How to Prepare Children Who Are Starting School for Trips to the Dental Office
Posted on: 16 March 2018
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If your child has reached school-going age, they can probably talk properly and understand what you tell them. At this age, your little one may also begin to develop perceptions of the dentist. As a parent, it is important to ensure your child's experiences at the dental office are nice ones in order to facilitate effective and efficient appointments and to curb dental fears, which may arise and gradually increase as the child grows.
A kids dentist undertakes further study and goes through advanced training in dentistry so they can meet the unique dental needs of children. Though these dentists know how to create a friendly relationship with kids who visit their offices, they often emphasise that the input of parents accompanying the children is critical to creating a truly relaxing environment in which the child feels safe.
With that said, here's what to do to help make your little one's trips to the paediatric dental office pleasant experiences.
Speak fondly of dentists
For the most part, young children take what they are told by their parents or other caregivers as truth. If you talk about your awful past experiences at the dental office in their presence, they will almost certainly perceive their dentist as the bad guy. This will, in turn, make them develop negative feelings towards their dentist.
Always speak fondly of dentists when your kids are around — it's okay to feign positive feelings towards dentists so long as your kids are listening in on your conversation. If you have dental fears yourself, it is best to leave them outside the dentist's door. If you don't stay calm and collected, your little one may suffer the same fate as you.
Talk to your child about what to expect
If you have seen a paediatric dentist before, you probably have a clue about what happens there — if you're clueless, just go online and do a little research. Knowing what takes place in the dental office and at the dental chair and explaining everything to your kid in a simple, clear and succinct manner is critical to creating a comfortable atmosphere for the child.
When talking to your little one about what to expect in the dental office, constantly reassure them that the dentist cares about their oral health and will not do anything to hurt them. If your child hears that from you, they are less likely to be suspicious or afraid of the dentist.