Preparing for the First Dentist Visit
Around the age of 3, many toddlers visit the dentist for the first time. Unlike the doctor, this is a specialist your child visits just a few times per year so there are many unknowns associated with this experience. I have good news for you though, you can prepare your child to have a wonderful experience by doing just a few things.
Visit the office beforehand. By visiting the office before the visit, there will be familiarity associated with returning. Feeling more comfortable that your child already knows the staff and dentist and what the experience will look like.
Role Play. Invite your child to be the dentist and you can play the patient. You can take turns checking each other in and inspecting teeth. This makes it feel more silly and relaxed.
Read a personalized social story. By creating a social story for the experience, the child has visuals for what to expect. There are pictures of the dentist, the office and even your child brushing his or her teeth! By reading this book over and over again, it helps the child feel more comfortable with the experience.
Schedule the appointment for first thing in the morning. If it is later in the day, the child may think about the appointment all day which can cause worried feelings to build. This gives the child to experience it right away and then feel accomplished for the rest of the day!
Bring something comforting for the child. Whether it’s a lovey, a favorite book or blanket, this can make a big difference for the child. Knowing that he or she can hold onto something while in the exam chair makes things seem a little less scary.
Resources and Play for Dentist Prep
Have you taken your child to the dentist yet? How did it go? Share what worked below.
Best,
Tamar
