children's dentist visit video

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How to Prepare Your Child for Their First Dental Visit

Verywell / Madelyn Goodnight

What to Expect

Choosing a dentist.

• Getting Ready For The Visit

Preparing as a Parent

One of the most frequently asked questions I get as a Pediatric Dentist is, “When should I bring my baby in for their first dental visit?”

The Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child should visit the dentist when the first tooth appears or no later than their first birthday. While it may sound early, starting at that age will start your baby on a path for great oral health and prevent a number of dental problems that can occur during childhood.

The first visit gives parents a chance to become educated on how to properly care for their child's teeth and gives children a chance to become comfortable with the dental environment at an early age.

At the first visit, the dentist will examine your baby's mouth to make sure everything is growing and developing properly and will check for dental caries, tongue ties, and any signs of injuries.

The dentist will typically tell you everything you need to know to keep your child's teeth healthy including:

• What kind of toothpaste and toothbrush to use
• Brushing and flossing techniques
• How to relieve teething discomfort
• Which foods and drinks cause cavities
• Answers to questions about pacifier use and thumb-sucking.

The examination and cleaning itself can take just a few minutes, but most of the time is spent on making the child feel comfortable and educating the parents. You should not expect the overall visit to take a long time.

The first step is finding a Pediatric Dentist for your child. Pediatric Dentists have two to three additional years of training after dental school during which they extensively study child development, behavior management of patients from infancy to adolescence, and how best to work with special needs children.

Most Pediatric Dentists will aim to provide a fun environment with toys, stickers, TVs, games, yummy flavored toothpaste, and staff that enjoy working with children. When children are having fun, they gain trust in the dentist and staff, and will often enjoy their visits and look forward to their next appointment.

Where to Find a Dentist

To find a Pediatric Dentist in your area, you can Google nearby pediatric dentists, talk to other parents you know for recommendations, and ask your child's pediatrician or your own dentist. If you have dental insurance, you can search for a Pediatric Dentist through your list of participating providers.

Getting Ready For Your Child's Visit

When you have decided on an office, call them to schedule a visit. Young children tend to do their best in the morning when they are fresh and full of energy. Avoid scheduling appointments late in the day or close to nap times when children can be groggy or cranky.

You can inquire if it is possible for you and your child to come to the office for a tour and to meet the doctor before the actual day of the checkup. If your child has any special needs, discuss it with the staff member that schedules your appointment. The dentist will often want a little extra time scheduled for this.

If there is something in particular that keeps your child calm and happy (a song they like to hear, a video they like to watch or simply a color they like), let the dentist know so they can try to incorporate that into the visit.

Mental Preparation

Once you have an appointment scheduled, start preparing your child for the visit. Children learn best when they are having fun. You can practice giving their stuffed animal a checkup with a toy mirror.

Your child can bring that same stuffed animal to the dental visit to get a check-up by the dentist. Read books to them. I recommend:

• Show Me Your Smile! A Visit to the Dentist (Dora the Explorer)
• Dentist Trip (Peppa Pig)
• Elmo Visits the Dentist by P.J. Shaw

You can also watch one of the many YouTube videos about going to the dentist, such as Daniel Tiger's .

Put Them At Ease

When talking to your child about their upcoming trip to the dentist, you can assure them that there are no shots at this visit and that the dentist will simply examine and brush their teeth and talk to them about how to keep their teeth healthy.

Let them know that the dentist will show them all of the tools and explain all of the procedures before starting. You can also plan a treat (not candy or junk food) such as a trip to the park or toy store should they need a little extra motivation.

Anticipating Follow Up Visits

Once you've completed your first visit, it's time to start preparing your child for their second visit! Discuss the visit with your child and remind them of the positive things that happened such as:

• There were no shots
• Nothing hurt
• The toothpaste tasted great
• The toothbrush tickled
• The dentist counted all of your teeth and now we know how many teeth you have
• You got prizes and a new toothbrush at the end
• Next time we go there, we'll get these fun prizes all over again!

To prepare yourself, come on time, if possible a few minutes earlier to fill out any registration and consent forms that may be needed. Many offices have their registration forms on their website so you can fill them out in advance.

Give your dentist a complete health history of your child. If your child is taking any medications, have a list of the medications and dosages. Have your child's pediatrician's contact information available.

If you have any particular questions that you want the dentist to address, write them down so you don't forget to ask them if the dentist doesn't bring those topics up.

It is also important to have reasonable expectations of your child. During the visit, some children may open their mouths willingly and enjoy the experience, while some will not, just as some do not enjoy getting haircuts or wearing seatbelts. Luckily, with preparation and sticking to a regular recall schedule (typically every six months), the visits will get easier and more enjoyable each time.

Many children that may start out fearful or anxious can become patients that love going to the dentist once they've been a few times.  

By Rashmi Ambewadikar, DDS  Rashmi Ambewadikar, DDS is a pediatric dentist practicing in Queens, New York and is the owner of Astoria Smiles Pediatric Dentistry. 

• Second Opinion

A Child's First Dental Visit Fact Sheet

When should your child first see a dentist? You can take your child at a younger age, but experts recommend taking him or her within 6 months of the first tooth coming in (erupting), or by about 12 months at the latest.

At this time, the dentist can give you information on:

Baby bottle tooth decay

Infant feeding practices

Mouth cleaning

Pacifier habits

Finger-sucking habits

Prepare your child

If possible, schedule morning appointments so young children are alert and fresh.

Prepare a preschooler or older child for the visit by giving him or her a general idea of what to expect. Explain why it is important to go to the dentist. Build excitement and understanding.

Prepare yourself

Discuss your questions and concerns with the dentist. Remember that your feeling toward dental visits can be quite different from your child's. Be honest with your view of the dentist. If you have dental anxieties, be careful not to relate those fears or dislikes to your child. Parents need to give moral support by staying calm while in the dental exam room. Children can pick up parents' anxieties and become anxious themselves.

Prepare the dentist

At the first visit, give the dentist your child's complete health history. For a restoration visit, such as getting a cavity filled, tell the dentist if your child tends to be stubborn, defiant, anxious, or fearful in other situations.

Watch how your child reacts. Many parents are able to guess how their child will respond and should tell the dentist. Certain behaviors may be linked to your child's age:

10 to 24 months. Some securely attached children may get upset when taken from their parents for an exam.

2 to 3 years. A securely attached child may be able to cope with a brief separation from parents. In a 2-year-old, "no" may be a common response.

3 years. Three-year-olds may not be OK being apart from a parent when having a dental procedure such as getting a cavity filled. This is because most 3-year-olds are not socially mature enough to separate from parents.

4 years. Most children should be able to sit in another room from parents for exams and treatment procedures.

The first visit

Your child's first dental visit is to help your child feel comfortable with the dentist. The first dental visit is recommended by 12 months of age, or within 6 months of the first tooth coming in. The first visit often lasts 30 to 45 minutes. Depending on your child's age, the visit may include a full exam of the teeth, jaws, bite, gums, and oral tissues to check growth and development. If needed, your child may also have a gentle cleaning. This includes polishing teeth and removing any plaque, tartar, and stains. The dentist may show you and your child proper home cleaning such as flossing, and advise you on the need for fluoride. Baby teeth fall out, so X-rays aren’t often done. But your child's dentist may recommend X-rays to diagnose decay, depending on your child's age. X-rays are also used to see if the root of a jammed baby tooth may be affecting an adult tooth. In general, it is best that young children not have dental X-rays unless absolutely needed.

The second visit

Just like adults, children should see the dentist every 6 months. Some dentists may schedule visits more often, such as every 3 months. This can build comfort and confidence in the child. More frequent visits can also help keep an eye on a development problem.

Protect your children's teeth at home

 Here are some tips to protect your children's teeth:

Before teeth come in, clean gums with a clean, damp cloth.

Start brushing with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and a very small amount of toothpaste (the size of a grain of rice) when your child's first tooth appears. Use a pea-sized dab of fluoridated toothpaste after 3 years of age. This is when the child is old enough to spit out the toothpaste after brushing.

Prevent baby bottle tooth decay. Don't give children a bottle of milk, juice, or sweetened liquid at bedtime or when put down to nap.

Limit the time your child has a bottle. Your child should empty a bottle in 5 to 6 minutes or less.

Help your child brush his or her own teeth until age 7 or 8. Have the child watch you brush, and follow the same brushing pattern to reduce missed spots.

Limit foods and treats that increase tooth decay. This includes hard or sticky candies, fruit leather, and sweetened drinks and juice. Offer fruit rather than juice. The fiber in fruit tends to scrape the teeth clean. Juice just exposes the teeth to sugar.

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Watch this video of a 2-Year-Old’s Dental Visit at Kits Family Dental, it’s our most popular YouTube video ever.

Dr. Robin Mak sees a 2 year-old child for her dental visit. Dr. Mak completes a full pediatric examination, shows  parents how to brush and floss, and cleans and polishes the child’s teeth.

This video currently has over 51,000 views on our YouTube channel. We thought this was something we should highlight for our patients!

We hope that you find this video informative and useful, especially for parents and children for early dental visits. We think that parents are probably watching the video to get an idea of what to expect from a young child’s dental visit, maybe even the first dental visit. Also, we think maybe parents are showing their toddlers and young children the video so the child themselves can have an idea of what to expect. Please let us know!

Wouldn’t it be wonderful for Dr. Mak’s young patients to see a video that actually features Dr. Mak!

Videos on Toddler Fillings, Cleanings and More

Want more? All of our videos can be found on our website , or hop on over to our YouTube Channel for more kids dentist videos .

We have a Toddler Getting a Filling / Kids Fillings video that is also very popular. Our most recent video is on Removing Tartar From Toddlers Teeth – A Child’s Cleaning at the Dentist is already the third most popular of our videos.

Kits Family Dental – A Dentist for Children in Kitsilano, Vancouver

If you are looking for a dentist for your toddler in Vancouver BC, please consider Kits Family Dental. We are kind, gentle, highly skilled, experienced with children and professional. As you can see in some of our videos, we manage to distract and keep the attention of children by singing with them, explaining the basics of what is coming and reassuring them along the way. We find that even with very young children our techniques work a great majority of the time, even for fillings! View a toddler getting a filling in the the video we mentioned above. Contact Us !

Here is a picture of Dr. Mak with one of our youngest (and cutest!) patients.

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How to Prepare for Your Child's First Dental Visit

Medically Reviewed By Colgate Global Scientific Communications

Whether your baby's first tooth popped up this week or your toddler's finally ready to sit still for the dentist, you made your child's first dental appointment. Hooray! The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends scheduling a dental visit as soon as the child's first tooth appears. Still, it's never too late to take your kid to see the dentist. After you've completed the hard work of finding a kid-friendly dentist , you might wonder how to best prepare for your child's first dental visit. Check out these three simple steps and learn what you can expect once your kid's in the dental chair.

Step 1: Schedule the Dental Appointment

Try to schedule your child's first dentist appointment when they will be the least fussy, and make sure they are well-rested and fed before you arrive. While making the appointment, you can also ask about completing health history forms in advance and if the office will need any additional information to help limit the time waiting in the office. A quick call to your dental insurance provider can also confirm your coverage and determine if there will be any additional copays.

Step 2: Prepare for the Dental Appointment

A child's first dental visit should not be a surprise. Take some time to talk to your child about what will happen at the appointment. You can also read books or watch a television show about a friendly dental visit to help them visualize what it will be like. If your child is older, you can make a pretend trip to the dentist and practice opening their mouth wide to count their teeth. For more ambitious parents, the internet provides a variety of crafts to teach your children the importance of taking care of your teeth. Parents can also prepare for a child's first visit by completing any paperwork, writing down the child's medications, and making a list of any questions.

Step 3: Make the Dental Appointment Fun

Keeping a positive attitude and talking excitedly about the dental visit will go a long way in making your child feel comfortable instead of scared. However, if you sense your child is nervous, bring along a stuffed animal friend. The "friend" — or an older sibling — can go first, and the dental professional can demonstrate what will happen next or answer any of the child's questions. If your child still has dental anxiety , there are many things you can do to make them feel safe. Many dentists will provide a reward at the end of the appointment, but you may also want to pack a treat. Stickers, a new toothbrush, or a small toy all make great rewards.

What to Expect at Your Baby's First Dental Appointment

Depending on how comfortable — or wiggly — your child is, they may sit directly in the chair or in your lap. The dentist will check their jaw, teeth, and gums for proper development, cavities, or other issues. Either the dentist or dental hygienist will clean the child's teeth and provide education on how to properly take care of your child's teeth and gums. At the end of the appointment, the dentist can answer any questions you may have — from pacifier use to the best nutrition for healthy teeth.

Setting a positive precedent for dental appointments at an early age can help children create lifelong oral hygiene habits. By following these steps and taking the time to prepare for your child's first dental visit, you can help your child enjoy the dentist and look forward to future appointments.

Oral Care Center articles are reviewed by an oral health medical professional. This information is for educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist, physician or other qualified healthcare provider. 

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Your Baby's First Dental Visit

Your baby is hitting new milestones every day, and his or her first dental visit is another one to include in the baby book!

Your child’s first dental visit should take place after that first tooth appears , but no later than the first birthday. Why so early? As soon as your baby has teeth , he or she can get cavities. Being proactive about your child’s dental health today can help keep his or her smile healthy for life. (Need a dentist? Use our Find-A-Dentist tool to find one in your area.)

How to Prepare

Moms and dads can prepare, too. When making the appointment, it can’t hurt to ask for any necessary patient forms ahead of time. It may be quicker and easier for you to fill them out at home instead of at the office on the day of your visit.

Make a list of questions, as well. If your child is teething , sucking his or her thumb  or using a pacifier  too much, your dentist can offer some advice.

What to Expect During the Visit

If your child cries a little or wiggles during the exam, don’t worry. It’s normal, and your dental team understands this is a new experience for your child!

Tips for a Great Visit

• Don’t schedule an appointment during naptime. Instead, pick a time your child is usually well-rested and cooperative.
• Make sure your child has had a light meal and brushes their teeth before their appointment so they won’t be hungry during their visit.
• Save snacks for after the visit so they aren’t on your child’s teeth during the exam.
• Think of the appointment as a happy and fun experience. If your child becomes upset during the visit, work with your dentist to calm your child. You’re on the same team!

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Preparing Your Kid for Their First Visit to the Dentist

Dentist visits, like annual physicals, are a regular part of taking care of our health.

Explaining a dentist visit to a child—especially their first visit—should be simple and reassuring, helping them feel comfortable and prepared. It should also encourage checkups throughout their life.

We spoke to Amy Herbert, DDS, MHA , to learn more.

When should a child first see a dentist?

When the first tooth comes in, typically around six months, or by the time the child turns one.

What do all parents ask you about a child’s first dental appointments, and what do you tell them?

Why start going when children are young?

In addition to identifying early concerns, it is good to establish the practice of visiting the dentist and establishing a positive routine. This first appointment helps get a child used to visiting the dentist.

It is also an opportunity to teach a parent about their child’s oral health: various kinds of toothpaste, diet, and nutrition (snacking habits and food and drink choices), and when and how to brush effectively are discussed.

We may also talk about teething, non-nutritive sucking habits (thumb sucking and pacifier use), sippy cups, utensils, and transitioning to table food and regular cups.

After the first dentist visit, you always have someone to call if your child has a dental injury.

Is there a best time or day of the week for the first dentist visit?

Typically, the morning is the best time for young patients, not only because they are fresh and alert, but so is the caretaker!

Try to avoid taking your child to the dentist the same day you take them to the pediatrician or other doctor. It can be too much.

How long does the first dentist visit last?

30 to 45 minutes.

What happens at the first dentist’s visit, and how should a parent or caregiver explain it to a child?

Depending on their age and level of cooperation, the child may be seated on the parent’s lap or in the dentist’s chair on their own. Like all visits, the first visit usually includes an exam of the teeth, jaws, bite, gums, and oral tissues to check growth and development. If needed, a child may also have a gentle cleaning. This includes polishing teeth and removing any plaque, tartar, and stains.

The dentist should show the child and parent or caregiver how and when to properly clean teeth, floss, and brush at home. Sometimes, there may also be X-rays. But typically, they aren’t done until a child has contact between their teeth (they are touching). If there are any issues or concerns, the dentist will discuss treatment options.

What should I say or do for my kid to prepare them?

Here are a few things you might want to cover with your child:

• A dentist looks at your teeth and gums to see if everything is okay and healthy.
• A dentist—or dental hygienist—cleans teeth with special tools that remove tartar and plaque and floss and polish your teeth to help keep them healthy.
• “sugar bugs” (bacteria)
• “spinny brush” (handpiece)
• “vitamins for teeth” (fluoride treatment)
• Use a book to help
• Read books together about a character going to the dentist , such as Curious George Visits The Dentist  or Peppa Pig’s Dentist Trip .

What age should dental X-rays start?

X-rays usually start when the contact areas (where the teeth touch) are not visible. That’s typically after all primary teeth have come in. This happens at different ages. The schedule of follow-ups is decided based on individual risk and diagnoses.

If the dentist sees signs of decay or other pathology in the primary dentition, they may decide to take radiographs sooner.

Early loss of baby teeth can lead to other oral health issues. Additionally, untreated decay in baby teeth increases the likelihood of a child experiencing cavities in their permanent teeth.

What do all kids ask you, and what do you say?

Is it going to hurt?

To help them relax, we explain what will happen during the exam, show the instruments, and allow them to touch them if they wish. The key is explaining things in a language they can understand: “special pen” instead of the probe; “go for a ride” when manipulating the dental chair.

Preparing children and not surprising them is important.

What’s the best way to pick a dentist for your child?

Many people find their dentist by word of mouth, from their pediatrician, and by treatment philosophy. In addition, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Board of Pediatric Dentists have search tools on their websites.

Amy Herbert, DDS, MHA , is an assistant professor of dental medicine at Columbia.

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A child's first dental visit fact sheet.

When should your child first see a dentist? You can take your child at a younger age, but experts recommend taking your child within 6 months of the first tooth coming in (erupting), or by about 12 months at the latest.

At this time, the dentist can give you information on:

Baby bottle tooth decay

Infant feeding practices

Mouth cleaning

Pacifier habits

Finger-sucking habits

Prepare your child

If possible, schedule morning appointments so young children are alert and fresh.

Prepare a preschooler or older child for the visit by giving them a general idea of what to expect. You can tell them about the exam room, the instruments they might see, the face masks the dentist and hygienist may wear, and the bright exam light. Explain why it is important to go to the dentist. Build excitement and understanding.

Prepare yourself

Discuss your questions and concerns with the dentist. Remember that your feeling toward dental visits can be quite different from your child's. Be honest with your view of the dentist. If you have dental anxieties, be careful not to relate those fears or dislikes to your child. Parents need to give moral support by staying calm while in the dental exam room. Children can pick up parents' anxieties and become anxious themselves.

Prepare the dentist

If you don't know the dentist, interview the person first to see if they sound right for your child's needs and personality. At the first visit, give the dentist your child's complete health history. For a restoration visit, such as getting a cavity filled, tell the dentist if your child tends to be stubborn, defiant, anxious, or fearful in other situations. Ask the dentist how they handle such behavior. If you aren't comfortable with the answer, find another dentist.

Watch how your child reacts. Many parents are able to guess how their child will respond and should tell the dentist. Certain behaviors may be linked to your child's age:

10 to 24 months. Some securely attached children may get upset when taken from their parents for an exam.

2 to 3 years. A securely attached child may be able to cope with a brief separation from parents. In a 2-year-old, "no" may be a common response.

3 years. Three-year-olds may not be OK being apart from a parent when having a dental procedure, such as getting a cavity filled. This is because most 3-year-olds are not socially mature enough to separate from parents.

4 years. Most children should be able to sit in another room from parents for exams and treatment procedures.

The first visit

Your child's first dental visit is to help your child feel comfortable with the dentist. The first dental visit is recommended by 12 months of age, or within 6 months of the first tooth coming in. The first visit often lasts 30 to 45 minutes. Depending on your child's age, the visit may include a full exam of the teeth, jaws, bite, gums, and oral tissues to check growth and development. If needed, your child may also have a gentle cleaning. This includes polishing teeth and removing any plaque, tartar, and stains. The dentist may show you and your child correct home cleaning, such as flossing, and advise you on the need for fluoride. Baby teeth fall out, so X-rays aren’t often done. But your child's dentist may recommend X-rays to diagnose decay, depending on your child's age. X-rays are also used to see if the root of a jammed baby tooth may be affecting an adult tooth. In general, it is best that young children not have dental X-rays unless absolutely needed.

The second visit

Just like adults, children should see the dentist every 6 months. Some dentists may schedule visits more often, such as every 3 months. This can build comfort and confidence in the child. More frequent visits can also help keep an eye on a developmental problem. Talk to your dentist about payment options if the cost of dental care is a problem for you.

Protect your children's teeth at home

 Here are some tips to protect your children's teeth:

Before teeth come in, clean gums with a clean, damp cloth.

Start brushing with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and a very small amount of fluoride toothpaste (the size of a grain of rice) when your child's first tooth appears. Use a pea-sized dab of fluoridated toothpaste after 3 years of age. Children should spit after brushing. Encourage them not to swallow extra toothpaste.

Prevent baby bottle tooth decay. Only put breastmilk or formula in bottles. Don't give children a bottle of juice, soft drinks, or sweetened liquid.

Limit the time your child has a bottle. Children should finish bottles before going to sleep.

Encourage your child to use a cup around their first birthday.

Help your child brush their teeth until age 7 or 8. Have the child watch you brush and follow the same brushing pattern to reduce missed spots.

Limit foods and treats that increase tooth decay. This includes hard or sticky candies, fruit leather, and sweetened drinks and juice. Offer fruit rather than juice. The fiber in fruit tends to scrape the teeth clean. Juice just exposes the teeth to sugar.

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Shine Pediatric Dentistry

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Pediatric Dentistry in West Los Angeles

Shine Pediatric Dentistry is a kids dental office conveniently located in West LA serving Mar Vista, Culver City, Santa Monica,… read more

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“ Andrew is great with the kids, very informative, and makes sure the parents and kids are at ease during the visit. ” in 23 reviews

“ My daughter's was anxious about her visit, but Dr Huynh was so gentle she fell asleep under his care! ” in 13 reviews

“ I recently took my 2-year-old to his first dentist appointment at Shine and it was a great experience! ” in 3 reviews

About the Business

Shine Pediatric Dentistry is a pediatric dental office conveniently located in West LA serving Mar Vista, Culver City, Santa Monica, and all of Los Angeles. Our priority is high quality dentistry for all children and a positive experience for the whole family! Most insurances accepted. Afterschool and Saturday hours offered. Private rooms, convenient appointment times, free parking, and prizes for kids! …

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11687 National Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90064

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I wish this kind of dental office existed when I was a kid! My toddler loves coming here and Dr. Huynh and his staff are so friendly and professional. My daughter looks forward to her appointments here and is excited to go every 6 months for follow up. The little thoughtful touches (like a travel brush kit and toy at the end of the visit) here make the experience so calming and fun for our kid. The doctors and staff are also really attentive and give you lots of information to care for your child's teeth. They're really patient with all the questions and concerns that parents have. Thank you Shine!

Waiting area with books and toys

The little toy kiosk at the end of the visit

We were so hesitant to bring our toddler to a dentist for the first time but Dr. Andrew made the process so easy. He was incredibly gentle with our daughter and took his time explaining how to care for her teeth. We drive out of our way to see him but it's well worth it. Their office is incredibly professional, clean, and really modern. It is amazingly child-friendly and made what could have been a nervous trip to the dentist pretty fun. I'm lucky to have found a great dentist that my daughter will grow up seeing.

Dr. Andrew is great with the kids, very informative, and makes sure the parents and kids are at ease during the visit. I take both my kids there 2yr and 4 yr. Very clean new facilities.

Also the place is clean and spotless. All doctors and hygienists are super patient. Having tv inside each room, which help Kids to calm down

Dr. Andrew is an absolute top tier pediatric dentist! The office is always clean and staff are friendly. I brought my son last year for his extractions and he was crying for the most part, he was scared and did not want to do his extractions, but Dr. Andrew calmed him down and he did the extractions super quick. The recovery was fast and easy too, I was so impressed. We just came in yesterday for his cleaning and he was seen by Dr Welch. She's also amazing and caring. 10/10 we highly recommend!!

We love Dr. Andrew! Our son got all of his teeth really early, so we've been seeing him since my son was 8 months old, and we are thrilled to have our son under Dr. Andrew's care. He is thorough with information and is so gentle with kids. The staff is professional and lovely to chat with. The office is clean and tidy, even with all the children's toys in the waiting area. Such a great experience for the parent and the child!

We appreciate Dr.Andrew. My three kids 5 and under have seen him on an emergency visit, for treatments, and for regular check ups. The office is beautiful and clean. The staff is friendly and professional. I'm confident my kids dental health are in good hands.

We're so glad that our family friend recommended Dr. Andrew shortly after we moved to the area. The staff here are very friendly and Dr. Andrew is gentle and very thorough about the steps to ensure that our son has good oral health. The staff does a great job to ensure that the dentist is a fun place with toys and books so it's something that our son looks forward to visiting.

They provide sunglasses for eye protection and a television to entertain the kids while they complete their dental work.

I'm so happy we found Dr. Huynh at Shine Pediatric Dentistry. My son had his first dental appointment and it couldn't have gone smoother (and no crying might I add!) I did a lot of research prior to choosing Shine Pediatric Dentistry and there's a reason why we selected Dr. Huynh. He spoke with us on the phone and was very informative. We instantly felt comfortable and trusted him with our son. When we saw him for our first visit, he provided a lot of education on how to care for my sons incoming teeth and how to prevent any cavities from forming. He was very thorough in his examination and did an excellent job cleaning and explaining as he went. His staff were very friendly and made an effort to get to know our son. We're extremely happy with the care they provided. His office is very modern, has individual rooms, and are extremely clean! They have put a lot of thought into their space in order to make your child's visit an enjoyable one. They have toys, books, and tv's on the ceiling. Having a fun environment was something we really wanted in a dentist office for him. Shine pediatric dentistry is the entire package!

I've been taking my kids here for a little over a year now and I don't have a single complaint. Dr. Andrew is phenomenal, he has so much patience and is very knowledgeable. His bedside manner is a plus. He knows how to talk to kids and gain their trust, I wish I found him sooner. Very clean and spacious office, parking is in the back.

My toddler has had two visits with Dr. Huynh so far, and the experiences have been great. The most important things for me as a parent is to create positive associations with going to the dentist and avoiding care that is too aggressive. Dr. Huynh is informative and reasonable. As a parent himself, he demonstrates specific techniques to help us care for our daughter's teeth at home. My daughter gets a little toy and sticker at the end of her visit and enjoys going to "the dentist's house."

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Out of the Centre

Savvino-storozhevsky monastery and museum.

Zvenigorod's most famous sight is the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, which was founded in 1398 by the monk Savva from the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, at the invitation and with the support of Prince Yury Dmitrievich of Zvenigorod. Savva was later canonised as St Sabbas (Savva) of Storozhev. The monastery late flourished under the reign of Tsar Alexis, who chose the monastery as his family church and often went on pilgrimage there and made lots of donations to it. Most of the monastery’s buildings date from this time. The monastery is heavily fortified with thick walls and six towers, the most impressive of which is the Krasny Tower which also serves as the eastern entrance. The monastery was closed in 1918 and only reopened in 1995. In 1998 Patriarch Alexius II took part in a service to return the relics of St Sabbas to the monastery. Today the monastery has the status of a stauropegic monastery, which is second in status to a lavra. In addition to being a working monastery, it also holds the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum.

Belfry and Neighbouring Churches

Located near the main entrance is the monastery's belfry which is perhaps the calling card of the monastery due to its uniqueness. It was built in the 1650s and the St Sergius of Radonezh’s Church was opened on the middle tier in the mid-17th century, although it was originally dedicated to the Trinity. The belfry's 35-tonne Great Bladgovestny Bell fell in 1941 and was only restored and returned in 2003. Attached to the belfry is a large refectory and the Transfiguration Church, both of which were built on the orders of Tsar Alexis in the 1650s.  

To the left of the belfry is another, smaller, refectory which is attached to the Trinity Gate-Church, which was also constructed in the 1650s on the orders of Tsar Alexis who made it his own family church. The church is elaborately decorated with colourful trims and underneath the archway is a beautiful 19th century fresco.

Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is the oldest building in the monastery and among the oldest buildings in the Moscow Region. It was built between 1404 and 1405 during the lifetime of St Sabbas and using the funds of Prince Yury of Zvenigorod. The white-stone cathedral is a standard four-pillar design with a single golden dome. After the death of St Sabbas he was interred in the cathedral and a new altar dedicated to him was added.

Under the reign of Tsar Alexis the cathedral was decorated with frescoes by Stepan Ryazanets, some of which remain today. Tsar Alexis also presented the cathedral with a five-tier iconostasis, the top row of icons have been preserved.

Tsaritsa's Chambers

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is located between the Tsaritsa's Chambers of the left and the Palace of Tsar Alexis on the right. The Tsaritsa's Chambers were built in the mid-17th century for the wife of Tsar Alexey - Tsaritsa Maria Ilinichna Miloskavskaya. The design of the building is influenced by the ancient Russian architectural style. Is prettier than the Tsar's chambers opposite, being red in colour with elaborately decorated window frames and entrance.

At present the Tsaritsa's Chambers houses the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum. Among its displays is an accurate recreation of the interior of a noble lady's chambers including furniture, decorations and a decorated tiled oven, and an exhibition on the history of Zvenigorod and the monastery.

Palace of Tsar Alexis

The Palace of Tsar Alexis was built in the 1650s and is now one of the best surviving examples of non-religious architecture of that era. It was built especially for Tsar Alexis who often visited the monastery on religious pilgrimages. Its most striking feature is its pretty row of nine chimney spouts which resemble towers.

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3 children killed in apparent murder-suicide after mom let ex-partner take them to get food, police say

Three children, ages 9 to 13, were killed in what police believe is a murder-suicide after their mother agreed to let an ex-partner take them to get something to eat, officials in Georgia said.

A police officer patrolling Lucky Shoals Park in Gwinnett County, about 20 miles northeast of Atlanta, discovered the bodies of a man and three children shortly after 1 a.m. Wednesday in a vehicle parked on a walking trail.

Gwinnett County police identified the children as Arianny Rodriguez, 13, Chadal Rodriguez, 11, and Carlos Rodriguez, 9.

The suspect was identified as Jose Plasencia, 56, who was previously in a relationship with the children's mother.

Police said the mother was at the hospital because another one of her children had an unrelated injury. Plasencia was the father of the injured child, police said, and had met the mother and the children at the hospital.

"After some time the mother agreed to let the three children go with the suspect to grab a bite to eat while she remained at the hospital," police said in a statement on Facebook .

Gwinnett County Police Sgt. Michele Pihera called the incident a tragedy.

"Our officers are going to step aside and ... do the job to the fullest and make sure that they investigate this as if it were any other homicide. And try to, at least, bring some conclusion to the families who may be involved," Pihera told NBC affiliate WXIA  of Atlanta.

Minyvonne Burke is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News.

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• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. The Central Air Force Museum

2. Church of St. George

635th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment

635-й зенитно-ракетный полк

Military Unit: 86646

Activated 1953 in Stepanshchino, Moscow Oblast - initially as the 1945th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment for Special Use and from 1955 as the 635th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment for Special Use.

1953 to 1984 equipped with 60 S-25 (SA-1) launchers:

• Launch area: 55 15 43N, 38 32 13E (US designation: Moscow SAM site E14-1)
• Support area: 55 16 50N, 38 32 28E
• Guidance area: 55 16 31N, 38 30 38E

1984 converted to the S-300PT (SA-10) with three independent battalions:

• 1st independent Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion (Bessonovo, Moscow Oblast) - 55 09 34N, 38 22 26E
• 2nd independent Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion and HQ (Stepanshchino, Moscow Oblast) - 55 15 31N, 38 32 23E
• 3rd independent Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion (Shcherbovo, Moscow Oblast) - 55 22 32N, 38 43 33E

Disbanded 1.5.98.

Subordination:

• 1st Special Air Defence Corps , 1953 - 1.6.88
• 86th Air Defence Division , 1.6.88 - 1.10.94
• 86th Air Defence Brigade , 1.10.94 - 1.10.95
• 86th Air Defence Division , 1.10.95 - 1.5.98