A child’s first dental visit is a potential source of anxiety for both the child and their caregiver(s). The dental office includes an array of sensory experiences likely to be foreign to young children, including unfamiliar sights, sounds, and bodily sensations. Caregivers may approach the dental visit with their own anxieties regarding their child(ren)’s ability to cope with the experience (especially where children have sensory processing sensitivities) and/or their own abilities to comprehend and meet oral healthcare needs of the child(ren) in their care.

Ready for the Dentist! will introduce children to the dental visit both conceptually and physically, engaging them in demonstration and discussion regarding the various dental professionals they may meet on their visit, what those professionals do within the office and how they will likely interact with the child, how dental professionals influence our communities for good, and why it is critical to visit the dentist regularly. Further, the program will lay a foundation for what children may expect during a dental visit, introducing them in a fun, individually-paced, and low-stakes environment to the various experiences and especially bodily sensations associated with a dental visit, including the touch and feel of a dentist’s chair, dental bib, and x-ray apron, and the opportunity to see and/or touch various dental instruments.

Check out these resources to learn more about preparing your child(ren) for a visit to the dentist!