Fredericksburg Parent

18 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • February 2023 Most often, children's visits to the dentist are a positive experience for parents and kids alike. Despite this, between 9 and 15% of American adults fear dental visits, according to Cleveland Clinic. When parents are anxious about the dentist, that ner- vousness can instill fear and anxiety in their child, too. Adults and kids may fear going to the dentist for several reasons. Cleveland Clinic explains that perhaps the adult or child had a negative dental experience or has heard horror stories that exaggerate their fears. The most common cause of anxiety is the fear of pain. Also, some kids and adults worry about the effectiveness or side effects of anesthesia or have a fear of needles. A negative experience at the dentist as a child can result in continued anxiety over routine dental care even into adulthood. So, to ensure a positive, successful experi- ence, know how to prepare yourself and your child for his or her first and subsequent dental visits. Doing so will pave the way to a lifelong devotion to regular and consis- tent dental care when your child becomes an adult. Your child and the dentist—building a positive relationship early on The earlier your child begins visiting the dentist, the better. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends your child's first visit by the age of one or within six months of when the first tooth erupts. At this stage, your child's visit will be quick, simple, and pain-free. Providing your child early positive experiences will help your child develop trust in the dentist. Be aware that depending on your child's age and the dental office policies, many dentists will ask you to remain in the lobby during your child's checkup. This is the typical recommendation for children over the age of 3. There's a good reason for this. Separating a child from parents usually results in fuller cooperation from children. This can go a long way toward a more positive experi- ence for your child. When your child is placed in the care of the dental staff, they'll try to make your child's first experi- ence fun and informative. The dentist will explain and demonstrate routine procedures to your child and then perform those procedures. Your child quickly learns the dentist is someone to trust Down the road, if your child needs non-routine dental work, the dentist will similarly work with your child to help alleviate fears. If you're still concerned with sending your child in alone, call and ask to speak with the dentist or hygienist. Avoid causing your child alarm, and make the call in private so your child doesn't pick up on your anxiety. Explain your specific concerns so the dentist can address and alleviate your worries. Approaching scared or uncooperative children For a variety of reasons, some children become fearful or uncooperative during a visit to the dentist. If your child arrives unprepared or senses your anxiety, your child may develop undue worry. Previous experience could also cause stress. Kids who are ill or have a physi- cal or mental disability, a behavioral disorder, or developmental delay may also be challeng- ing to treat. Whatever the reason, the way your dentist handles your child's fears and behavior is vital to your child's emotional well being and ability to cope with future visits. The American Academy of Pedi- atric Dentistry has developed guidelines for behavior man- agement that dentists should follow. Your dentist should use the communication techniques learned in dental school, includ- ing positive reinforcement, distraction, voice control, non- verbal communication, and the tell-show-do approach. These techniques all help reas- sure patients and gain their trust. In most cases, these approaches are sufficient, leading to visits that end on a positive note. If a practitioner lacks the expertise for handling a situation, he should refer your child to a dentist with the appropriate skills. Set the Stage for a POSITIVE Dental Visit for Your Child WRITTEN BY KIMBERLY BLAKER

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