Your Child's First Dental Visit in Twinsburg, OH
What to Expect at Great Beginnings Pediatric Dentistry
Great Beginnings Pediatric Dentistry is where Northeast Ohio families come when they want oral health care that goes beyond a dental cleaning and a sticker. We are an airway-focused, board-certified pediatric dental practice. Every visit, from your baby’s very first exam to your grade schooler’s bi-annual checkup, is designed to look at the whole child. We check teeth, as well as how your child breathes, sleeps, swallows, and grows, because it’s all connected.
We are accepting new patients ages 12 years and under, and every child who walks through our doors is welcome here, including children with sensory sensitivities, anxiety, autism spectrum disorders, and special health care needs.
Below you will find answers to common questions before your first appointment.
FAQs for your first visit to Great Beginnings Pediatric Dentistry
When should my child have their first dental visit?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends your child see a dentist when the first tooth erupts, and no later than their first birthday. This is sometimes called the 1+1=0 rule: a first dental visit by age one equals zero cavities. They also recognize the importance of an airway-evaluation in the first year of a child’s life. Infants who are struggling to nurse and/or bottle feed are encouraged not to wait for that first tooth. We see infants when they are only days old to help address possible tongue ties and/or lip ties.
Your child’s first dental visit is about much more than checking teeth. Dr. Rachel Rosen uses it to assess how your baby’s tongue, lips, and airway are developing and functioning, answer your questions about feeding and oral hygiene, and establish a dental home before problems have a chance to start. Think of your pediatric dentist as your child’s second pediatrician, partnering with you to guide them toward a lifetime of healthy breathing and smiles.
At what age should my child get their first tooth?
All children are different, but most children get their first tooth between 6-12 months of age. Some children, however, get teeth earlier while others celebrate their first birthday with a gummy smile. Usually the first baby teeth to erupt are the front bottom teeth, and by age 3, most children have a full set of primary (i.e., baby) teeth. No matter when your child gets their first tooth, it’s important to schedule their first dental visit at first tooth or first birthday, so a board-certified pediatric dentist can evaluate how your child’s, teeth, jaws, and airway are developing.
What is airway-focused pediatric dentistry at Great Beginnings Pediatric Dentistry?
Airway dentistry looks at how your child’s breathing affects their oral health, jaw and facial development, sleep quality, cavity risk, speech, eating patterns, and overall health and growth. It also strives to get at root causes of common oral health issues like crowded and/or misaligned teeth, frequent cavities, teeth grinding, and high palate. At Great Beginnings, airway awareness is built into every visit.
As Ohio’s only Breathe Ops Affiliate, Dr. Rachel Rosen has trained at the highest level in airway-focused care. If your child snores, grinds their teeth, mouth breathes, or has been flagged for sleep disordered breathing, we can help evaluate what role their oral health and airway development may be playing. We work closely with a network of ENTs, myofunctional therapists, occupational therapists, feeding specialists, orthodontists, and other airway-focused providers to build a coordinated care plan when one is needed.
Do I need a referral to have my child seen for a tongue tie or lip tie evaluation?
No referral is needed to schedule your child for a tongue tie and/or lip tie evaluation at Great Beginnings Pediatric Dentistry.
Dr. Rachel Rosen is Ohio’s only Breathe Ops Affiliate, surgically trained directly under Dr. Soroush Zaghi at The Breathe Institute. Her approach to tongue tie is functional, not just visual, evaluating how the tongue moves and works, not just how it looks. She also does not work in isolation. Tongue tie care at GBPD is a coordinated care model. Dr. Rachel works closely with feeding specialists, lactation consultants, occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, myofunctional therapists, ENTs, and other providers to make sure your child gets a complete, well-supported plan, not just a tongue tie release.
Referrals are welcome, too. If your lactation consultant, speech therapist, occupational therapist, or other provider has expressed concern that a tongue tie and/or lip tie may be present, we welcome their referral and insights.
Do you see children with special health care needs?
Yes. All children are welcome at Great Beginnings, regardless of their unique abilities. Our team has advanced training in supporting children with sensory sensitivities, anxiety, autism spectrum disorders, developmental delays, and other special health care needs. We offer pre-visit office tours, desensitization visits and events, smart scheduling that works with your child’s routine, and in-office sedation when needed. Our office is fully wheelchair accessible with large family-style bathrooms available.
What should I expect at my child's first dental visit to Great Beginnings Pediatric Dentistry?
When you arrive for your first dental visit, the gbpd team will welcome you warmly and give you a tour of office, pointing out fun pictures and the famous toy tower.
The visit includes a cleaning, full exam, fluoride-hydroxyapatite varnish treatment, and x-rays if age and comfort level make them appropriate. The team uses tell-show-do throughout, kid-friendly terms replace clinical ones, movie screens overhead keep little eyes occupied, and families are invited into the open bay area throughout. For infants and toddlers, a lap exam is usually in order, and your little one will be placed on a padded mat between you and Dr. Rachel. You’ll be encouraged to hold your child’s hands and reassure them during the exam.
Dr. Rachel Rosen’s exam is airway-informed, so expect questions that go deeper than teeth, and be sure to bring all your questions, too. Every visit ends with a trip to the toy tower and a clear plan for next steps for optimal oral and airway health.
What should I bring to my child's first appointment?
To make check-in as smooth as possible, please complete all new patient paperwork electronically at least 48 hours prior to your child’s visit. You will receive link via email and text for you to complete at home at your convenience. Then when you arrive, you simply need to bring the following:
- Your dental insurance card
- Your child’s favorite plush friend or fidget toy
- Your questions for the doctor
Please note that if you prefer not to use electronic forms, kindly arrive 30 minutes prior to your child’s appointment time to complete forms.
Why does my child need another exam if my referring dentist already told us what my child needs?
Dr. Rachel Rosen conducts her own full evaluation at every first visit, including patients who come with a referral from another dentist. This exam is not a repeat of what your dentist already did. As an airway-focused, board-certified pediatric dentist, Dr. Rachel evaluates your child’s teeth alongside their tongue function, airway development, breathing patterns, and bite. That full picture shapes not just what treatment is recommended, but how and when it is approached.
Although same-day treatment is sometimes possible, it is not the norm. Dr. Rachel’s goal is to set your child up for success by making sure you fully understand your options and have the chance to ask every question before any treatment begins. From there, a treatment plan is developed and scheduled at a time that works for your family.
How do I make an appointment?
The fastest way to get on the schedule at Great Beginnings Pediatric Dentistry is to call us at (330) 425-1885. We are open Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You can can also submit a Request an Appointment form on our website, and a team member will follow up to get you scheduled.
Does Great Beginnings Pediatric Dentistry accept dental insurance?
Yes, we accept employer-based dental insurance plans. We are in network with Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Lincoln Financial, Delta Dental, and Cigna Total Plus plans. Many families also utilize and are happy with the reimbursement rates using Aetna and other Cigna dental plans. We are not a provider for any state-sponsored plans.
What Twinsburg Families Are Saying About Dental Visits at Great Beginnings Pediatric Dentistry
Recognized as a Top Dentist in Cleveland OH
Voted a Parent Choice Awards Winner for Best Children's Dentist
