Expert’s guide to overcoming dental anxiety in children.
With one in five Australian adults and one in 10 children reporting a fear associated with going to the dentist, dental anxiety is an uncomfortable, yet incredibly common experience. Fortunately, it is an obstacle that can be overcome.
To make your child’s next trip to the dentist less anxiety-inducing, there are several solutions that can assist any hesitant patient. The right dental team, transparency and a clear direction are often key to helping any nervous little ones.
Overcoming dental anxiety in children
Six-step guide to overcoming dental anxiety, so you can get your kids through their next dentist visit stress-free.
- Source a trustworthy dentist. The first step to overcoming dental anxiety is to find a dentist you trust and respect, and who will treat you and your children with empathy and patience. There are many dentists who will go above and beyond to ensure that your child is comfortable and at ease during their visit. Unfortunately, one past negative experience can leave children anxious and hesitant to return to the dentist again. When seeking a new dentist, it is important to organise an initial consultation to have an open conversation with them upfront. This way, you can have your concerns addressed before committing to a dentist and starting treatment for your child. Online tools such as AirSmile can also help you find the most appropriate dentist and provide helpful advice and reassurance.
- Design a step-by-step plan with your dentist. After you find a dentist that you and your child feel comfortable with, I advise allowing them to conduct a comprehensive exam, including x-rays, photos, models (if needed), and any other diagnostic tests they need to determine a treatment plan. Having a solid plan in place and talking through it with the dentist will help you feel in control and alleviate any anxiety. A step-by-step plan also provides better visibility over your child’s treatment – you’ll know what to expect during each dental visit, from the procedures your dentist will conduct, down to the tools they will use. The fear of not knowing what comes next is often the most debilitating concern deterring people from seeking dental care.
- Be present during the appointment for support. Remaining in the room for your child’s dental visit can drastically improve their feelings of stress and anxiety, and will allow you to provide reassurance throughout. Whether this is you child’s first visit to the dentist or they are simply nervous, having a parent to lean on, talk to and provide words of encouragement, can help build their confidence for future dental appointments. Dentists can be very accommodating for children and will often have toys available or a screen for them to watch. Often, knowing a parent is there to support is all a child needs to get through an appointment stress-free.
- Maintain a positive attitude in the face of setbacks. Ensuring that your children are informed about what is going to happen during their appointment is essential to combating anxiety. The truth is that not all visits will be the same. Your dentist will prepare you and your child for every possible scenario, however, some appointments may be harder or longer than others. Unless absolutely necessary, avoid using words such as ‘needles’ or ‘drills’, that may be frightening to your child. Factors such as your mood can also affect how your child responds to a treatment, and it is not uncommon for a parent’s panic to be reflected in the child in the dental surgery. Dental teams are well-trained to take action and help keep you and your child calm and, above all, safe. Dentists take great pride in helping children overcome their fears. Once you combat these hurdles and setbacks, your child will likely feel better prepared for their next visit.
- Ask for extra help to alleviate your child’s dental anxiety. Other than developing a healthy and realistic mindset around your child’s anxiety, there are also several things you can ask for during an appointment to make your child feel more comfortable. Don’t hesitate to ask your dentist for numbing gel, local or general anaesthetic, face massages, loud music, blankets, TV, lots of talking or silence, or simply a hand to hold. Communicating your child’s preferences or fears can allow you to work with the dentist to overcome your kid’s dental anxiety and ensure they’re receiving the best care possible.
- Take good care of their teeth. Practicing good oral hygiene at home is the most effective way to maintain your child’s dental health and reduce the number of times they need to see a dentist. Generally, regular check-ups with a dentist should occur twice-yearly. The dentist will rarely need to see your children outside this standard. Avoiding frequent visits can be as simple as teaching children to thoroughly brushing their teeth twice a day, flossing daily and replacing their toothbrush every three months. To stay on top of your child’s dental care, it is also a good idea to book their next visit straight after their appointment.
About Dr Heath Fraser
Dr Heath Fraser is a dentist and founder of national dental service comparison site AirSmile. He has more than 15 years’ experience and is the owner of Avenue Dental Kawana and Fresh Breath Clinic in Queensland, leading a team of more than 20 across the three businesses. A passionate advocate for accessible, affordable and quality dental care for all Australians, Dr Fraser founded AirSmile in 2019 to enable more Australians to access these benefits. The comparison service is free to use and features an all-in-one online platform for Australians to search and compare dentists across the country, book and manage appointments, and access their dental records. Visit www.airsmile.com
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