Do's and Dont's
DOs while bringing your child for dental visit
- Tell your child that you are going to a friend / uncle who's also a doctor and likes children and he may just check his/her teeth.
- Tell him/her that getting teeth examined regularly may help finding problems - blackness, cavities early.
- If possible, both the parents must remain present with the child in the first visit.
- Give your doctor enough time to talk to your child. The time spent initially on building rapport and gaining his/her confidence will in turn save the time required for treatment later.
- 85-90 % Children can cooperate for all dental treatments. Help your doctor in not only treating the child but instilling in him/her, a positive attitude towards dentistry.
- Whenever the doctor wishes leave your child alone with him. The 1:1 communication between your child and the doctor is the key to successful dental treatment.
- Get your child's complete medical record (including immunization status) for doctor's assessment. Also get his/her school performance card.
- Insist on understanding complete treatment programme, including the preventive measures and follow-up
DONTs while bringing your child for dental visit
- Do not tell your child about pain, blood, injections, etc. in the first place.
- Don't tell him/her something like - "because you don't brush you teeth properly, doctor will give you an injection.." or "because you eat chocolates, your spoiled teeth will be removed by doctor"!
- Do not insist on starting the treatment in the first appointment itself.
- Do not voice your own fears about dentistry (pain, blood, etc) in front of children. Your dentist can answer your queries separately.
- Avoid dental appointments during the naptime or when he/she is too tired.
- Don't bribe him/her with a gift beforehand. You may reward an appropriate behaviour in the clinic (if obtained) later.
- Don't make complaints of the child's behaviour to the doctor. Also, don't expect perfect behaviour at all visits.
- Don't promise him/her in advance about the time the doctor would take a treat, the pain he/she might get, etc. which can mislead him/her. Simply say you don't know.
