Dentist Techniques for Children

A pediatric dentist is a dental professional who is called upon to deal with the oral health care of children. Many people may not know this but there are several techniques that these professionals need to learn and know in order to manage their clients when they are in the clinic. The way that adults are dealt with is highly different from dealing with the smaller versions. There is a need to minimize, or avoid, any shock or trauma that kids might have when going to the clinic. This stems from the fact that visits to this particular office is a necessity in the years to come.

This is one of the easier ways that kids can be more comfortable at the dental office. The dentist is most likely to encourage the child to explore and ask questions about the many different things there are in the clinic. In the event that the child may be somewhat shy, the oral health care provider will introduce the many different and new things that may be present in the area. It is important that the child be made to understand that the instruments and machines found in this place are nothing to be afraid of.

The parents are encouraged to help explain in simple terms the use of the instruments and the machines. The dentist can enlist the help of the parents in a private meeting, minus the child. In this initial meeting between the dental professional and the parents, the various techniques and methods are explained to the parents. The meeting is usually an in depth explanation of what could and will happen in the clinic with the child. In this meeting, some of the techniques that may be applied to difficult children may be discussed such as the use of sedatives and the reward method. Children prone to anxiety and distress may need to be given a sedative to lessen the trauma. The reward method is giving or taking away something in order to achieve positive results.

After the initial child and dentist meeting, the next meeting is likely to be a cleaning session in which the teeth are to be checked and cleaned. This tentative first foray into the initiation of the child with dental tools and machines is likely to be short and stress free. The point of this visit is to see how the individual reacts to the tools, implements and machines introduction into the oral cavity. During the cleaning, if the child responds positively to it, the dental professional should reward the positive response with praise. Afterwards, tangible rewards may also be given such as stickers and other objects which appeal to children.

Once the kids are familiar and responding positively to the dental professional and the area, serious dentistry will be applied on whatever needs it. Some children may have a difficult time responding positively to the dental experience and both parents and oral health care provider will need to make more positive reinforcement in order to encourage the child.