| Calming the anxious child |
Children are not born with fear, fear is acquired. Popular characterization of an unpleasant experience
at the dentist often leads to unfounded fears in young minds who often assume that to be a reality.
Help your child avoid unnecessary fear by doing the following:
Pediatric dentistry has come a long way in recent years. Most children who are properly introduced to
dentistry actually look forward to visiting their pediatric dentist.
Your child's best interest comes first! Please make sure to take your child to a pediatric dentist whom
your child is most comfortable with!
Check the AAPD directory of pediatric dentists to ensure your "children's dentist" is a "pediatric dentist"
specially trained to provide dental care for children! An unpleasant dental appointment in childhood can
have a lasting impression and possibly a lifelong consequence.
Pediatric dentists have years of additional training over and above general dentistry that is specific to
oral health issues in children. They are specifically trained to provide a pleasant experience for your
child. They are also specifically trained to attend to developmental and clinical oral health issues in
children.
Dr. Shah's speciality training and above all, her commitment to help children and her ability to connect
with them enables her to put children at ease. We are confident that your child and you will find our
clinic to be the dental clinic of choice for your child.
at the dentist often leads to unfounded fears in young minds who often assume that to be a reality.
Help your child avoid unnecessary fear by doing the following:
- Take a positive and calm approach to your child's dental appointment
- Try preventing your child from hearing any unpleasant dental experiences. Certainly do not
jokingly discuss unpleasant dental appointment experiences that might unnecessarily scare the
child and cause avoidable fears and anxiousness
- It is a good idea to tell your child the day before their dental visit that he/she will be going to see
their dentist Dr. Shah who will be caring for their teeth
- Assure your child that Dr. Shah will always explain everything she does before she begins
- See the section below providing suggestions on what a parent can do to calm an anxious child
Pediatric dentistry has come a long way in recent years. Most children who are properly introduced to
dentistry actually look forward to visiting their pediatric dentist.
Your child's best interest comes first! Please make sure to take your child to a pediatric dentist whom
your child is most comfortable with!
Check the AAPD directory of pediatric dentists to ensure your "children's dentist" is a "pediatric dentist"
specially trained to provide dental care for children! An unpleasant dental appointment in childhood can
have a lasting impression and possibly a lifelong consequence.
Pediatric dentists have years of additional training over and above general dentistry that is specific to
oral health issues in children. They are specifically trained to provide a pleasant experience for your
child. They are also specifically trained to attend to developmental and clinical oral health issues in
children.
Dr. Shah's speciality training and above all, her commitment to help children and her ability to connect
with them enables her to put children at ease. We are confident that your child and you will find our
clinic to be the dental clinic of choice for your child.
| What can a parent do to calm an anxious child? |
DISCUSSING DENTISTRY
WITH YOUR CHILD
WITH YOUR CHILD
PARENTS IN THE TREATMENT
ROOM
ROOM
SPEAK UP
A child should not be misled
about their dental treatment.
When preparing your child for a
visit to our clinic, avoid using
phrases such as "It won't hurt"
or "Be brave". Instead, help
your child be comfortable and
unafraid of dental checkups.
It is normal for a child to
attempt to avoid new
experiences, so as a parent, do
not overreact. Trying to bolster
a child's courage prior to a
dental visit often has an
opposite effect.
In discussing dentistry with
your child, do not use words
that frighten them, like
"needle", "shot", or "drilling",
"pull", "hurt" etc. Terms such
as a "little pinch", "sleepy
water for your tooth", and
"tooth tickler", are much better
understood and accepted by
children.
Dr. Shah can help you with the
appropriate words to use in
discussing dentistry with your
child.
about their dental treatment.
When preparing your child for a
visit to our clinic, avoid using
phrases such as "It won't hurt"
or "Be brave". Instead, help
your child be comfortable and
unafraid of dental checkups.
It is normal for a child to
attempt to avoid new
experiences, so as a parent, do
not overreact. Trying to bolster
a child's courage prior to a
dental visit often has an
opposite effect.
In discussing dentistry with
your child, do not use words
that frighten them, like
"needle", "shot", or "drilling",
"pull", "hurt" etc. Terms such
as a "little pinch", "sleepy
water for your tooth", and
"tooth tickler", are much better
understood and accepted by
children.
Dr. Shah can help you with the
appropriate words to use in
discussing dentistry with your
child.
Infants and some young children
may feel more confident when
parents stay close during
treatment. With older children,
doctor-child communication is
often enhanced if parents remain
in the reception room.
If Dr. Shah requests you to leave
the treatment area, do not feel
that you are abandoning your
child. Some children react well
when a parent is present, while
others behave better when the
parent is out of the child's sight.
The age of a child and their
previous dental experiences are
just two factors amongst many
that will help Dr. Shah make the
best decision regarding your
presence in the room.
may feel more confident when
parents stay close during
treatment. With older children,
doctor-child communication is
often enhanced if parents remain
in the reception room.
If Dr. Shah requests you to leave
the treatment area, do not feel
that you are abandoning your
child. Some children react well
when a parent is present, while
others behave better when the
parent is out of the child's sight.
The age of a child and their
previous dental experiences are
just two factors amongst many
that will help Dr. Shah make the
best decision regarding your
presence in the room.
We take pride and pleasure in
helping children and share your
concern about your child's oral
health and emotional well being.
Please inform us of any incident
or condition that might be helpful
in understanding you child's
behaviour.
A child who is not feeling well,
running a fever, or just getting
over a bout with allergies is not
likely to cooperate. Furthermore,
the child's emotional behaviour
should be discussed with Dr.
Shah before an appointment
since their emotional behaviour
can severely be affected by
divorce, illness, a death in the
family, or problems in school.
Such information is helpful and
necessary for us to work
successfully with your child.
helping children and share your
concern about your child's oral
health and emotional well being.
Please inform us of any incident
or condition that might be helpful
in understanding you child's
behaviour.
A child who is not feeling well,
running a fever, or just getting
over a bout with allergies is not
likely to cooperate. Furthermore,
the child's emotional behaviour
should be discussed with Dr.
Shah before an appointment
since their emotional behaviour
can severely be affected by
divorce, illness, a death in the
family, or problems in school.
Such information is helpful and
necessary for us to work
successfully with your child.
| It is important that you and us support one another in managing your child's behaviour. Your child will gain confidence and develop the trust needed to become an enthusiastic participant in their personal dental hygiene and professional dental care. |
| It is important that you and us support one another in managing your child's behaviour. Your child will gain confidence and develop the trust needed to become an enthusiastic participant in their personal dental hygiene and professional dental care. How does starting dental visits at six months of age help ease anxiety in children? Beginning your child's dental examinations as early as six months of age starts building a caring and cooperative relationship between your pediatric dentist and your child. It is during the first eight months of life that your baby will learn to trust people, to know that they are being cared for. Your child's first dental examination should be when their first tooth is emerging, at approximately six months. This examination allows us the opportunity to examine the development and shape of the jaws and the condition of the oral tissues. On your first visit you can also learn about the importance of good oral hygiene and nutrition in the development of your child's teeth. Do not be overly concerned if your child exhibits some anxious behavior. Dr. Shah is very good at helping anxious children feel secure during dental treatment. It is her mission and commitment to work with your child to help them alleviate their anxiety. Children are the focus of our dental clinic. Our team members choose to work in a pediatric dental practice because they like caring for and working with kids. Most children are calm, comfortable and confident in our dental clinic. During treatment some children squirm, and may become difficult to control. This behaviour is not unique to the dental office. Separation anxiety is normal and will soon diminish. Preschoolers frequently avoid Santa Claus at the shopping mall, or cry when the baby-sitter arrives. That said, Dr. Shah's pediatric training and her experience exclusively working with children makes her most capable of putting your child at ease. |
| What if a child misbehaves during treatment? Dr. Shah and her team are experienced in coping with this behaviour. Occasionally a child's behaviour during treatment requires assertive management to protect him or her from possible injury. Voice control (speaking calmly but firmly) usually takes care of it. Mild sedation, such as nitrous oxide (laughing gas), may benefit an anxious child. If a child is especially fearful or requires extensive treatment, other sedative techniques or general anesthesia may be recommended. |
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