July 2011

It is a common misconception that children don’t like dentists. The truth is that kids love dentists! Don’t believe me?

Dentists are a lot like police officers. No one wants to be in a police officer’s chair. Whenever you see a cop, someone is in trouble. And unless you really need an officer, you’re pretty happy to keep your distance.

So how can we expect children to like dentists when going to a dental visit might as well be a trip to the county jail? Well, the secret is rather simple… Make it fun! As you know, kids like to have fun; and when a dental visit becomes, say, a trip to the “space man’s chair” where a drill is “Mr. Whistler” and loose baby teeth are given “sunshine” not EXTRACTED how can the trip NOT be fun?

Entertainment helps, too. Music players, games, books, you name it, it helps. Distraction, distraction, distraction! Whether it’s supplied by your dentist… I mean, your “space captain” … or whether you bring the distraction device yourself, everything helps.

Finally, let’s not forget the power of suggestion! How a parent talks to her child about dentistry does more to influence a his behavior than anything! Never say pain, shot, hurt, cut, yank, or extract. And the worst of them all: “if you’re bad, the dentist is going to give you a shot!” Really?

It also helps if your dentist acts silly, rides a unicycle, and happily juggles knives, pins, and plungers! Because in the end, kids like fun. Keepin’ it fun will keep your child smiling for years!

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