Our longtime friend, a dental-school graduate, was taken aback.

"Is Hawai'i the only state without fluoridated water?" she asked incredulously during a visit last year. She peered suspiciously at her glass of tap water.

For the record, only one other state, Utah, has a population that is less fluoridated than Hawai'i. About to become a first-time mother, I added "future state of my child's teeth" to my ever-growing list of things over which to worry.

When our daughter was just a tad older than 2 months and still toothless, I asked my dentist when I should bring her in for her first exam.

"You have plenty of time," he assured. My own mom concurred, stating that she had not brought me in until I was 3. Even my husband, a cardiologist, remained laissez-faire.

Times have changed, however, and a little research revealed that the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry now recommends that the initial visit be completed around age 1. Stories of "baby bottle mouth" and toddler caries had me with my tot entering the dental office for an inaugural check-up shortly after her first birthday.

Having never been tainted by watching "Finding Nemo" or "Little Shop of Horrors," my little one initially was all smiles and waves. Kids upon kids in the waiting room! Friendly gowned grownups, doling out attention! Bright lights and shiny objects!

The dentist was prepared, too. After captivating my daughter with a sticker, he opened a drawer chock-full of balls, bubbles and other multicolored goodies.

"After you come back, you can choose a toy," he cajoled.

The tempted tyke gazed with great interest at the drawer's plastic delights, not thinking to wonder where she was headed next.

Once in the exam room, the chair with its up-and-down mechanism seemed fun at first. But why did she need to recline and open wide?

"WAAAH!"

Never one to let others easily put anything, even a spoon, into her mouth, she fought the exam and the fluoride treatment with tears and a loud cry.

After a few long minutes, it was over. The wee patient received another sticker, but this time her expression was sullen. The pronouncement of a clean bill of dental health, which to me made all of the previous brushing challenges worth it, did not impress her. Even the coveted toy prize was greeted with an indignant "hmmph."

My daughter did seem to be quite taken with her new toothbrush, but perhaps she was only gripping it tightly so that no one would stick it in her mouth unbidden again.

As we exited, I hastened her past the youngster in the waiting area who was wailing, "I don't want to! I don't want to go in!"

Thankfully, a 1-year-old's memory is short. Once we were home, she even began trying out (well, chewing on) the new toothbrush. Then she let loose one of those endearing, half-full-of-teeth toddler grins, and I felt grateful for the dental profession.

Anyone who can keep those teeth healthy and preserve that lovely smile gets a plus in my book.

I've already scheduled her next checkup.

Monica Quock Chan is a freelance writer who lives in Honolulu with her husband and daughter.

Reach Monica Quock Chan at (Unknown address).