We Love Kids

Here at The Dentists Dorridge, we love kids. We have enough of them between us, so we know the importance of not only introducing your child to the dentist but how difficult it can be to get them here.

Below we’ve put together our top tips on how to make your child’s visit here as pleasant as possible. You can always phone the surgery to talk to us about any problems you may be having before or even after your child’s visit.

Here’s our top tips to get your kids to the dentist

Start young
Introducing them to us early on can create a positive bond, don’t wait until there is a dental problem which can have the opposite affect. 

Keep it simple
There’s no need to go into too much detail about what happens at a check-up, keep it simple to prevent unnecessary anxiety

Mind your language
Don’t say, ‘Don’t worry. It won’t hurt.‘ Of course you mean to reassure your child but his mind is going to zero in on the word hurt. Checkups and 90 percent of first visits are nearly always pain-free, so steer clear of that concept entirely

Playtime
Why not have a pretend ‘playtime’ visit to the dentist at home, but remember to keep it simple and fun!

No storytelling
Many of us have stories of our dental visits and not all of them pleasant, don’t tell these stories while your children are around, they pick up on more than you think 

The importance of teeth
Teach your child that visiting the dentist is a necessity, that the dentist will take care of their teeth so that they are strong enough for them to eat. You might also explain that the dentist helps keep cavities at bay and ensures that our patients will have a beautiful smile for years to come.

kids-drawing

No bribes
We do not recommend promising your child a special treat if they behave well at the dentist. Doing so will only increase their apprehension. Saying, “If you don’t fuss or cry, you’ll get a lollipop,” might make your little one think, “What’s so bad about the dentist that I might want to cry?” Promising a sugary treat also sends the wrong message after a dentist emphasises having clean, healthy teeth by avoiding sweets that can cause cavities.  

Be prepared
it is normal and age-appropriate for a young child to cry, whine, wiggle, and not want to be examined by a stranger. Stay calm and remember that we are used to working with children. Let us guide you; You’ll both be in safe hands for your kids dental care.

Did you know that you can bring your child to the dentist’s office to get acquainted before the day of their actual checkup?