You see and hear about it everywhere: children and adults alike are nervous about going to the dentist. In fact, in many cases, they’re more than nervous. They have dental-related anxiety.
Dentophobia, or simply dental fear and anxiety (DFA) is incredibly common, not only in North America, but also around the world. According to various studies and reports, 74% of children and adolescents report anxiety, and one in ten of them suffer from a severe phobia that almost entirely inhibits them from going to the dentist’s office at all.
There are several reasons why kids feel anxious about visiting the dentist. Many of them are similar to the reasons that adults are scared, including being self-conscious about their oral health and a generalized fear of needles. Other concerns are more child-specific, like the fear of the unknown, having never actually been to the dentist before, and a general feeling of powerlessness.
Whatever the reason, as a dentist, it’s important that you do your best to alleviate your patient’s concerns.
Here are a few tips to help kids deal with their dental jitters for any procedure, and ensure a pleasant experience for everyone!
Your office is part of your marketing. IDS Kids designs and builds themed spaces that parents remember and share, for single offices and multi-location groups. See our pediatric dental office decor projects for ideas.
Communicate with Kids
The most important place to start is by talking to the kids themselves. By nature, kids are naturally curious and eager to explore the world around them. Here’s are some examples of ways you can ensure you’re communicating clearly and effectively with your young patients:
- Talk to your patient directly, not “around” them. While communication with parents is important too (see below), it’s important that the child be at the center of your attention.
- Ask them about their life and hobbies! Get them comfortable and laughing before you get down the the serious business.
- Speak calmly and use simple, familiar words to ease children’s dental anxiety. Don’t overcomplicate things, medical words and confusing terms can be scary and cause their imgaintions to run wild.
- Be the “hype-wo/man” so to speak, and praise them throughout the appointment. Positive reinforcement is absolutely key, and works wonders on easing stress. You can always promise them a trip to a prize cabinet or treausre drawer as a fun reward to look forward to.
Talk to Parents
Building trust with parents is another important part of helping kids feel comfortable at the dentist. Research on parental and child dental anxiety suggests that parents’ fear of the dentist is linked to dental fear and anxiety in their children.
Consider the following when talking to parents:
- Provide them with some key “talking points” in advance. A great guide that you can provide parents is The Kids’ Guide to the Dentist, a fun story that takes kids through their first dental visit and what they can expect.
- Address parents’ concerns. Parental dental fear is linked to dental anxiety in children. Listen to parents’ worries and explain what to expect so they feel more comfortable supporting their child.
- Share resources they can use at home. Give parents the Kids’ Guide to the Dentist activity booklet to explore with their children before their first visit or between appointments.
By communicating clearly with parents and providing them with the resources that they need, you can take another step in reducing overall dental anxiety with your young patients.
Create a Welcoming Space
On top of open communication with your patients and their parents, one of the most important things you can do to help with dental anxiety is to provide a welcoming and friendly environment.
A welcoming environment can take a few different shapes. Some suggestions include:
- Offer children’s books about the dentist that kids and their parents can read together while waiting. Stories about dental visits can introduce children to what they might experience.
- Sometimes, a fresh coat of paint can make a space feel more welcoming. Explore dental office colour schemes for inspiration. Within a general practice, consider adding a custom children’s play area with colourful decor and activities that give young patients something to explore while they wait.
- Create a space made just for kids. A private room or even just a corner that acts as a welcoming space for children to hang out in before their appointment makes kids feel special.
- If your practice primarily serves children, consider extending themed decor beyond one designated play area into reception, hallways, and treatment rooms. Explore these dental office design examples for inspiration. Bringing playful details throughout your practice can make the environment feel more welcoming and give children something positive to focus on during their visit.
By helping kids deal with dental anxiety at a young age, you will instill healthy habits within them, helping to ensure that they don’t grow into overly anxious adults that avoid proper oral health solely out of fear.
For more ideas on how to transform your dental office into the most welcoming space possible for kids, contact Imagination Design Studios (IDS Kids) to talk to a creative consultant today.
