How To Make a Trip to the Dentist FUN For Kids

Written by Rebecca Harper

If your child is afraid of the dentist, you will be all too familiar with the struggle. My first job was helping out in the reception of my local dental practice. From my seat at the reception desk, I think I can safely say I’ve seen it all. There are the kids who will cling to the door frame, refusing to even step foot in the building. There are the youngsters who shake the foundations of the building with their screams. And then there are the ones who are just paralysed with fear and look like their bi-annual check-up is actual torture.

The other side of this is the parents and carers who apologize endlessly for their child’s behaviour. It’s clear to see they are exasperated and the trip to the dentist is just as traumatic for them as it is for their little ones. A lot of the time, these parents feel isolated and alone and feel that their child is the only one to react this way. If it makes anyone feel any better, this couldn’t be further from the case. As I said, I’ve seen it all, and I’ve learnt a few handy tips that can help to take the sting out of a trip to the dentist.

Find the right dentist

If you have a choice of multiple dentists in the same practice, ask to see a few different ones to see if there is one who your child responds better to. Some kids love the goofy dentist who will make everything a game, while other children might prefer someone calm and reserved. It’s all about finding the right balance and seeing if a change of dentist can help your child to manage their fear.

Plan a treat

I see a lot of parents try this method, but they go wrong at one important step. They have a nice treat planned but then they threaten to take it away if they don’t behave. It’s important to remember that your child may be acting up because of a genuine phobia. If you are afraid of anything, like heights or snakes, you will know that you don’t always act rationally when you’re afraid. There is an underlying reason that the child is acting up, so threatening to take away the treat will compound the problem. Instead, we would always recommend that you frame the treat as something that will happen anyway. This should help to reinforce the idea that a trip to the dentist is a good thing.

Play dress up

If you’ve ever put on your power suit and felt eight feet tall and bulletproof, you will know just how powerful dressing up can be. Your kid probably won’t want to wear a suit, but if they have a favourite dress-up costume that helps them feel powerful, then don’t be afraid to show up to the dentist in this. It gives them something to “show off” and is an incredible distraction. Your dentist won’t mind treating a mini Spiderman, Batgirl or Elsa. Just try to avoid anything with a helmet or a mask, as this will make things more difficult!

Use positive language

If you have your own dental demons to deal with, it’s worth speaking to the dentist about the root cause of your own fear. A lot of adults hold onto bad experiences from when they were younger, but dentistry has come so far in that time! Dentists are truly artists with the anaesthetic needle so there’s very little chance you will feel anything during any procedure. If you’re hanging onto a lifelong phobia, tackling this head on can help your child to view a trip to the dentist in a much more positive light. If your dentist doesn’t proudly claim to be a dentist for nervous patients, then it’s time to look elsewhere!