This area within the children’s hospital registers the highest levels of noise, making it deafening every day. It’s a scene that many parents and dentists prefer not to recall.

As dentists, we’re recognized as skilled negotiators with unique abilities. Our dental examinations last a mere 10 minutes, but negotiations can stretch up to an hour. This is the standard in our children’s dentistry. Our role extends beyond just treating teeth; it’s also about alleviating the worries in children’s hearts.

Coaxing Techniques:

1.Allow children to watch cartoons.

2.Employ gentle persuasion.

Using Tool 1 – Small Mirror,sticker as a reward

“Take a look at this small mirror. Let’s examine your teeth together. If it’s uncomfortable, please let me know. If not, you can choose a sticker as a reward.”

Using Tool 2 – Small Toothbrush:

“We’ll use this small toothbrush to clean your teeth and pretend to catch any little bugs. If it’s uncomfortable, we won’t proceed today, alright?”

Using Tool 3 – Saliva Suction Tube:

“Let’s talk about the little ‘bugs’ in your teeth. They’re like tiny creatures eating your teeth from the inside. But don’t worry, we can ‘suck’ them out with this tool. Does it hurt?”

3.Comforting the Child:

“Today, we won’t be pulling any teeth. Let’s start by brushing to calm your fears.

4.Employing Well-Intentioned Deception:

“Look at that big bug! Don’t move. When the bug ‘bites’ you, raise your hand, and I’ll stop immediately. It can’t move if you stay still.”

Frequent dental visits can be scary for children. However, we mustn’t allow them to constantly dwell in fear. While we’ve been providing reassurance for a long time, too much of it can actually increase their fear. Sometimes, a child’s fear of oral treatment stems from cues given by their parents, which we need to address. Oral health is a shared responsibility for parents and children, and prevention is always better than cure.

Parents’ responsibility is to supervise and help their children develop good habits from an early age. We must first identify the source of the child’s fear, empathize with them, stand together with them, and assist them in overcoming their difficulties.”