My Special Needs Child Is Afraid of the Dentist: What Can I Do?

Every parent knows their child needs regular dental care to prevent cavities and other problems while preserving their child’s health and comfort. But for many kids, a trip to the dentist can trigger feelings of nervousness and fear, particularly for kids with special needs.

The team at Yorktown Pediatric Dentistry specializes in special needs dentistry, ensuring every patient gets the care they need while making sure they stay comfortable. Here, our team provides some tips you can use to help ease your child’s worries and make their next dental visit a success.

Visit regularly

We know that if your child is fearful of the dentist, the idea of regular visits might seem counterintuitive. But regular visits are essential for your child’s oral and overall health; like anything new, the more they do it, the more comfortable they’ll feel. Before long, those twice-yearly dental visits will become part of your child’s regular routine.

Get prepared

Taking the mystery out of a dental visit often goes a long way toward helping your child feel more relaxed. Gather materials to help explain the dental visit process to your child step-by-step. You can find a list of resources on the CDC website and the American Dental Association (among others).

Make it fun

Look for children’s books about going to the dentist or make up your own story with your child. Use a stuffed animal or doll to “role play” a dentist visit so you can explain what your child can expect while they act it out. Make a habit of taking your child’s picture on the day of each dental visit so they can track their growth over time.

Learn about sedation

Our team is skilled in helping children feel relaxed and comfortable, but there are times when extra relaxation is needed or desired. In those instances, we offer nitrous oxide (also known as laughing gas) to help your child relax. Our treatment areas are also equipped with televisions and video players to provide a welcome distraction. 

Bring a favorite toy or item

If your child has a favorite stuffed animal or blanket, it’s perfectly fine for them to bring it along. Sometimes, having a familiar “friend” nearby is all it takes to help a child feel calm and safe.

Be calm and positive

Adults can have dental anxiety, too. If that’s you, be careful not to communicate your nervousness to your child in any way. Avoid talking about needles and drills, and don’t relate any negative experiences you may have had. Instead, let them know you’re proud of them and that you’ll be with them to support them. 

Oral care needs attuned to your child

Having a dental team with experience in caring for special needs kids is one of the most important steps you can take to help your child get important care that suits their needs. To learn more about our team or to schedule a visit for your child, request an appointment online or over the phone at our Yorktown Heights, New York, office today.