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A child going to the dentist for the first time is often a
handful of anxieties. Any dentist using the right techniques
can transform the most terrified child into a cooperative patient
who is no longer afraid - a child who will leave the office with a
smile on his face.
The first thing a dentist must do is convince the child of his honesty. Children are smart. They are not easily fooled. If
a youngster is promised that a particular thing will be done, the
dentist had better be sure he does it.
Usually, the dentist begins with something easy. He says, "Today I am going to count your teeth. " And, after that, come
what may, he must count the teeth, using whatever means necessary.
Remember this: The child often cries before anything is done to him
(even a first haircut). He is not hurt, and the dentist has to prove
that he can be trusted to do exactly what he says he is going to do -no more, no less. The noise and hysterics generally disappear
after the first visit. If the dentist establishes his reliability and
that he is trustworthy, there will rarely be any more trouble. |
