I think two is a fine age to take a child to the dentist. I let my kids brush their teeth however they like to give them practice. You can have them pretend their teeth are tracks and their brush is a train. I always brush their teeth afterwards though. One way I got them willing to let me brush their teeth is by giving them my tooth brush and asking them to brush my teeth while I brush theirs. This is great fun for them. Not so fun for me, but it's worth it because I know they are getting their teeth clean and there is no resistance. After a while I don't need to do this. They become used to getting their teeth brushed. Every once in a while I still have to let them brush my teeth, but more often than not they just let me do it now. Just as important as brushing I think is to limit as much as possible anything with sugar.
Oh I agree with you, good advice