How to prepare for my child’s First Dental Visit?

Fear and anxiety are common for anyone during a dental visit, more so if it's your child's first visit. Here is how to prepare yourself, your child and the dentist while your kid is visiting a dentist for the first time.

Let’s start with the When first. When do I take my child to the dentist? Experts recommend that the first dental visit of a child should be scheduled within 6 months of teeth eruption, that is ideally before the child’s first birthday (before 12 months)

Scheduling the appointment- When it comes to scheduling an appointment for a child below 4 years of age, always ask for a morning appointment when the child is fresh, the dentist is well rested and you as a parent are also brisk and are able to handle the situation. Making the first appointment of the day also means that you don’t have to wait at the dentist's office.

Preparing your child- Like said previously, make sure your child is well rested. If your infant has an older sibling who is familiar and comfortable with the dental office can also get an appointment for both the kids together.

If your child is a preschooler try to explain to your child about a dentist and why it is important to visit one. Make the visit fun and exciting for the child. Avoid using the words like doctor, X ray, needles and injection rather use terms like teeth washing, brushing, water jet/ spray, tooth photos.

Preparing Yourself- It is of utmost importance that as a parent to prepare oneself before your child’s visit. Any fear/ anxiety towards dentistry in the parent can be reciprocated by the child during the child. So being calm, composed and relaxed helps the child to be less anxious during the visit. You can bring your child’s favourite toy during the visit.

Always remember that your child’s age can affect his/ her behaviour during the visit. As an infant (0-12 months) the child is very much attached and will be upset on seeing a stranger in a new environment (a dentist in a dental office). A preschooler (1- 3 years) is also attached to his/ her parents and has the fear of separation and always says ‘no’, they are also not mature enough to sit by themselves for procedures like getting a cavity filled.

Preparing the Dentist- Make sure that your dentist is aware that it’s the child’s first dental visit.

Give the dentist’s office basic details like the child’s name and age. You can also explain the general behaviour of your child, as in if he/she is timid, shy, stubborn, anxious, outgoing which would help the dentist to guide your child accordingly.

That’s all for now. We will come back with What to expect during a Child’s first dental visit in the next article.