Stand Out! - Add Kids' Day to Your Dental Practice

Dr. Cockley as a Lifeguard

Although Dr. Cockley does excellent cosmetic dentistry in our practice, family dentistry is a priority.  We cater to the youngest of our patients by having a "Kids' Day" four times per year.  This day is geared toward children age eight and younger and gives them a fun, positive experience in the dental office.

Each Kids' Day has it's own party theme and our entire staff dresses in costumes.  There are prizes, decorations, and lots of pictures being taken to make it a special day.  Because children in this age group can be seen in a relatively short period of time, Kids' Day frees up the hygiene schedule for adult appointments and keeps your schedule more consistent.  On average, in an eight hour day, we see 60-80 children.

Amber and Gina - Beach Day

How do we do it?

*Schedule your first Kids' Day when most children will be off school for a holiday - this also makes things more convenient for parents. 

*Make and send personalized invitations to each child - one week prior to their appointment ( the children love getting mail personally addressed to them)

*Put up all decorations the night before, if possible

*All operatories in the practice are used for hygiene that day

*Assistants seat each patient, update x-rays, and sit with patient until the next hygienist is available

*Hygienists move from room to room as needed, doing child prophies

*Dr. Cockley performs exam and applies the fluoride varnish

Pirates and Princesses Theme

*Assistant walks patient to the front desk and informs the patient's parent of any further treatment needed

*When not with a patient, assistants continuously "flip" rooms and sterilize instruments



*We also have small routing slips that we print just for that day to keep track of services provided, and any added notes that need to be recorded in the patient's chart

*Hygienists record chart notes at the end of the day or next day and refer back to the routing slips

*We consider children age three and younger a "happy visit" and do not charge them for this visit

Party Ideas:
*We find affordable decorations and prizes at orientaltrading.com and partycheap.com

*Have an area designated for parents, where you offer water, tea, coffee and snacks

*Make prize bags ahead and include hygiene supplies and a prize

Pajama Party Theme

*Hire a "balloon slinger" to make creative balloon animals and keep the kids entertained

*Or - Hire an artist to do face painting

*Take lots of photos throughout the day - the kids love seeing their photos displayed in the office at their next visit

Amber, Gina, and Christa

 - Kids' Day is also a great way to gain new patients.  Many parents hear about our Kids' Days from their friends and schedule their children for their first visit.  Many end up becoming new patients themselves because they had a great experience with their children.

 - Let your local newspaper know about your upcoming Kids' Day - they may write up an article about your office.  It's great free advertising.