Easing children’s fear of the dentist

  • Published
  • By Airman First Class Kristina Narabal
  • 66th Medical Operations Squadron
HANSCOM AFB, Mass. --  Although nobody loves a trip to the dentist, most of us go because we want to maintain our general health and keep our teeth as long as possible. However, the American Dental Association estimates that approximately 35 million adults have so much anxiety about dental visits that they simply avoid seeing the dentist altogether. Much of this anxiety is due to a lack of information or to misinformation about dentistry. Parents who openly display anxiety about dental visits to their children will often in turn, make the children anxious and afraid of the dentist. 

Two types of dentists treat children -- general dentists and pediatric dentists. General dentists see both children and adults and are usually referred to as family dentists. Pediatric dentists specialize in the treatment of children and have received special training in behavior modification and in treating children with special needs.
Parents and dentists each play an important role in making a child's first dental appointment a positive experience. Children are curious and will want to know what will happen when they visit the dentist. Honesty is the best approach. Parents can tell children that on their first visit, the dentist will look at, count and possibly take pictures of their teeth with a special camera called an X-ray. 

If further appointments are necessary, it is best to let the dentist inform children about what will take place. If children persist in questioning parents at home about upcoming appointments, it is best for parents to explain that they are not exactly sure what the dentist will do. Parents should always stress the importance of brushing and flossing to their children and monitor their compliance at home. 

Unless the dentist specifically requests that parents be present, children should go into the exam or treatment room on their own. Research shows that children actually behave better with the dentist when parents are not present and gives the dentist and children a chance to build trust. However, children will not be alone with the dentist. There will always be an assistant present and many offices treating children are designed with an open bay system where the patients are in plain view of each other.
A certain amount of anxiety from children concerning a dental appointment is to be expected. This may be due to separation from their parents, being in unfamiliar surroundings and fear of the unknown. Parents can reassure their children that the dentist is there to help them and only has their best interests in mind.

Some reminders to help the dental visit go more smoothly:
1. Parents can tell their children about dentist visits but should limit the amount of details given. Any questions can be answered with simple and straight-forward answers. The dentist can answer more complex or detailed questions. Dentists are trained to describe things to children in a non-threatening way and in easily understood language.
2. Parents should not tell their children that something will hurt or be painful.
3. Parents should not tell their children about an unpleasant dental experience that you've had.
4. Parents should stress to their children how important it is to maintain healthy teeth and gums and explain that the dentist is a friendly doctor whose job it is to help do this.
5. Parents should not promise a reward for going to the dentist.