Children’s Dentistry: How to Introduce your Child to the Dentist

Positive dental experiences at an early age are part of what sets the stage for better health through the course of patients’ lifetimes. Children who practice good oral health habits at home and keep up with routine dental visits are less likely to encounter serious dental issues caused by lack of preventive attention as they grow into adulthood.

At West Houston Dental, we take care to treat children in a way that allows them to learn about the dentist and become confident visiting our office for treatment. When families bring in young children for first appointments, or during their own visits, we typically take the following steps:

Meeting the Team and Getting to Know the Office

As a child, coming into an unfamiliar situation with people who are new to you can be intimidating. We understand that fear of the unknown is powerful, which is why we give children the opportunity to get to know us and familiarize themselves with our staff and our office. Children can meet members of our team and take a tour around the office so there is never a point where they feel they are walking into a situation that is scary.

Sitting in Treatment Chairs

When they are feeling confident, children can take a seat in one of the dental chairs to get an idea for what teeth cleaning or other treatments are like. As a part of our efforts to familiarize children with the setting of a dental office, gradual introduction to sitting in the chair can help set the right expectations for treatment and minimize anxiety.

Seeing Dental Tools in Action

For patients who grow up with dental anxiety, the sights and sounds of certain dental tools can be something that triggers fear. However, patients who grow up with positive experiences understand that these tools are part of what keeps your teeth healthy and allows your dentist to care for your smile. While children are sitting in the dental chair, we can turn on the suction so they know what certain tools sound like and can show or answer any questions about what other equipment does to help clean their teeth.

Setting an Example

If children come in with their older siblings or their parents, we welcome them to come back into operatories with their family members to see what actual treatment is like. Children can watch their parent’s teeth get cleaned to help gain an understanding about what it’s like to complete a routine dental visit.

Dr. Nguyen welcomes children for preventive dental care. For more information on dentistry for kids in Houston, contact our office to speak to a member of our team.