We understand that outings with young children can be a bit stressful. However, we want to ensure your visit to College Drive Dental Associates is anything but! Therefore, we recommend taking the following ten steps to make your child’s visit to the dentist is as easy as possible.
Schedule for success!
First things first, it is important to schedule your child’s dentist appointment at a time that they will be feeling their best. Try to avoid booking an appointment at a time that your child is typically napping or eating a meal. Our office will work closely with you to ensure we find a time that works for you!
Prepare your child for the visit.
We’ve found that appointments go quite a bit smoother when your child knows what to expect at the dentist’s office. Try speaking with your child about the dentist and why it is important to keep your teeth clean and strong. You might also consider playing “dentist office” with them. They can perform a cleaning on their stuffed animals, and then you can do a pretend cleaning on them— gently touching each tooth and getting them used to the idea of someone cleaning their teeth.
Buy books about going to the dentist’s office.
There are many children’s books that serve to get your child excited about going to the dentist— even featuring the likes of Dora the Explorer and Berenstain Bears. This will help your child to see the dentist appointment as an adventure. You can even bring your book into the office with you! This leads us to our next tip…
Bring a comfort toy or blanket.
Sometimes, having a toy or blanket from home is all a child needs to feel safe in a strange new environment. Feel free to bring these toys or comfort blanket to the office with you. This will help to ensure that your child feels at ease.
Fill out your forms in advance.
We know the less time your child needs to spend waiting for the appointment, the better. That’s why we recommend filling out any necessary patient forms in advance. You can find these forms on the New Patients page on our website, under the “About Us” heading. This will save you a lot of time in the waiting room!
Eat beforehand.
It can be difficult for your child to have a snack when they’re in the dentist chair. That’s why it is always best to eat right before your appointment. This will keep your child in good spirits and make it easier for them to get a proper cleaning!
Avoid any scary words.
Communication is everything. Talking to your child about their exciting trip to the dentist will keep them in good spirits about the appointment. Just make sure to avoid any words like “drills” or “needles” that may unnecessarily add stress to their experience.
Get their older siblings involved.
If your young child has an older sibling, it is possible that they can show them how easy a dentist appointment can be! Encourage your oldest to help your young child through the appointment and get them excited for a healthy smile.
Keep calm.
It is important to maintain a sense of calm, even when your child is not. By keeping calm, it will be much easier for everyone to get a panicky child back on track to a happy appointment.
Let us help you!
Our pediatric dentists are highly skilled at working with young children. We’ll work with you as a team to make sure your child has an easy, stress-free experience.
Ready to schedule your child’s dentist appointment? Call College Drive Dental Associates in Palos Heights today!