Knee To Knee Exam

The Knee-to-Knee Method

Children appreciate having a parent present during care. We encourage a parent’s presence for all new patient examinations.

For young children, toddlers, and infants, we want to provide a safe and effective technique to thoroughly examine and provide care. The knee-to-knee or lap-to-lap method allows us to accomplish this.

If you feel that you (the parent/guardian) may be physically, mentally, or emotionally uncomfortable or unable to complete this technique, we ask that you tell us immediately. If this is the case, we will ask you if you would be happy reserving the appointment for an adult family member whom you trust and who can comfortably help us provide care for your child using the knee-to-knee position. You must be present if you are a new patient. If this does method does not work for you and you desire a different approach for you and your child, we would be happy to recommend other pediatric dentists in the area.

Knee-to-Knee Position

• You will sit across from Dr. Jordan, or a member of her Team.
• You will sit facing each other with knees touching.
• Your child will sit on your lap facing you, tummy-to-tummy.
• Your child’s legs will straddle your waist so that your elbows, or the sides of your arms, can be used to secure your child’s legs safely against your side.
• You will lay your child’s head back onto the dental providers lap and onto a soft cushion.
• Jordan will hold and support your child’s head so that you are free to hold your child’s hands.
• Jordan will examine all soft tissue (lips, frena, gingival tissues, cheeks, tongue, and palate), teeth (which teeth are present, soon to erupt, dental anomalies, caries if present, hygiene, occlusion/bite), and will lastly complete a thorough cleaning with fluoride if appropriate (even at a young age, calculus/tarter is heavily present, and plaque).
• After the cleaning, we will complete a discussion of her findings including tips/techniques for at-home brushing and flossing, use of pacifiers, bottle feeding/nursing.

We Recommend the Knee-to-Knee Position

Completing our patient’s preventative care is very important to your child’s health.

Regardless of our patient’s age or cooperation, if preventive care can be provided safely with the assistance of a parent, or a parent’s elective representative, it should be provided. Completing preventive services sends a positive message to our young patients. Patients allowed to complete preventive care with this encouraging assistance realize that it is not painful or scary.We believe that not providing preventive care to an uncooperative child, rewards that child for behavior meant to influence us from providing necessary care.

Dr. Jordan strongly believes that completing early dental appointments will allow the child to learn that going to the dentist is easy and fun. Getting them used to the dental setting early is the key to establishing positive attitudes. This is why Dr. Jordan believes that no exceptions can be given when it comes to ensuring a healthy child.

• Encourage, positive reinforcement, and praise is our secret!