C
hildren’s visits to the den-
tist are typically a positive
experience for both parents
and kids alike. Still, between 9 and 15%
of American adults fear going to the
dentist, according to Cleveland Clinic.
When parents are anxious about the den-
tist, that nervousness can instill fear and
anxiety in their child, too.
Adults and kids may fear going to
the dentist for several reasons. Cleve-
land Clinic explains that perhaps the
adult or child had a negative experience
at the dentist or has heard horror stories
that exaggerate their fears. Fear of pain
is the most common cause of anxiety.
While some people also worry about the
effectiveness or side effects of anesthe-
sia or have a fear of needles.
A negative experience at the dentist
as a child can result in continued anxiety
over routine dental care even into adult-
hood. So, learn how to prepare for your
child’s first and subsequent visits to the
dentist to ensure a positive, successful
experience. This will help pave the road
to a lifelong devotion to receiving rou-
tine dental care on a regular and consis-
tent basis as your child grows.
Your Child & The Dentist:
Building a positive
relationship early on
The earlier your child begins going
to the dentist, the better. The American
Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recom-
mends a first visit should be by the time
your child turns one or within 6 months of
when the first tooth erupts. At this stage,
— by Kimberly Blaker
Set the Stage for a Positive
Dental Visit for Your Child
your child’s visit will be quick, simple,
and pain-free. Providing your child with
early positive experiences will help your
child develop trust in the dentist.
Depending on your child’s age and
the dental office policies, many dentists
will ask you to remain in the lobby dur-
ing your child’s checkup. Typically, this
is recommended for children over the
age of 3. There’s a good reason for this.
Separating a child from parents usually
results in fuller cooperation from chil-
dren. This can go a long way toward a
more positive experience for your child.
When your child is placed in the
care of the dental staff, they’ll try to
make your child’s
first experience fun
and informative. The
dentist will explain
and demonstrate rou-
tine procedures to
your child and then
perform those pro-
cedures. Your child
quickly learns the
dentist is someone to
trust.
Down the road, if
your child needs non-
routine dental work,
14 WNY Family February 2020
the dentist will work with your child in
a similar fashion to help alleviate fears.
If you’re still concerned with send-
ing your child in alone, call and ask
to speak with the dentist or hygienist.
Avoid causing your child alarm, and
make the call in private so your child
doesn’t pick up on your anxiety. Explain
your specific concerns so the dentist can
address and alleviate your worries.
Approaching Scared or
Uncooperative Children
For a variety of reasons, some
children become fearful or uncoopera-
tive during a visit to the dentist. If your
child arrives unprepared or senses your
anxiety, your child may develop undue
worry. A previous experience could also
cause stress. Children who are ill or have
a physical or mental disability, a behav-
ioral disorder, or developmental delay
may also be challenging to treat. What-
ever the reason, the way your dentist
handles your child’s fears and behavior
is vital to your child’s emotional well be-
ing and ability to cope with future visits.
The American Academy of Pediat-
ric Dentistry has developed guidelines
for behavior management that dentists
should follow. Your dentist should use