Categories: Pediatric Dentist

A Pediatric Dentist Talks About Making a Child’s First Visit Exceptional

Being a pediatric dentist means that we work with children on a daily basis, and as such, we have learned the importance of making their visits to our clinic the most comfortable they can be. One of the most important moments for a child is the very first time they come in to see their pediatric dentist. We know from numerous studies done that the first impression a child forms of the dentist office is often one they carry with them into adulthood.

We found that among the 45 percent of people who do not visit the dentist on a regular basis, a large portion of them can point to a dental situation in their childhood that left them with a bad memory. The importance of this first visit cannot be overstated. It also cannot be overstated how much of an impact a parent will have on a child's memory before, during, and after the appointment.

During the appointment, it is very important that you portray to your child that you are calm and confident. Children look to their parents for guidance, even at the most subliminal level. When they are at the pediatric dentist, this is even more pronounced. The child will find themselves in a strange environment with people dressed in strange clothes (scrubs or lab coats), unfamiliar sounds and smells, and then there is the chair, which scares many adults and can have the same effect on children.

However, when the parent seems calm, the child will feel the same way. As you offer reassurance, any fears the child may feel will turn into natural curiosity, which is exactly how they should feel. On the other hand, if you show anxiety or concern, the child may exhibit the same emotions, making it much harder to convince them that this is a safe and friendly place.

As a pediatric dentist, the one thing we are intimately aware of is how important it is to feed a child's curiosity. As such, we are always willing to answer a million questions and break things down into easy to understand verbiage that is child-friendly and will not scare them. However, we also know that your child will have many questions for you at home. We believe you should have these conversations with your child. Naturally, you will want to keep them age-appropriate both in content and in length.

Pediatric Dentist in Austin

We also strongly recommend you do not go into any details about what we do as a dentist, focusing instead on keeping the conversation fun and upbeat. This will help build your child's confidence and have them excited to come in and see the pediatric dentist. The more you talk your child through something, the better they will enjoy it. Once you arrive at the pediatric dentist, you should take a few moments to speak with your child's dentist so you can be on the same page with regard to goals, questions, and concerns you might have.

Live in Austin, TX and have questions about a pediatric dentist? Give us a call at (512) 266-1308.

Recent Posts

Common Pediatric Dentistry Questions

As an Austin, TX pediatric dentistry office we work with a lot of parents that are concerned about the oral health of their children, and understandably so. We depend on parents to partner with us so that we can take care of teeth in our office while parents are supervising the oral hygiene routine at…

Visit Our Pediatric Dentistry Office To Discuss Braces And If Your Child May Need Them

Braces are common and in our pediatric dentistry office, we regularly recommend that children have an orthodontics treatment.  This can be important for the appearance and health of teeth because straight teeth are easier to clean with a reduced risk of cavities.  Simultaneously an aligned bite will make it easier to eat, speak, and sleep.…

Keep Your Kids Healthy With Help From A Pediatric Dentist

The biggest challenge a pediatric dentist faces does not come in the form of cavities, but in parents who do not realize how prevalent pediatric dental disease is. When you start to look at the number of children who have a pediatric dental disease, also known as childhood tooth decay, it is quite alarming. Over…

A Kid Friendly Dentist Gives Cavity Prevention Tips

There are certain things parents can do to help their child with cavity prevention. While visiting a Kid Friendly Dentist for checkups and routine cleanings certainly help, much of the care required for cavity prevention takes place at home. By helping your child practice good oral hygiene, you can avoid the need for dental fillings…


Austin Lakes Dentistry: Scott T Gordon DDS

Share
Published by
Austin Lakes Dentistry: Scott T Gordon DDS

Recent Posts

Top Reasons to Consider Dental Veneers for Your Teeth

Dental veneers are coverings that sit on the front, visible surfaces of the teeth.

4 months ago

4 Reasons to Get General Dentistry Preventive Treatments

Preventive care often gets overlooked as it relates to general dentistry, however, it plays a…

5 months ago

How an Experienced Implant Dentist Can Improve Your Smile

An implant dentist can replace one or more missing teeth and thereby improve the appearance…

6 months ago

Indications for a Root Canal: What To Look Out For

A root canal is a procedure that dentists can perform to stop infection inside a…

7 months ago

How to Prepare Your Child for Their First Dental Cleaning

Parents can prepare their children for a dental cleaning appointment by explaining the process and…

8 months ago

Cleaning Tips From a General Dentist

Despite what many people think, a general dentist wants to see strong, healthy teeth when…

9 months ago