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Here's a horror story: (linked from dip's home page) http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1582955/Girl-with-dentist-phobia-dies-after-teeth-surgery.html
I'm sure this is an unusual case, truly the extreme, but no one wants our children so upset about going to the dentist the child won't even open their mouth for them.
How do you help your child feel comfortable? How do we help our children feel comfortable from the first appointment and relaxed for the others? Are most of the dentists you've met quite competent with children or do you feel like you need to hover over them?
When I was a kid I was very, and I mean very, afraid of the dentist. Unfortunately I also had horrible teeth, and needed to see a dentist. They ended up putting me to sleep while they did some routine work, all at one time.
It's a shame that this girl had to die though.
Wow, that's a terrible story. It's unfortunate that a lot of parents don't take their children's fears as being real. I think that offering a reward for the end of the visit is a good idea, and maybe even allowing them to take a security blanket or stuffed animal.
Do you think it's best on their first few initial visits that the parent not go in with the child? Some dentists don't mind, others think the parent makes things worse. What have you found to be best?
Honestly, I don't think it matters. It should all be about the child and how comfortable the child feels. I know that my parents went into the room with me a couple times, and then once I got used to it, there were no problems with them leaving. The parents only make things worse if they step in and interfere.
No, I do not think that the child should be made to go in alone. The dentist can be a scary place, and each child responds differently to fear. Some are less nervous alone, others are not, and YOU, not the dentist, knows your child. You know if they need you.
In the case of this poor child who died, her death could have been prevented if the parents were in there, if they had known what the dentist was doing instead of the dentist making such a huge decision on his own. A decision that cost the child her life.
I am completely with BraceFace on this issue. There is no way that the dentist should be able to separate you and your child against either of your will. If you don't want to leave your child with them alone, you should be able to be in the room. If the dentist isn't okay with this, I would find a new one right away.
I used one dentist where we tried both. My son wouldn't do either one, in fact he wouldn't see the dentist for two years. The books may say a certain age to start, but I started when he was more calm. Now he doesn't mind going at all. He's good as gold and thrilled with the stickers at the end.
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