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2006 Press Releases

Keep Smiling!
Your Child's First Visit to the Dentist Should be the Start of a Lifetime of Good Dental Health.

LONG BRANCH, NJ, June 9, 2006 - Alexandra Spano was not impressed.

Not with the brightly colored, child-friendly waiting room.

Not with the adjoining space, chock full of games, toys and even an arcade machine.

Not even with her name on the dry erase board welcoming her as a new patient.

"I don't know about this," the 4-year-old said, wrapping her arms around her mother's legs and hiding her face. "Maybe we can go."

"Don't worry," older sister Taylor, 8, said, comforting her sibling. "It really is going to be fun."

Twenty minutes later, a smiling and giggling Allie, as she is called, was back, a balloon crafted hat on her head and a goody bag in her hands.

"It was fun," the Jackson resident said, showing a toothy grim. "Going to the dentist is fun."

Pediatric dentist Madeline Badalaty, who's been in practice for 17 years, knows the apprehension many first-time, pint-size patients may feel.

"It's something new," the Ocean Township-based dentist said, "so it's my job to make the first visit — and every visit — the best it can be."

Taking 4-year-old Allie's hand in her own at the start of the visit, Badalaty led the young girl into the examination room and helped her into the chair.

"Now, I have a rule for you," Badalaty said, looking her young charge in the eye. "I want you to keep your hands on your tummy all the time."

Allie looked perplexed at first, but Badalaty made a silly face and was rewarded with a small giggle.

Swiveling her stool around, Badalaty turned to Allie's mom, Tresa.

"And I have a rule for you — you're not allowed to talk unless I ask you a question," she explained. "This visit is all about Alexandra."

For the next 15 minutes, Badalaty, who is also chairman of pediatric dentistry at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, worked her dental magic, examining Allie's teeth, cleaning them, providing a fluoride treatment and talking to Allie about the importance of brushing her teeth. Each step was done in a child-friendly way, explained in terms the young girl could easily understand.

When it came time for fluoride, Badalaty explained she was "painting on some vitamins for your teeth.

"Now you can't eat or drink for an hour," Badalaty said, "because we have to let the vitamins do their work. Do you understand?"

An enthusiastic head nodding let Badalaty know her message was received loud and clear.

For the majority of the visit, all attention was on Allie and her teeth.

At one point, though, Badalaty made a point to talk to Tresa Spano.

Noticing a bit of gingivitis on Allie's gum, Badalaty turned and explained that the young girl — and her mom — needed to go to toothbrushing school.

"It's important to brush correctly," Badalaty explained, "and while she can brush by herself in the morning, I really want you or your husband to brush her teeth at night."

Finding a teachable moment, Badalaty went on to explain that until a child is 7 or 8 years old, their fine motor skills have not yet developed.

"We just want to practice good dental health," Badalaty.

And seemingly before she could spell tooth fairy, Allie's first dental examination was over.

But not the visit.

Pulling a balloon from her pocket, Badalaty began to blow. Several big blows later, Badalaty tied off the end.

"Look, it's a sword," Badalaty, gesturing with the balloon.

A few twist laters . . . "Look, it's the number nine."

Turning the twisted balloon upside down . . . "Look, it's the number six."

Finishing up with a flourish and a twist, Badalaty placed the balloon on Allie's head.

"Now you have a hat," Badalaty said.

But there was more.

"Here's your goody bag," the dentist said, handing Allie a bag filled with a toothbrush, toothpaste, magnet and more. "And now you can pick a prize."

Allie debated for several minutes, fingering a variety of trinkets, before finally making a selection.

"I'm not telling," she said, "it's a surprise."

While she may not have revealed the goody she selected, that wasn't the case when it came to talking about her first visit to the dentist.

"It was good, really good," Allie said. "I think I'll come back."

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