First Trip to the Dentist | Concord/Clayton Family Photographer

I’ve been so excited to put these on the blog!  By now you all know how I feel about taking pictures of children – I want to capture the experience, the feelings, the wonder of all things childhood.  It’s always an honor to photograph other families and to capture those kinds of moments for them.  But it’s such a privilege for me when I can do it for my own children.  I want to make sure that they (actually, mostly me ) have the opportunity to re-live these events that are so special and go by so fast.  Taking pictures of children – especially my own – to me is SO important!  It’s more than just a good thing to do; it’s a way of shaping a memory.

Last month, Lucy and Luke had their first trip to the dentist!  I wanted to remember the new-ness of the experience.  I wanted to capture what it was like to go to the dentist for the very first time.

We went to the offices of Dr. Rissel and Dr. Renner.  This office is special for many reasons – Rocky the dog is there to put the kids at ease.  They have tortoise roaming around outside the sliding glass doors on a enclosed patio.  They have a room with a million stickers.  They have toys and a treasure chest!  They have pencils and stick on tatoos!  But mostly, it’s a special place because they work extremely hard at making a child’s experience to the dentist a positive one.

And they have hit the nail on the head.

I don’t know who was more nervous – me or the kids!  But all of us left with smiles, and the kids can’t wait to go back.  If you are looking for a pediatric dentist – call them!!!  To top it all off, they have years of experience.  This is the same office Chris and Brian visited as children!  They have the experience to back it up .

Dr. Rissel and Dr. Renner

2875 Willow Pass Rd

Concord, CA  94519
Ph: 925-689-2800

First, things first, they gave the kids goodie bags and 3 stickers each!!!!

Then on to X-Ray’s.  But before they did anything, the let the kids touch and feel the bite plates:

Then of course…more stickers!!!  And the chance to choose the flavor of the polish.

They did an excellent job of letting the kids experience in small doses what was about to happen.  Here Lucy is feeling on her hand what they were about to do in her mouth:

Then it’s Luke’s turn!

This might be my favorite!  Luke was so intrigued with his x-rays!!!

And then they were seen by the dentist!!!

We left with stickers gallore, a goodie bag full of treats, and special pictures of the kids with the dentist they took and mounted on special paper.  Lucy asked why they would do that.  I replied, most mommies don’t take their camera to the dentist office!

Oh, did I tell you I left with a new mug, toothbrushes AND a $15 Starbucks card!

Thank you all for a fabulous experience!!!