Set the Stage for a Positive Dental Visit for Your Child

by Kimberly Blaker

The earlier your child begins going to the dentist, the better. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a first visit should be by the time your child turns one or within 6 months of when the first tooth erupts. At this stage, your child's visit will be quick, simple, and pain-free. Providing your child early positive experiences will help your child establish a great relationship with your dentist.

According to Dr. Kelli Jobman, a Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist at Black Hills Pediatric Dentistry, the age-one dental visit is the best way to establish a good relationship with your dentist! This first appointment will be a lap exam with a parent in a consult room. It will include education, tips for brushing/ flossing, when teeth will erupt, nutritional recommendations, and allow parents to ask questions. “It is a great opportunity to get to know your dentist. We want to set the patient and parents up for success and the prevention of dental decay,” says Dr. Jobman.

Depending on your child's age and the dental office policies, many dentists will ask you to remain in the lobby during your child's checkup. Typically, this is recommended for children over the age of 3. There's good reason for this. Separating a child from parents usually results in fuller cooperation from children. This can go a long way toward a more positive experience for your child.

When your child is placed in the care of the dental staff, they'll try to make your child's first experience fun and informative. The dentist will explain and demonstrate routine procedures to your child and then perform those procedures. Your child quickly learns the dentist is someone to trust.

Down the road, if your child needs non-routine dental work, the dentist will work with your child in a similar fashion to help alleviate fears.

If you're still concerned with sending your child in alone, call and ask to speak with the dentist or hygienist. Avoid causing your child alarm, and make the call in private so your child doesn't pick up on your anxiety. Explain your specific concerns so the dentist can address and alleviate your worries.

Approaching scared or uncooperative children

For a variety of reasons, some children become fearful or uncooperative during a visit to the dentist. If your child arrives unprepared or senses your anxiety, your child may develop undue worry. A previous experience could also cause stress. Children who are ill or have a physical or mental disability, a behavioral disorder, or developmental delay may also be challenging to treat. Whatever the reason, the way your dentist handles your child's fears and behavior is vital to your child's emotional well being and ability to cope with future visits.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry has developed guidelines for behavior management that dentists should follow. Your dentist should use the communication techniques learned in dental school, including positive reinforcement, distraction, voice control, non-verbal communication, and the tell-show-do approach. Pediatric dentists are specialists in treating children and attended 2-3 years of additional education and training. “We all have unique approaches in making the appointment fun. My trick is singing. I love to let the kids pick their favorite Disney song, and I sing away while we find those sugar bugs! It is a fun way to get the child involved and make it a positive experience.” says Dr. Jobman.

These techniques all help reassure patients and gain their trust.In most cases, these approaches are sufficient, leading to visits that end on a positive note. If a practitioner lacks the expertise for handling a situation, your child should be referred to a dentist with the appropriate skills.

Prevent an experience that heightens your child’s fears by being proactive

• Contact your state’s board of dentistry when choosing a practitioner to make sure no disciplinary actions have been taken.

• Inform your dentist of any medical, behavior, or other conditions that might affect your child’s visit. That way the dentist can communicate with your child accordingly.

• Pediatric dentists have specialized training for dealing with situations that can arise with children. If you suspect your child may have difficulty with dental visits, seek a pediatric dentist.

Tips to get your child on the right track

Tell your child about the benefits of going to the dentist to help keep their teeth strong and healthy and so they'll have a nice smile.

Visit your dentist’s website! Often there are video tours to get them familiar with the office. They can also see pictures of their dentist and staff.

Read to your child before their first visit to the dentist. Try one of the following:

• Why We Go to the Dentist by Rosalyn Clark

• The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist by Stan Berenstain and Jan Berenstain

• Celebrate! Going to the Dentist by Sophia Day

• Dentist Trip (Peppa Pig) by Scholastic

• Curious George Visits the Dentist by H.A. Rey

Also, express positive feelings about your own dental experiences. Don't discuss non-routine procedures such as fillings. Explain to your child the basic procedures your child will undergo. For example, the dentist will count your child's teeth and look at them with a tiny mirror. Avoid frightening terminology.

As your child grows, if you have concern over a possible cavity, don't give your child too much information. This can result in undo anxiety. Your dentist should have the experience and expertise to talk to your child about such procedures in a manner that alleviates any anxiety your child might experience.

If your child is anxious, don't try to soothe your child by lying about a procedure or possible pain. Instead, try to alleviate fears that may be out of proportion to the situation.

Finally, if you know you’ll be attending your child throughout the procedure (speak to your dentist first to confirm this), you can offer your hand to squeeze. BHW