Watch the Segment

Originally aired July 11, 2025 on KTVU FOX 2

As summer winds down and backpacks come out of storage, there’s one back-to-school essential many families overlook: a dental checkup. Dr. Erin Shah, a trusted pediatric dentist and passionate oral health advocate, recently appeared on KTVU to share helpful tips with parents on how to set their children up for a healthy, confident school year—starting with their smiles.

Why Back-to-School Dental Visits Matter

In the segment, Dr. Shah emphasizes that the weeks leading up to the first day of school are the perfect time to schedule a dental checkup. Summer often comes with extra sweet treats, disrupted routines, and a little too much leniency around brushing—especially after long days, camping, or travel. These habits can sneak up on families, and Dr. Shah has noticed more early cavities forming in kids as young as two or three.

"Over half of children experience their first cavity before kindergarten," Dr. Shah shares. "That first dental visit is such an important opportunity to catch problems early, teach good habits, and make going to the dentist a positive experience."

Gentle Guidance for Healthy Habits

Dr. Shah also spoke about the conversations she has with families during back-to-school visits. These appointments are a great chance to reset daily routines and get back to basics:

• Morning and evening brushing with parent involvement

• Flossing daily, especially once teeth begin to touch

• Using a preventive toothbrush and age-appropriate toothpaste

• Encouraging parents to help kids under age 9 to ensure brushing is thorough

Her biggest takeaway? Prevention is key. “Imagine how hard it is as an adult to have a dental problem—now imagine being three years old,” she says. Her team works hard to make each visit gentle, encouraging, and educational so even the youngest patients feel safe and supported during restorative work. Her main goal is to prevent tooth problems by staying proactive and helping parents stay ahead of oral hygiene so children can keep their smiles healthy.

How Long Should Kids Brush?

When asked about brushing time, Dr. Shah explains that while the textbook answer is two minutes, for some younger kids, it’s really about quality over quantity. “Some kids don’t even have all their teeth yet—so it’s okay if you spend less time,” she says. “Just make sure you’re brushing each tooth with intention.”

She recommends using simple, fun counting methods like saying “one-one-thousand” on the front and “one-one-thousand” on the back for each tooth. This helps kids stay engaged throughout the process. Of course, two minutes is the gold standard for a full set of teeth!

Plan Ahead for Healthy Smiles

Dr. Shah encourages parents to book appointments early, especially if this isn’t their first school season. Pediatric offices often fill up quickly in late summer, and starting the year with a clean bill of health can help kids feel confident in the classroom, and satisfy the California requirement for a completed Oral Health Evaluation form.

Additionally, early and regular checkups help identify issues before they become big problems. ”When we catch small things early, we can address them more gently—and that helps prevent bigger issues later,” Dr. Shah explains.

Once the school year starts, parents can expect after-school appointments to be more challenging to come by. After-school appointments are extremely popular once school is in session, so that kids aren’t missing class. We try to maximize the number of after-school appointments available, but if your child needs an appointment during school hours, we provide an excuse note that is accepted by the local schools.

Compassionate Care from a Trusted Pediatric Dentist

Dr. Shah’s appearance on KTVU reflects the heart of her practice: family-centered, preventive-focused dental care that meets kids where they are. Her team uses gentle technologies like SOAN Electronic Local Anesthesia to reduce anxiety and provide a more comfortable experience for children of all ages.

Whether it’s your child’s first dental visit or their tenth, Dr. Shah is committed to making it positive, educational, and empowering so your child can step into the school year with a healthy smile and the tools to maintain it.

Ready to Get School-Ready?

Join our dental family and schedule your child’s back-to-school checkup today. We can’t wait to help them smile bright this school year.