It’s not uncommon for children to experience a little bit of fear or anxiety at the idea of visiting the dentist. But some people become so afraid of visiting the dentist that they avoid dental treatment at all costs. As a parent, how can you ensure that your child does not develop a debilitating fear of visiting the dentist? Allen Daniels, DDS, of Bright Dental in Bright, Indiana, sheds some light on dental phobia and offers some suggestions for parents to help their children feel more comfortable at the dentist’s office.
It’s my opinion that there are people who’ve had bad experiences in their lives, away from dentistry, who unfortunately translate those bad experiences into the dental arena. These types of people, sadly, arrive at a dentist’s office predisposed to feelings of fear and anxiety. For these individuals (children included), little can be done to prevent that fear. Instead, a dentist simply has to do his best to overcome those negative feelings by establishing the right kind of atmosphere and building a trusting relationship.
Under normal circumstances, though, there is a lot that parents can do to prevent their child from feeling fear at the dentist’s office. One of the simplest ways to alleviate fears and create a positive association with a dental office is to read books to your child about visiting the dentist and about the importance of oral hygiene.
It’s also important to talk to your child about visiting the dentist from your own perspective (provided it’s a positive one). Discuss what happens when you visit the dentist, how good it feels to have your teeth cleaned and how well the staff takes care of you. Talk about the importance of having your teeth cleaned and examined regularly, and how proud it makes you feel to do something good for your teeth. Your opinion carries a lot of weight with your child. If you paint a beautiful picture for your child, complete with lots of concrete examples, your child will be less likely to find the dentist’s office frightening and will instead look forward to his appointments.
Also, be careful about who you choose to be your child’s dentist. If a person has a reputation of being “rough” on kids, there’s no way you should be taking your child to see him. Why set him up for a bad experience? Instead, ask other parents for recommendations and shop around until you find someone who’s known to be gentle, upbeat and friendly, and who obviously loves to work with kids. This may be a family dentist or it may be someone who treats kids exclusively — that choice is yours. Ultimately, the most important factor should be whether you feel comfortable with a particular dentist and are confident that your child will respond positively to him as well.
If you already have a family dentist, consider bringing your child along with you for your next appointment. I believe that children are great judges of character. By allowing your child to interact with your dentist in a completely non-threatening context, you can get a good feel for how well your child responds to him. If it’s a good fit, there’s no need to look elsewhere.
If you do choose to find another dentist for your child, don’t be shy about asking questions in advance. It’s perfectly acceptable for you to talk with a prospective dentist (and hygienist) to get a feel for his style and his practice before you make your child’s first appointment. Doing so will help you maximize your child’s chances of having a good experience at the dentist’s office.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
