s age and risk profile is key.
While toothbrushing is essential for a healthy mouth, diet is equally important to get right – and it often gets overlooked. We recommend limiting sugary food and drinks to meal time and following the eat-well guidelines for a balanced diet.
Recognising when intervention is needed
While much of our role as dental professionals focuses on education and prevention, there are times when clinical intervention is necessary. One such instance is tongue-tie (ankyloglossia), where a restrictive lingual frenulum can affect feeding, speech development, oral hygiene, or even orthodontic outcomes. In these cases, lingual frenotomy – particularly using laser technology – can provide significant functional benefits with minimal discomfort.
Pregnant patients or parents of newborns may not realise their dentist can help or refer them to the appropriate specialist. Tongue-tie is often picked up by a midwife or GP, but dental teams also play a valuable role in raising awareness.
We can talk patients through what to look for – such as difficulty breastfeeding or signs of a tie visible when the baby yawns or cries. Diagnosis isn’t always straightforward, and in many cases, issues only become apparent when feeding challenges arise. Recognising and addressing tongue-tie early can make a real difference in a child’s ability to latch and feed effectively – and opens the door to better long-term oral function.
Our role as educators
Every paediatric dental appointment is an opportunity to educate children and their family. By supporting our patients with compassion, clarity and consistency of what we’re saying, we can help every child start life with the best chance of a healthy smile and offer the grown-ups the best advice to make this a reality.
As professionals, we know that excellent oral health starts young – and that we all have a role in helping parents and carers feel empowered, not overwhelmed. Whether you’re in general practice or a specialist setting, knowing when to reassure, when to refer, and how to personalise advice can make all the difference.
For more information on careers at Bupa, you can visit: jobs.bupadentalcare.co.uk
This article is sponsored by Bupa Dental Care.
