Hi Moms and Dads!

Meeting with parents and answering their questions and concerns is as much a part of my daily routine as taking care of their children's teeth. I am devoting this page to answering some of those "Frequently Asked Questions" to help keep you better informed and to help you better maintain your child's dental health. Check this page for regular updates.

Dr. Alan Firestone

DEALING WITH YOUR CHILD'S FEAR

Q. My child is afraid of going to the dentist. Is this normal?

A. Children should be wary of strangers, not their dentist. Sometimes parents who mean well try too hard to explain what will happen at the dental office. Don't get technical. A child's imagination tends to amplify things he or she cannot understand into objects of fear. It is usually best to wait until the day of the appointment to tell the child of the visit, with as little commentary as possible. If you must, simply tell your child that the dentist will count the teeth, look at them and clean them and that he or she will have a good time.

Q. What if my child asks, "will it hurt?"

A. If a child doesn't ask about pain, don't say anything. Most kids won't worry whether it will hurt until their parents start telling them not to worry about it hurting. But if they do ask, the answer is "NO, it won't hurt." The dentist and his staff are trained to make your child's visit as comfortable and pleasant as possible.

Q. I've got a young child. What if he won't cooperate during his first appointment?

A. Most appointments with toddlers are uneventful, but if your child does get excited, the dentist will deal with the situation and help put your child at ease. The dentist knows how to work with young children and gain their confidence. Moms and Dads should not worry about this.

Q. What if my child is going for a filling and he asks "will the dentist give me a shot?"

A. When answering this question, don't be blunt or too direct. A good response would be, "the dentist has some special medicine to make your tooth go to sleep so you won't feel anything." Again, the less said on the subject, the better.

Remember Moms and Dads, the source of your child's fear is not the dentist's office, it's his or her imagination. Once they've experienced the dentist's office as a positive, friendly place, reality will take the place of imagination and the next visit will meet with much less fear and apprehension.