Having a fear of dentists can be a struggle. Often our fears are irrational, but still must be conquered. Sometimes it is the parent’s job to help remove the fear by being a good role model, playing dentist, and even reading books about the dentist. However, once that kid steps into your office, you have power to remove fear of dentists visits.
Most kids don’t realize the benefits of going to the dentist. Having beautiful teeth, a healthy smile, healthy gums and lifelong oral hygiene habits are not a child’s concern. They are overwhelmed by the lights, equipment, noises and even uniforms. This uncomfortable feeling can lead to whining, crying, tears, tantrums and overall an unsuccessful visit to the dentist. The number one way for a dentist to remove fear from a kids mind is to increase trust. The child needs to know that you will accept them (and their tears.) Below are three ways that dentists can help to mitigate fear of dentist visits:
- Give them Something to Focus on
- Children are known to have short attention spans, so even if they are upset, fearful or even crying, having some toys, games and other visually and auditory stimulants will distract a kid. I remember when I was a kid I could put in headphones and choose any radio station that I wanted. Also, instead of giving me standard eye protection glasses, I was given the option to choose from a bunch of cool looking sunglasses. This extra stimulation distracted me from dwelling about any fears at the office.
- Make them Laugh
- Kids love to laugh, and repeat jokes that they hear that they think are funny. Have a small book of jokes, or riddles, or fun facts that they may find interesting or can start a small conversation. One of the books that I used to read in the waiting room at the dentist office had hundreds of jokes in them, and I would almost non-stop repeat all of them to my mom. Jokes and whimsical stories are a great way to ease any stresses for kids.
- Smart Vocabulary
- The words that you use are very important to the kids. Avoiding words that may cause an unfavorable reaction is key to keeping kids calm. Try not to use words like shot, hurt, pain, blood etc for they all evoke either bad memories, or anxieties. Instead of telling a kid exactly what you are going to do, keep it simple. Instead of saying that you are checking for plaque or cavities, tell them you are counting their teeth and cleaning them. Complementing their teeth will also build trust and confidence in your words. Use positive reinforcement and vocabulary like clean, strong, healthy etc to boost confidence.
Oral health is very important, and starting to see a dentist at a young age is crucial to having healthy oral health over a lifetime. However, kids can often be afraid of doctors, and will cry or fight not to go – the fear of dentists is a common occurrence among small children. It is important to ease these stresses, especially for younger kids, who may be visiting for the first time. Eliminate fear of dentist visits with soft speech and encouraging words. Being a great dentist includes a lot more than being able to pull teeth and fill cavities. Parents not only like dentists that get the job done, but are able to settle their kids anxieties.
Southern Dental is an office specializing in family dentistry located in Marrero, Louisiana.