Turn Your Visit Into a Pleasant Visit

Here are some bread and butter suggestions to make your dental experience a bit more pleasant.

Make your visit fun - just as grandpa is doing for Shaina.

• Make music a part of the visit. Use a smartphone or AirPods.

• Talk to the dentist about your fears. Turn your fears into a conversation.

• Bring along a friend or relative if you think they will provide comfort.

• Ask that your first visit be a meet and greet, and let the office know this in advance.

• Communicate with the dentist while undergoing treatment. Ask the dentist ‘what are you doing’, and ‘how will it feel’. Knowledge is power and anticipation is weakness. When you know what is going to happen you will feel more in control.

• It is common to feel a loss of control at the dentist. This is why your questions, and showing your interest, gives that control back to you.

• Also, dentistry is a famously friendly field. Get to know your dentist. Let him, or her, know about you, about your family, and your interests. Striking up a friendly relationship with your dentist is part of what makes dentistry a special field. I treated many patients from when they were five years old until they were 40 years old. Developing this type of relationship is the best way to let your fears slide away.

• Schedule at a time when the office is quiet, so you don’t have to wait long.

• For the kid’s appointment, reduce stress by bringing along some great dental books such as: Curious George Visits the Dentist, The Crocodile and the Dentist, The Tooth Book by Dr. Seuss.

• Going to the dentist can be fun. Check out Shaina’s first visit above and try to grab some of that good feeling.