Making the dentist a normal part of growing up.
How a child feels about the dentist at age five tends to stick with them. We take first visits seriously — not with cartoon murals and over-the-top enthusiasm, but with patience, honesty at their level, and enough time that nobody feels rushed. A lot of our young patients are children of patients we've seen for years.
First visits
We recommend bringing kids in around age 1 — the Canadian Dental Association's guideline, and ours too. Early visits are short and low-key: we count their teeth, check how things are growing in, and mostly let them sit in the chair and look around. No drilling, no surprises. If they want to hold a mirror and watch, great. If they'd rather sit in your lap, that's fine too. Every child leaves with a small gift — it's a tradition we've kept for as long as anyone can remember.
Preventive care for kids
Once permanent molars come in (usually around age six), we recommend sealants — a thin protective coating that fills the grooves where cavities most often start. Fluoride treatments strengthen enamel during the years teeth are most vulnerable. Both are quick, comfortable, and covered by many insurance plans. We also make free custom sports guards for kids in organised or school sports. A custom-fitted guard is more comfortable than a boil-and-bite one, which in practice means they're more likely to actually wear it.
When things come up
Kids get cavities, chip teeth at the playground, and knock things loose in hockey. For cavities in baby teeth, we treat based on the tooth's timeline — if it's about to fall out naturally, we may watch rather than fill. For injuries, call us and we'll fit them in as quickly as we can. If your child is nervous about treatment, we start slow and use techniques like tell-show-do to keep them comfortable.
Building habits
We spend time talking to kids directly about brushing and flossing — not lecturing, but showing them what the inside of their mouth looks like on our intra-oral camera. It's surprisingly effective. Most kids are fascinated rather than grossed out, and a child who understands why they're brushing is more likely to do it without being asked.
Common questions
What age should my child first visit the dentist?+
Around age 1. Earlier if you see discolouration, swelling, or anything unusual. The first visit is gentle and designed to build comfort.
Do you sedate children?+
For routine work, no — patience and communication usually work better. For extensive treatment on a very anxious child we can discuss nitrous oxide (laughing gas), and where a case is better handled by a paediatric specialist we'll say so and arrange the referral.
Are sports guards really free?+
Yes, for kids in organised or school sports. We take impressions and make a custom-fitted guard at no charge. Ask reception when you book so we can allow time for it.
Related services
Family Dentist in Yellowknife
We see a lot of families where the parents came in first and now bring their kids — and in a few cases, their parents too. Family dentistry means everyone comes to the same place and we know your family's dental history. Your five-year-old's first checkup and your mom's crown replacement happen down the same hallway. When something does need a specialist, we'll say so and arrange the referral.
Emergency Dentist in Yellowknife
A cracked tooth at a hockey game, a filling that lets go on a Saturday morning, pain that wakes you up at three — these things don't wait for a convenient time. Call us and we'll triage it and get you in as quickly as we can, often the same day. Outside opening hours, use the emergency line.
Ready when you are.
Book online any time, or call reception and we’ll find you a slot. In pain? Say so when you call and we’ll get you seen as soon as we can.