Before the Appointment

1. Talk positively about the dentist.

Use simple, encouraging language such as:

• "The dentist is going to count your teeth."
• "They're going to make your teeth shiny and clean."
• "We're going to help keep your smile healthy."

Avoid saying:

• "It won't hurt."
• "Don't be scared."
• "You don't need to cry."
• Any discussion about a “shot.” We use “tooth glitter” and “tooth sleepy juice”

These phrases can unintentionally suggest there is something to fear.

2.Read children's books about the dentist.

Reading together helps children know what to expect. Great options include:

• The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist
• Daniel Goes to the Dentist

3. Play "Dentist" at home.

Let your child:

• Open wide.
• Count each other's teeth.
• Practice brushing stuffed animals' teeth.
• Lie back on the couch while you "clean" their teeth with a toothbrush.

Making it a game builds familiarity.

4. Watch kid-friendly dental videos.

Short educational videos can help children see other kids having fun at the dentist and normalize the experience.

5. Practice opening wide.

Have your child practice:

• Sitting still for a minute or two.
• Opening wide like an alligator.
• Keeping their hands on their tummy.

These simple games prepare them for the appointment.

The Day of the Appointment

• Brush before arriving
• Arrive a few minutes early so they can get comfortable

During the Appointment

Parents can help by:

• Remaining calm and confident.
• Letting the dental team guide the appointment.
• Praising cooperation instead of promising rewards for "being brave."

For younger children, following the team's recommendations about whether a parent stays in the treatment room often leads to the best outcome.

Avoid Bribes

Instead of saying: "If you don't cry, I'll buy you a toy."

Try: "I'm excited to see how well you can open big like an alligator!"

This focuses on the behavior rather than the reward.

Practice at Home

A few minutes each day can make a big difference:

• Brush for two minutes.
• Practice spitting into the sink.
• Count teeth together.
• Say "Ahhh!"
• Open wide for 10–20 seconds at a time.

Encourage Independence

If your child is old enough:

• Let them answer the assistant’s, hygienist’s, and dentist's questions.
• Encourage them to sit in the chair by themselves.
• Allow our dental team to build trust directly with your child.

Children gain confidence when they're given the opportunity to participate independently.

How You Can Help Your Child Have a Great Dental Visit

• 😊 Speak positively about the dentist.
• 📚 Read books or watch videos about dental visits.
• 🦷 Practice opening wide and counting teeth at home.
• ⏰ Arrive rested and on time.
• 👏 Praise your child for listening and trying their best.
• ❤️ Trust the dental team—we work with children every day and know how to make visits fun, gentle, and successful.

With preparation, patience, and a positive attitude, most children become more comfortable with each visit and build healthy habits that can last a lifetime.

We find that most children focus and cooperate much better when they can interact one-on-one with our team. For routine cleaning appointments over age 2, we recommend you make yourself comfortable in the waiting room during your child’s dental visit. We'll take great care of them and bring them right back to you when we're done.

If a visit requires additional time, staff, or specialized behavior guidance techniques to help your child feel as comfortable and safe as possible, a Behavior Management Fee may be added to the visit. This is a standard fee we use whenever additional behavior guidance is necessary. Some insurance plans cover this code, while others do not. Coverage is determined by your individual plan, but the fee reflects the additional time and clinical resources required during the appointment.