FYI

It’s not just anecdotal, studies have shown that many children fear going to the dentist. But there are things you can do to build their trust and make their visits more enjoyable. It starts with you talking to their parents.
 

Start the process before the visit

It’s vital for parents to stress the importance of daily oral hygiene to their kids – not just how to brush and floss, but also why keeping their teeth and gums healthy can make trips to your office less stressful. Tell parents to talk about what treatments you’ll be providing to them so they can stay calm. For the trip to your office, you may also want to encourage parents to bring books, videos or music to help take their kids' minds off the visit.
 

Make the waiting room kid-friendly

You can help set kids’ minds at ease right as they come in the door. Here are some tips:
 

• Have activities ready: Coloring books and games are easy, inexpensive ways to keep young minds occupied while they wait their turn.
• Create a kids-only waiting room: If you have the facilities for it, a child-friendly area can be a great way to start their visit.
• Rewards for a good visit: Free stickers or small toys and a high-five can be a great way to end a dental visit with a smile.

When it’s that time of year, reference our back-to-school prep tips.
 

Earn kids’ trust by knowing how to talk to them

Getting children to feel relaxed isn’t always easy. But there are communication tips you can use to help them warm up to you:
 

• Address them first: As adults, we have a tendency to start conversations with each other when kids are in the room, which can make them feel left out.
• Be positive: Kids are intuitive. So, it’s important to always convey a calm, upbeat manner.
• Talk about things that aren’t teeth: Refocusing their attention on something they like can help reduce their anxiety level.
• Speak at their eye level: Just as adults do, kids feel more assurance when someone looks them in the eye.
• Explain what you’re doing: Avoid any unpleasant scares or surprises by telling kids everything you’re going to do in treatment beforehand.

Remind everyone that good oral health can mean good grades

At the end of each visit, you may want to remind kids and their parents that great oral health can lead to better academic performance. An NIH study has also shown that poor oral health can lead to poor academic performance.