Not only do children make up a large percentage of the patients coming to dentists, they are also your future customers as adults.
Easing a child into dental care can be rather painless (please forgive the pun). The first steps need to be done by the parents. Not all parents know this, but they can help prepare their children for their first visits. As a dentist, when you know you will be having a new patient from that tender age group, give the parents a Welcome Kit. Your kit should include,
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How the parent should talk about the dentist—meeting a “new friend.” How you will be counting teeth and cleaning them with a special toothbrush. Also, include words that they are to avoid like “painful,” “hurt” or “shot.”
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How the parents can play act going to the dentist to acclimate the child before they come to the office. Such a pretend visit can help remove any anxieties.
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Encourage parents to bring their children as early as age 1 so they will be used to the visits as they get older. Starting young makes dental care seem more of an important part of their life. Regular visits helps to make the child’s life more predictable and less a source of anxiety.
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Caution the parents not to make promises they can’t keep. Saying that everything will be fine could create trust issues for future visits.
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Tell the parents to keep their discussion simple. Say too much and the child will ask more and more questions the answers to which could make the child fearful. In fact, you might merely have the parents tell their child that a new friend is going to check their smile and count their teeth.
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Warn the parents not to talk about their own unpleasant dental experiences.
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Parents might help make the visit seem more lighthearted by telling the child that the dentist will be looking for “sugar bugs” and cleaning them off their teeth.
Helping the Child in the Office
In the mind of a child, when things are predictable, they are more tolerable. Tell the child what to expect from the visit. Tell them what noises they will hear and what sensations they will experience. Describe any tastes or vibrations. Eliminate all possible surprises. Show them the tools you will use and describe what they’re for.
Relaxation is another tool you can use to set the child’s mind at greater ease. Have the child blow soap bubbles through the circular wand used by kids during the summer months. This will help the child control their breathing. You might also have the child tense and relax muscles starting with the toes on one foot and progressing up the body on one side and then the other. This helps them feel more in control.
Distracting the child can also prove helpful. If they play with a toy in the waiting area, consider allowing them to hold the toy during the procedure. You might also have the child count ceiling tiles. Or you can talk to them about something pleasant. Consulting with the parents may provide useful information about the child’s specific interests.
Reinforcing the child’s good behavior is another important approach. This works best when you consult with the parents, first. Every child is different. Tell the child what you expect from them and tell them that they will be rewarded for being brave. You might even have a generic “treasure chest” in which most children will be able to find something of interest.
Getting a parent involved can also help the child relax. Having them sit nearby can give the young patient much needed reassurance. Sometimes, the parent can act as a role model for their little one. If possible, doing a mock procedure on the parent, first, may give the child the confidence they need to go through the procedure.
References:
AlSarheed, Maha. (4/2011). "Children’s Perception of Their Dentists." Retrieved on 2/18/2017 from https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3075993/
dentalfear.com (ND). "Dental Fear in Children: An interview with Dr. Fred Margolis." Retrieved on 2/18/2017 from http://dentalfear.com/margolis.asp
Efron, Dr., and Sherman, Dr. (6/1/2005). "Five Tips for Managing Pediatric Dental Anxiety." Retrieved on 2/18/2017 from http://dentistrytoday.com/pediatric-dentistry/1576
Port, Dina. (ND). "8 Tips to Help Kids Overcome Fear of Dentists." Retrieved on 2/18/2017 from http://parents.com/health/dental/kids-overcome-fear-dentists/
