How To Handle Dental Anxiety in Children

Going to the dentist can be a nightmare for some children. So much, in fact, that the very thought of going can induce a dental anxiety in around 20 % of children. For dentists, knowing how to help alleviate some of the anxiety for kids can be a massive help. Dealing with a child that doesn’t like the dentist can be some of the hardest work for a dentist. In order to make it easier for all parties involved, knowing how to work with these problematic cases is the only solution for the best treatment. This two part series will look at some of the ways you can create a more welcoming environment for children going to the dentist.

KEEP EVERYONE IN THE LOOP

Create an open dialogue with the family about the procedure, how long it will take and what they should expect. From the child’s perspective, it is vital that you keep them in the loop on the day of the visit. Any sooner than the day of the visit may induce some anxiety, but not telling them until they arrive could lead to disaster. The best way to handle this is by having the parents explain to the child on the day, and have them sugarcoat the scenario slightly. For example, they could say to their child that the dentist is going to count their teeth.

Just prior to any procedure, the dentist should explain any of the sensations the child may feel, such as vibrations of noises such as drilling. The classic tell-show-do method may be used to show the child what is going to be happening throughout. All of these are measures that can help instill a more predictable environment for the young patient.

CREATE A CALMING SPACE

It can be incredibly easy for a child to slip into a panic attack or a bout of anxiety just prior to, or during, a procedure. A fast, safe and calming solution to this is relaxation techniques. By asking the young patient to focus on their breaths for a few seconds, they should be able to calm down and stop feeding their anxiety. If this doesn’t cut it, muscle relaxation techniques are a more effective, but time-consuming, Working their way up from toe to head, the young patient should tense and relax their muscles one at a time. This should calm down any anxious child if they can complete the entire exercise.