What can I do to make my child less anxious about his or her
first visit to the dentist?
Parents play an important role in making their child's first
dental office visit a positive experience. Any anxiety displayed by
parents will be picked up by the child.
To help the dental visit go more smoothly:
- Tell your child about the visits but limit the amount of
details given. Answer any questions with simple, to-the-point
answers. Let the dentist answer more complex or detailed questions.
Dentists are trained to describe things to children in a
non-threatening way and in easy-to-understand language.
- Don't tell your child that something will hurt or be
painful.
- Don't tell your child about an unpleasant dental
experience that you've had.
- Stress to your child how important it is to maintain healthy
teeth and gums and that the dentist is a friendly doctor whose job
it is to help do this.
- Don't promise a reward for going to the dentist.
Keep in mind that it is perfectly normal for children to be
fearful -- some are afraid of being separated from their parents,
others are afraid of the unknown, others are afraid of being
injured. A dentist who treats children will know how to cope with
your child's fears and anxiety and put him or her at
ease.
What techniques might the dentist use to calm my anxious
child?
Children's fears can be expressed in a number of ways.
Some children may cry, others may throw temper tantrums. Dentists
use many techniques to ease children's fears, including the
following behavior management techniques:
- Voice control -- the dentist uses a friendly voice, which could
become firmer if necessary.
- Simple instructions -- the dentist will use simple words (tell,
show, do) to explain a procedure and may demonstrate the procedure
on a doll or another person before performing the procedure on the
child.
- Positive reinforcement -- the dentist will use praise and
compliments to reward good behavior.
- Distraction -- the dentist will tell stories or engage the
child in conversation to draw the child's attention away from
the work being completed.
- Nonverbal communication -- the dentist uses body language, such
as a simple smile or frown, to reinforce positive behavior and
discourage negative behavior.
- Sedation -- the dentist may use sedation to help the child
relax and be more comfortable, if necessary. The two most common
types of sedation that might be used in children are nitrous oxide
("laughing gas") or an oral sedative (such as Valium).