Bringing your little one to the dentist for the first time can be stressful: Will they sit in the chair? Will they open their mouth for the dentist? Will they be scared? Then add a pandemic where they haven’t been away from their grown-ups much if at all… no wonder we have parents calling us left and right voicing concerns and asking if they really need to bring their kiddo to the dentist or if they can push it off.
Well, at Convivial Dental we believe that pushing off a dental exam (even during a pandemic) can be harmful to your child’s oral development. It’s important to start good dental habits early and that includes visiting the dentist twice a year for a cleaning. That said, we know how stressed out you are - we’re parents too! That’s why we work hard to ensure that your child doesn’t experience any stress or anxiety while at our practice - in COVID times and normal life as well. Read on to learn more about how our practice strives for the best experience possible - for grown-up AND kiddo.
Positivity Goes a Long Way
Children feed off what they see their grown-ups expressing. If you’re anxious, they will be too. Rest assured that as a pediatric dental office, we specialize in kids as young as 1 year old and we know how to keep them positive and relaxed.
Before the pandemic, we ensured that our waiting room was full of toys to keep your child entertained prior to their appointment. While we can’t do that right now, we’re always waiting to greet you at the door with a bright happy atmosphere, happy voices and smiling eyes above our masks!
Plus, you are always welcome to stay in the examination room with your child. They’ll sense your calm and they’ll feel more comfortable knowing you’re right there with them for the entire appointment.
Distraction and Relaxation
Think about your last spa visit...feels like an eternity ago, we’re sure! There was probably soft music to relax you. Well, at Convivial Dental we ensure there is fun music and great energy throughout the office. We also have TV screens on the ceiling for your kiddo and they are able to choose the movie or cartoon they would like to watch and listen to on (sanitized) headphones. This will help distract them while they lay back during a procedure and help support their sense of relaxation.
Listening and Explaining
We care about you and your kiddos. That’s why we start every visit with a conversation. Your child is invited to tell us about their day and any concerns they may have, then we follow up with an explanation of what we’ll be doing. Often children (and adults!) will lose their fears by simply understanding what is happening, when and why.
We encourage you to do some reading with your child prior to their appointment. There are some wonderful children’s books about going to the dentist that will help them understand what will happen before they arrive. Some suggestions are: Curious George Visits the Dentist, Celebrate! Going to the Dentist, Dentist Trip (Peppa Pig) and Just Going to the Dentist (Little Critter). Links are provided but we encourage you to go to your favorite local bookstore!
Sedation
For those children who need just a little extra TLC, we do offer nitrous oxide, a sedation technique commonly used to reduce anxiety and alleviate any pain. Topical pain relievers can also be useful for children with sensitive teeth eliminating discomfort.
For more complex dental issues, extreme anxiety, or a fear of needles, we can provide deeper sedation prior to your child’s appointment via a liquid or tablet sedative.
At Convivial Dental we care about your teeth but we also care about your mental and emotional well being. If you have further concerns about booking an appointment please give us a call - we’re happy to discuss and answer any questions.
If you’re ready to schedule your appointment call us today at 617-735-0800 or click below to get started. We can’t wait to see you and your little one!
