QUESTION: When should children start going to the dentist? And what can be done to make the experience less stressful than it is for me?ANSWER: As soon as your baby has teeth, you can take her to the dentist. Fortunately, unless your child needs dental work, the exams probably won't last any more than a minute or so, until he's three.Still, like most new things, the first trip to the dentist can be kind of scary — especially if she gets the idea that you don't like going. So start preparing your toddler several weeks in advance. Tell her you're going to a special doctor who is going to count her teeth and take some pictures of them. You might also want to check out of the library one or two books on going to the dentist. Though you shouldn't ever lie to your child about what is going to happen at the dentist's office, make a special point to stay away from words that might frighten her, such as drill, needle, shot, and pain. And save all of your personal dental horror stories until she's a teenager.If your dentist is pretty child friendly or you belong to a family practice, bring your child along on one of your routine exams. The dentist will probably let her ride up and down in the chair a few times, give her a sugar-free lollipop and a couple of stickers or a toy, and maybe take a very quick look at her teeth. That's it. See you both in six months. After three or four visits like that your child may actually look forward to seeing the dentist. And the fact that you (and maybe your partner and any older siblings) are seeing the same dentist, will reinforce the positive experience.If your dentist isn't used to seeing children, find a local pediatric practice. At my daughters' dentist, the waiting rooms are filled with toys and bowls of fruit. The furniture is all bright colors and kid-friendly patterns. In the examining room there are televisions mounted on the ceiling so the kids can watch videos while their teeth are being cleaned. And in the x-ray area, kids sit on a horse — complete with saddle and stirrups — instead of a regular chair. What I want to know is, where was all this when I was a kid?Despite all the attempts to distract you're her, your child may still scream, squirm, and try to escape. Don't be embarrassed. Any good pediatric dentist and her staff see the same little show a hundred times a day.Some dentists think it's a good idea to have parents in the examining room with their children; others think it's a rotten idea. Fortunately, you know your child better than anyone, so you know whether you need to hold her hand or do everyone a service by waiting in the car.Armin Brott is the author of many best-selling books on fatherhood, and is the host of DaddyCast, a new podcast available at www.mrdad.com. Email him at arminmrdad.com.