Gelli’s First Visit to the Dentist

Earlier this week, I was able to arrange for Gelli’s first dentist visit with Dr. Giorgina Roa-Remulla.

Ok. I know that I should have brought Gelli YEARS ago, for her first appointment. 

Doc’s website actually says that I should have brought her in to see a dentist by her first birthday.

OOPS. Gelli is six years old.

Luckily, we have been taking very good care of Gelli’s teeth!

I wanted to share our first experience at the dentist because I know that some people out there might not know how to prepare their kiddos for their first dentist visit.

First, I want to start by saying, I don’t buy into any of the stigma that people perpetuate when it comes to dentists’ (or doctors’ for that matter) visits. I believe, if you are diligent in speaking to your kids and explaining things to them, there is no good reason why they should “be afraid” to visit either the pediatrician or the dentist.

Side note and tangent: I ALSO can’t stand it when I hear people say to their kids “Don’t go there, or the the policeman will get you.” OR “Don’t do that, or the guard will get angry.” I know that there are bad people in the world. I know that there is darkness and evil. But, I want to believe that in the scariest of circumstances, our kids should feel safe going to a guard or a policeman for help. 

Sorry about that tangent. But I feel strongly about both. I also feel like I can group these types of scare tactics together because our kids should NOT be afraid of their dentist, or the guard in the mall, or a doctor, or the policeman who can offer help when needed.

Ok, so back to what I was talking about before I got sidetracked…

I didn’t want Gelli to be afraid or apprehensive about her first dentist visit.

Here are three things that I did to prepare her:

1. We talked about our visit to the dentist with excitement. We talked about an electric chair where you can lay down all the way. We talked about how FUN it was going to be to show her new dentist the places where her teeth fell out. We talked about it one week before, a few days before, the day before, and the morning of the appointment…
2. I showed her pictures of my friend’s kids at the dentist. Actually, that’s how I found Dr. Remulla. My friend Kaye posted an Instagram Story of her girls at the dentist and I asked for the contact information right away. Of course, she also wanted to know who the girls were, and if they could play…
3. Before leaving the house, we brushed our teeth together. That’s another thing we do as a family…every time we leave the house, we remind the kids to brush their teeth again. In this case, while we were brushing teeth, and before visiting Dr. Remulla’s (very kid friendly) office, I was telling Gelli how Doc will want to look at her teeth and she will have to open up nice and wide and we wanted her breath to smell fresh. 

Of course Dr. Remulla had the coolest dentist office EVAHHHHHH.

There were toys for both boys and girls, and everything had a place, so I really appreciated the order.

That meant that while I was filling out our paperwork for our first visit, Gelli was happily playing by herself and fully entertained. In fact, I couldn’t get Gelli to stop playing once Doc was ready for her. 

THINGS I LOVED ABOUT OUR VISIT:

1. It was easy to make and and confirm our appointment. (Plus the office is very near where we live.)
2. Doc introduced herself and spoke directly to Gelli. She explained to Gelli that she just wanted to count her teeth and take a look…
3. Doc’s chair was totally equipped for kiddos of all ages and all abilities. 
4. There was a tv directly above the chair to distract Gelli with the movie SING, playing when we walked into the room.
5. Doc handed Gelli a mirror to watch whatever it was that she was doing. (It’s like Doc knew that Gelli is actually in love with herself and LOVES MIRRORS.)
6. There was a simple reward that made Gelli happy before we left.
7. Doc actually specializes in treating kids of all ages and ALL abilities.

But don’t just take my word for it.

Check out Gelli’s visit through S01 E04 of Tea Time with Gelli…

Hopefully, next time, Gelli will invite me back on her show for the next episode…

If you live in the south and are looking for a pediatric dentist for your kiddo, I would recommend Doc Remulla in a heartbeat.

http://toothcamp.ph/

Alabang Clinic
Unit 306, Page 1 Building,
1215 Acacia Avenue, Ayala Alabang,
Muntinlupa City, Philippines 1780
Landline: +63 2 850 4260
Mobile: +63 920 913 1966

Makati
Unit 1D Amorsolo Condominiums,
110 Amorsolo Street, Legaspi Village,
Makati City, Philippines
Landline: +63 2 892 4758