Visiting the dentist as children: preparing your children for the day

Taking your kids to a children’s dentist instead of one that treats primarily adults is a good idea, but you should still do your best to prepare your little ones for the visit. Many adults don’t like going to the dentist, so it stands to reason that children feel the same way. A children’s dentist knows all about treating young patients, but a child can feel anxious and unsure about what to expect once he sits in the dental chair. As a parent, he should do whatever he can to help his son or daughter feel comfortable.

Visiting the dentist is a necessary experience for a child, and one that will be repeated many times throughout his life. You want to be as positive as possible from the start, so your child will view the experience in a positive light.

Talk to your children’s dentist before your scheduled appointment date and find out if it’s possible to bring your children early so they can check out the office. This can help calm their fears and make them feel more comfortable when the day of the appointment arrives. Show your child the chair she will sit in and demonstrate how the chair moves up and down. Also, ask if the dentist or hygienist can point out things to your children that might make them feel better about the next visit.

Check your local library or a nearby bookstore to see if you can find a book on how to get a dental checkup. Read the book to your children so they are familiar with what will happen when they arrive at the dental office to have their teeth examined.

Role play can help prepare your young children to go to the dental office. Create an imaginary children’s dentist office in your home. You be the doctor and let your child be the patient. Prepare props, such as using a sofa for the chair they will sit on and a lamp for light. Put a bib on your child, ask him to open his mouth and pretend you are examining his teeth by counting each and every one of them. Tell your child that the dentist can use some small tools while he looks at his teeth and can use a mirror to help take a closer look at each individual tooth.

Once you have done this, reverse the roles: you will be the patient and your child will have the opportunity to be the doctor. This is important, because it helps your little one gain confidence to properly face his first oral check-up.