Dental anxiety affects an estimated 20% of children, so visits to a children’s dentist become daunting for parents and children. Our pediatric dentists at Kids Corner Medical & Dental of Oakville have developed successful strategies that transform nervous children into confident patients. Knowing how anxiety develops and implementing some strategies can be the solution to your child’s successful dental visit.
How Children Come to Fear the Kids Dentist
Children learn dental anxiety for several reasons. Frequently, it is due to the unknown or prior negative experience. Children also learn from parental apprehension regarding dental appointments. Children are afraid of pain for some, and others are overwhelmed by new sounds and sensations in the dental clinic.
Research has proven that initial unpleasant experiences with any physician have the capacity to create long-term fear. However, the correct attitude from a skilled kids dentist can prevent or reverse such a condition. Moreover, children who have good initial dental experience typically have maximum oral health throughout their life.
The Tell-Show-Do Technique Employed by Every Kids Dentist
One of the best methods is using the tell-show-do. The children dentist tells the child what they are going to do in simple language first. They then demonstrate what they are going to do on a model or their hand. And finally, they do it.
This approach works because it takes surprises away and gives kids a sense of control. For example, instead of “injection,” a kids’ dentist will say “putting the tooth to sleep.” Dental tools become “tooth counters” or “water squirters” as well. Such simple modification in words greatly enhances anxiety levels.
Creating a Child-Friendly Environment
The physical setting is also important for anxiety reduction. In our office at Kids Corner Medical & Dental, we have vibrant colours, playful decorations, and child-sized equipment. Additionally, we play soothing music and control comfortable temperatures to provide a friendly environment.
Most of the children’s dentist offices also incorporate some interactive elements like video games or televisions on the ceiling. These diversions allow children to focus on something enjoyable rather than their fears. In addition, allowing children to bring comfort objects like stuffed animals provides emotional security for procedures.
Positive Reinforcement Strategies
Effective children’s dental clinics use positive reinforcement on visits. A compliment for little accomplishments creates trust and compliance. For instance, complimenting a child for staying still or opening wide sets up positive reinforcement with dental visits.
Reward schemes also are effective. Some dentists offer sticker charts, little rewards, or certificates for good behavior. The most powerful reward, however, is often simply the dentists’ praise and recognition of the child’s bravery.
Breathing and Relaxation Techniques
Demonstrating some basic breathing exercises to children stabilizes anxiety in the moment. A children’s dentist might instruct children “balloon breathing” – imagining their tummy as a balloon inflating and deflating slowly. This engages the relaxation response within the body and provides children with a self-help strategy that they can use independently.
Progressive muscle relaxation also can be done with older children. Starting at their toes, children tense and then relax different muscle groups. This helps them notice the difference between tension and relaxation.
Gradual Exposure and Desensitization
For very anxious children, gradual exposure works best. The first visit could be an orientation around the office and meeting with the kids’ dentist. Then the child can sit in the dental chair for a visit without any treatment. Gradually more features are introduced until the child is fully comfortable with full examination and treatment.
This technique is time-consuming but offers excellent long-term results. Children become familiar with the fact that the dental clinic is a friendly place and that the kids dentist takes their well-being and comfort very seriously.
Involving Parents in Anxiety Management
Parents are key to dealing with their child’s dental fear. A good kids dentist will guide parents on positive communication during dental visits. Rather than telling the child “it won’t hurt,” parents can simply tell them “the dentist will take good care of your teeth.”
Also, the experience is made more familiar by reading books about visiting the dentist or role-playing being the dentist at home. Some parents like to arrange appointments when the child is optimal during the day for stress reduction and cooperation improvement.
When Additional Support Is Needed
Sometimes, despite all these techniques, children just still show high levels of anxiety. In such circumstances, a children’s dentist might recommend additional support measures. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is a mild sedation with the child still awake and alert.
In more severe cases, oral sedation or other comfort measures might be necessary. The key is coordination with parents to find the best approach for each child’s comfort and requirement.
Building Positive Long-Term Relationships
The long-range goal extends way past managing short-range fear. An excellent kids dentist is dedicated to establishing long-range positive relationships that continue into adulthood. Regular, non-traumatizing treatment and continuous communication with children and their parents are all part of this.
Regular visits sustain these positive connections. When kids go to their kids dentist every six months, having good oral health is a routine thing and not something to make them nervous.
At Kids Corner Medical & Dental in Oakville, we’re committed to making sure that every dental visit for a child is hassle-free and enjoyable. We understand that gentle care today creates confident patients tomorrow. Contact us today.