family health
Preparing Your Child for Dental Visits
By Denise Yearian
Jane and Drew Tamassia love going to the dentist. They think it is fun. Perhaps it's words like "tickle toothbrush" and "sugar bug remover" that make these preschoolers giggle. Maybe it's the mini-movie theater or downtown Disney decorations that draw them in.
"I think they like going because I started them early and chose someone who knows how to work with children," says Suzanne Tamassia, whose own childhood dental fears drove her to find a dentist who works specifically with children.
"We recommend you bring your child for their first dental visit around their first birthday," says Randy Raetz, DDS who owns a dental practice in Brighton. "Most children have some teeth at this time, and we can take care of problems when they are small rather than becoming a huge problem."
Even before that first appointment, there are things parents can do to prepare their child for their visit. "The best method to prepare a child for his or her first visit to the dentist is by introducing dental care early in a child's life when they are infants and toddlers," says William Dingus DMD, Managing Partner of Dingus and Rivoli Orthodontics in Scottsville. "Find age-appropriate books about dental visits, brush their teeth twice a day, and make the process 'fun.' When you are finished brushing the child's teeth, praise the child's clean, beautiful smile."
Then, when the day of their visit approaches, you can also prepare them by explaining what the visit will be like. "Tell them they are going to meet a few new people and have a fun time and get their teeth counted and 'tickled' so they look bright and shiny," suggests Dr. Raetz. "And more than likely they will get a prize as well."
That is what Susan Magasiny did. "Before Jake's first appointment, we talked about how the dentist was a doctor for his teeth and that to keep them healthy, he needed to have check ups," says the mother of two. "I told him the dentist was going to look at his teeth, count them, and maybe take a picture. It was no big deal."
"I remember sitting at home role-playing with Jane," recalls Tamassia. "I would say, 'Open your mouth and let me see your teeth,' then I would pretend to be the dentist. She liked that."
Remember, since children don't know what to expect before their first visit, you can put a good spin on it from the start. "Do not tell your child that the 'dentist will not hurt' as this may never have entered his/her mind," says Maria Aslani-Briet, DDS, who owns a dental practice in Brighton. "Instead, you may wish to assure your child that the dentist will be gentle and friendly. Also, avoid using the words needle, shot, pull, or any other words suggesting unpleasantness. Expect your child to react well and enjoy their visits to the dental office and chances are he/she will do exactly that!"
Once in the office, you can ask your child's dentist to alleviate anxiety by reviewing the procedures with you and your child. "We explain everything that we do or plan to do to the child beforehand," says Dr. Dingus. "We always try to engage the child in a conversation to ease some of the anxiety inherent in dental visits. And lastly, since that first visit is usually just an examination, we always remind the child that we are just 'looking' at their teeth.
Once the visit is underway, Dr. Raetz also talks children through the procedures, too, so there are no surprises. "Our office allows parents and family members to accompany children in the treatment room with them," he says. "We have video monitors on each chair so children (and parents) can choose from our movie list something to watch to distract them from what we are doing."
Even without so-called "surprises," sometimes anxiety sets in. "Crying through the first two years is very expected, even at three," says Jennifer Luzader, pediatric dental hygienist. "One way to ward off tears is with distraction. We have puppets we use and will talk with children on their level to gain their confidence. We also try to make it fun — What kind of animal is down your throat today?' Even when children come in crying, 95 percent of them leave with a smile."
On occasion, dental emergencies arise that cannot be avoided. "One week after Jake's first appointment, he fell into a picnic table and had a severe dental injury," recalls Magasiny. "His gum was pushed up to the top of his mouth and his whole front tooth was exposed. I called the dentist and they took us in right away."
But it was a wait-and-see injury. In the months to follow, Jake had to return several times so the dentist could evaluate the situation. "I started to prep him about losing his tooth early, which he did about six months later," she continues. "But through it all, Jake built trust and confidence in the dentist."
So much so, if you asked him today he would tell you he looks forward to his dental visits. His mother does, too. "What I appreciate most about our dental practice is that they have given me tools to teach my children preventative dentistry," says Magasiny.
"We are fully aware of the fears and anxieties associated with dentistry and strive towards alleviating them through empathy, patience, and our own unique way of providing pediatric dental care," says Aslani-Breit, who makes sure that not only are children comfortable with their visits, but that their parents are, too.
Denise Yearin is a freelance writer and frequent contributor to GVP
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Quick Tips to Prepare Your Child for his First Dental Visit
+Start early to get your child acclimated to visiting the dentist and prevent future dental problems.
+Consider a "get acquainted" visit to introduce your child to the dental office before the first appointment.
+Choose a pediatric dental practice. Pediatric dentists have two to three years of specialized training beyond dental school in treating children. Plus, the offices are child friendly.
+Select an appointment time when your child is alert and rested.
+Explain before the visit that the dentist is a friend and will help your child keep his teeth healthy. Add that the visits will be fun.
+Answer all your child's questions positively. (Keep an ear out for scary stories from peers and siblings.)
+Avoid using scary words. Check-ups and 90 percent of first visits do not have anything to do with "hurt," so do not even use the word.
+Read your child a story about a character that had a good dental visit.
+Write out questions in advance about your child's dental health on such topics as home care, injury prevention, diet and snacking, fluoride, and tooth development.
+Make sure your child has regularly scheduled dental visits twice a year to maintain good dental health.
Information supplied by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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This article appeared originally in the February 2010 issue of Genesee Valley Parent Magazine.