A Parent’s Guide to the Best Dentist for Kids with Anxiety
Are you a parent with a child who is having meltdowns before the dentist? Believe it or not, this is extremely common for many children, and we’re here to tell you that you’re not the only one experiencing this. Dental anxiety is common, but it’s manageable, and it is not a reflection of your parenting or any preparation that you did before the dental visit. As a family dentist, we’ve seen many children come into our office upset, anxious, and unsure of what’s to come when they lie down in our chair. We know that as parents, you just want the best for your children, which is why we’ve come up with a guide to help you choose the best dentist for your anxious child. By the end of this article, you’ll feel more sure of what dentist you’ll choose for your child so you can go in more prepared to take on the dental anxiety that comes with it.
Why Do Kids Develop Dental Anxiety?
Dental anxiety can be brought on by several factors, most of which don’t actually include having a negative experience at the dentist. Dental anxiety can be triggered by unfamiliar sounds, smells, the fear of having pain, unusual feelings, and sensory sensitivities. Every kid will experience anxiety differently, with some having mild anxiety, and other children dealing with a full sensory overload. If you’ve noticed that your child has dental anxiety, it’s best to address it early and reassure your child so that, in the future, they feel more comfortable and more prepared to visit the dentist.
Look For a Pediatric Dentist
Finding a pediatric dentist or a family dentist ensures that the dentist and dental assistant working on your children’s mouth are familiar and experienced with children. Pediatric dentists are typically trained in child psychology and behavior management, as they can have different reactions to being at the dentist than adults may. This is especially important for children with dental anxiety, as the dentist is more equipped to deal with the dental anxiety and the reactions from the child that may come with it.
Find an Anxiety-Friendly Dental Practice
Finding an anxiety-friendly dental practice can be as simple as finding one that has staff trained in techniques like tell-show-do, positive reinforcement, and distraction when needed. They may also have tools to comfort your child like weighted blankets, television, music, headphones, or stress balls. The overall atmosphere will also be reassuring, calm, and unhurried in a way that allows every patient to feel less stressed.
What To Ask When Choosing a Dentist
Choosing a dentist is an important decision for your family and your children, so knowing the right things to ask can help you narrow down your choices and get to know your options more clearly. Here is a list of some of the questions we recommend asking when choosing a dentist for your child with dental anxiety:
- How do you handle a child that gets upset in the middle of a procedure?
- Have you had experience with dental anxiety in children before?
- What comfort technique can I provide my child?
- Can a parent stay in the room with the child during the procedure?
- What sedation options do you offer if needed?
What To Consider When Reading Reviews
When you look into dental options, choose ones that apply to an anxious patient. Looking for words like “gentle,” “patient,” and “calm” can help give you insight into how the process was and what the treatment was like. Look out for potential red flags that can point to a less anxiety-friendly practice like “rushed”, “dismissive,” and “not kid-friendly.”
Preparing Your Child For The Dental Visit
Preparing your child for the dental visit is going to be a huge part of giving them the most confidence when entering the practice. You’ll want to talk to your child in an age-appropriate way to explain what a dentist is for, why they are going, and what they can expect. You can use resources like videos, books, and photos to showcase the process and equipment they might see upon arrival. Use selective language to not instill more fear into them and consider bringing a comfort item that can help them feel more at home in the office.
How You Can Help During The Appointment
As the parent of an anxious child, you need to stay calm and level-headed, even if your child starts reacting during the visit. Kids can pick up parental anxiety, causing the situation to escalate quickly and cause more anxiety about visiting the dentist. Talk with your dentist about safe words or movements that you can do if you feel that your child may need a moment to calm down during the service. After the visit, be sure to say positive and affirming words towards your child and recognize their bravery, even if the visit didn’t go so well.
Building Long-Term Comfort With The Dentist
You can build comfort with the dentist and your child by doing small things that will help support that relationship. Staying consistent with dental visits, with the same dentist, can build trust and comfort with your child, allowing them to feel more at ease when in their care. Additionally, starting with gentle exposure like a cleaning at a young age can help them work their way up to being more comfortable even during other procedures. Celebrate the small wins and build confidence around going to the dentist to help them feel proud to go and accomplish the appointment, instead of feeling fearful.
Finding The Perfect Dentist
Choosing the right dentist can take time and a lot of trial and error, but staying persistent is key to finding one you can rely on. If you are a parent looking for a kid-friendly dentist that you can trust, our team at Sage Dental can help! We have been a family practice for many years, experienced in treating children with anxiety and neurodivergencies as well. Contact us so we can set you up for a meet-and-greet with a dentist to start your child’s new anxiety-free dental visits with our practice!
