I am scared to death of dentists. How do I keep my child from growing up with the same fears?

Thank goodness times have dramatically changed in the delivery of children’s dentistry.  The specialty of pediatric dentistry has seen a huge growth in the last 15 years.  These dentists are specially trained to be aware of and manage the unique feelings and fears of a developing child.  The fact that dentists chose this specialty also means they enjoy and are comfortable working with children.  In turn, these specialists hire staff that also enjoy working with children.

In spite of these changes, it is easy to pass on fears to your child if you are not careful.  First, never talk about dentistry in negative or scary terms in front of your child.  Don’t say things like, they are going to give you a shot or its only going to hurt for a little while or they are going to drill your teeth.  A young child’s imagination can create all types of unrealistic thoughts and images.

The best way to avoid dental fear is to start dental visits by age one and find a dentist who specializes in children.  This way the child starts off with easy preventive oriented visits and gives them time to become comfortable with the dental team.  During these visits the dentist and staff will give you more advice and tips on how to raise your child with a comfortable and healthy attitude towards dental care.

Please don’t wait until your child has a problem before taking them to the dentist.  Starting off with difficult or emergency care often will leave a child with lasting negative impressions.