Most people over the age of 30 vividly remember one or more visits to the Dentist. Whether their first encounter – or a subsequent treatment – the sights, sounds, smells and tastes linger in their memories for days, weeks, months, years, or even a lifetime! Sadly, this colors their feelings about any Dental appointment from that point forward…and can even impact how they approach oral healthcare for their children and families.

Time and again, sometimes the biggest hurdle Dental professionals must face is the preconceived attitudes their patients bring with them into the operatory. And this becomes particularly challenging when parents overlay THEIR earlier experience prejudices onto their child’s visit. These usually take the form of one or more of the following scenarios:

“DENTIST AS PUNISHMENT”: “You were warned! I told you that if you didn’t stop eating candy/start brushing regularly, you would have to go to the Dentist and get your teeth DRILLED! That’s right, they take a big ol’ drill like your Daddy has, and put it right into your mouth…and I PROMISE YOU, IT’S GONNA HURT!” C’mon, who wouldn’t want THIS walking into your office for care?!? Doesn’t every oral health professional want to be portrayed as the latest incarnation of The Inquisition?!?

“PRE-APPOINTMENT APOLOGY”: “Baby…I am SOOOOOO sorry! Mama HATES having to do this to you! (Insert sobs and tears, here.) This hurts me more than you know, and I PROMISE to make this up to you!!! PLEASE forgive me, baby!!!” This parent does not feel as if they have succeeded unless they are BOTH in tears and borderline-hysterical before even entering the operatory! Sounds like a perfect environment for administering compassionate care…RIGHT?!?

“ANTICIPATION OVERSHARE”: “It’s okay to be nervous or even scared. Even I get scared whenever I have to go to the Dentist. It won’t be THAT bad! And even though it may hurt, just remember it’s worth it…you’ll EVENTUALLY feel better!” Again, you gotta love it when those seeds of such dismal expectations are planted, before the Dentist even has a chance to say “Hello!” GREAT!

Obviously, each of these situations present themselves in vary “degrees” of intensity. However, it can just as easily be something as simple as facial expressions, body language or tone of voice, to telegraph specific feelings. We need to remember that children are EXTREMELY intuitive! And sadly, each scenario is also NOT without a degree of accuracy.

Barely a dozen years ago, the idea of a true lifetime of preventative oral care – starting well before a child’s first birthday – had not yet become widespread knowledge and practice. So, these experience-based phobias can even extend into those in their teens and twenties. And the cycle of Dental trepidation continues…mostly justifiably. In the not-so-distant past, children (and TOO many teens and adults) did not go to the Dentist unless something was “wrong” or physically hurt. Not the way to make a good first impression!

Fortunately, we DO have a new generation of children growing up WITHOUT this overlay of their caregivers’ memories. A six-month-old baby just feels the security of being cradled by a parent, the soothing tones and smiling face of a Dentist experienced in dealing with the youngest of patients, and it simply establishes an initial pleasant and positive experience for both parent and child. AND, as an added bonus, it actively involves the child’s primary caregiver as an educated and engaged partner in putting their bundle of joy on a lifetime path of good oral health!

Now, imagine that EVERY visit is equally “uneventful.” With an early routine of scheduled oral health care and knowledge, those regular visits don’t occur just because something has “gone wrong.” They’re specifically designed to MAINTAIN good Dental health and catch potential issues BEFORE they require major – and possibly “less-pleasant” – treatment intervention!

And THIS is why National Children’s Dental Health Month shines a spotlight on the importance of early and regular visits. Per the American Dental Association (ADA), sponsors of the annual observance:

“This month-long national health observance brings together thousands of dedicated professionals, healthcare providers, and educators to promote the benefits of good oral health to children, their caregivers, teachers and many others.”

By forming a community partnership focused on children’s oral health, we can avoid this cycle of Dental phobias and less-than-positive attitudes…and set the next generation on a lifetime path of pleasant, “unmemorable” visits to their friendly, helpful, compassionate family Dentist!

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