If your child dreads going to the dentist, she (or he) isn’t alone. Many children are!
Everyone at the office of Perry L. Jeffries, DDS and Associates, PA is enthusiastic about treating your child’s oral health. In addition to our first-class, comprehensive dental care, we also have a welcoming, patient-focused environment.
A variety of reasons could be fueling your daughter’s fear. Contributing factors can include having heard about a negative experience or her uncertainty about what will happen during the appointment.
Helping your child control her dental anxiety involves preparation, communication and positive reinforcement. Even if a visit is just for a routine checkup, start explaining the purpose of the visit and what to expect in easy-to-understand terms. Then, answer your child’s questions honestly. Avoid words such as “pain” or “hurt.” Instead, focus on the benefits of healthy teeth and how the pedodontist will help keep them clean and strong.
Simulating her upcoming visit can be quite helpful. You (or her other parent) pretend to be the dentist and your daughter the patient. The replication will familiarize her with the overall process and normalize the sensation of someone’s fingers being in her mouth.
A pedodontist is trained to create a child-friendly environment and is skilled at putting kids at ease. A week or so before the actual appointment, schedule a visit for you and your daughter to simply meet the pedodontist, and look around the waiting room and treatment area. Even better, have her sit in the dental chair.
Then, on the way to the actual appointment, stay tranquil and nonchalant, and assure her that you’ll be in the waiting room the whole time. After the visit, praise your daughter for her bravery, no matter how she behaved. Over time, these strategies will help your child develop a more positive association with dental visits.
The office of Perry L. Jeffries, DDS and Associates, PA has sophisticated and leading-edge equipment that will give us an overall view of every aspect of your child’s mouth and teeth. We set up all of our patients for a lifetime of excellent oral health. Please contact us for an appointment.
By Perry L. Jeffries, DDS and Associates, PA
August 29, 2024
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