05/08/2024
Bringing your child to their dental appointment can sometimes be a bit of a challenge. Especially if you, the parent, are anxious about visiting the dentist.
Rest assured, myself and the team will do everything we can to make sure your child’s experience is a positive one. We have undergone extensive training and have years of experience as dental professionals (and as a parent myself) working with children (and anxious adults).
Children are perceptive, and if the dentist isn’t your favourite place to be (you’re not alone!) your child will pick up on this. Here are some tips for bringing your little (or big one) to see us…
Please allow us to take the lead. Have a seat in the chair provided and allow the team to direct the appointment. Being a calm presence is all that is needed to allow a child to feel secure. If your child looks to you for reassurance, a simple ‘you’re doing a great job, this will be fun’ lets your child know that you’re not worried and they’re in safe hands.
Stay positive and make the appointment enjoyable. We watch our words and choose our language carefully. You may notice we avoid saying words and phrases that may inadvertently increase a child’s anxiety, please avoid things like ‘there’s nothing to worry about’, ‘this won’t hurt’, ‘jag’, ‘drill’, ‘sharp’ etc. Instead we try to incorporate games; we have the tooth tickler, the pointer, the bumpy toothbrush, and the thirsty hoover for example.
If your child has had a previous negative experience, please make us aware of this on their medical form given to you on arrival. This will allow us to tailor the appointment appropriately.
We hope your child looks forward to coming to visit us, we look forward to seeing them!
