Going to the dentist might be one of the last activities on a list of things kids want to do. We know that, and that’s why we do our best to make our office an enjoyable place for kids. So what makes our dental office more kid-friendly than the rest?
Make it a kid-friendly environment.
We don’t want your kids to feel like they’re in a stuffy place meant for grown-ups. We want them to feel like our office is designed with them in mind. That’s why we fill our office with fun so they can stay feeling like kids instead of being forced to act like they’re doing something only meant for adults.
Make certain the patient knows you care.
The staff should care about the children in their care. We understand that dental visits aren’t kids favorite activities. They may have discomfort and we want to make sure that every irritation is met with compassion. That’s why we train our staff to be understanding of every child’s needs. When they say there’s pain, we listen, we care, and we comfort the situation.
Be a fountain of information.
We explain why we do what we do. Children need a reason so that they may understand what we’re doing to their teeth and why. We want to encourage them to be healthy and that starts with explaining what’s needed to maintain the health of their teeth. We describe our tools in ways that make the whole process less scary. They know that these tools are all bark and no bite because while they look scary, we try to make them as pain-free as possible.
Encourage kids to practice good dental hygiene.
We want your kids to be proactive about their own health. We teach them how to properly brush their teeth and their gums as well as the importance of avid flossing. We believe that kids can help prevent their own cavities and prevent tooth decay. It’s all about getting them excited to keep their pearly whites clean.
Speak to kids like they’re kids.
Kids aren’t adults. They don’t want the logistics. They want fun. That’s why we speak to children in a language they understand. We don’t treat their visits as a business transaction. Our aim is to make them feel safe instead of scared and alone. We’re their playmates for the visit and that’s why we do our very best to make them feel like they’re among friends.
Use sympathizing and kid-friendly words.
At our office, we avoid negative connotations that might make kids apprehensive about their regular dental visits. We never say words like “hurt,” “poke,” “shot,” or “needle,” which can give even grown adults anxiety. Kids need “kid gloves” in certain situations and we always keep a pair handy.
Make their visit a positive experience.
We want your kids to have a lifetime of healthy smiles so we see it as our job to make oral health a positive routine rather than a dreaded chore. We’re starting with a safe and happy environment for children so that they may grow into oral health concerned adults. We don’t want them to fear the dentist. We want them to love the dentist just like we love caring for their teeth.