Visiting the Dentist with a Child with Special Needs

Many children, especially children with special needs, are afraid of going to the dentist because the office is an anxiety-provoking setting. To help your child with special needs cope with the fear of visiting the dentist for the first time, follow this expert advice for a stress-free visit to the dentist.

Dentists “work in an anxiety-provoking setting,”observes Jennifer Epstein, D.M.D., of Kids First Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics in Fairfield, CT, so it’s no wonder many children are afraid of going to the dentist for the first time. To help your child with special needs cope with his or her first visit, communicate proactively with your child’s dentist about your child’s sensitivities to sounds, smells, or visuals, and if you fear he may not be able to stay in the room. 

Knowing what will happen during the dental visit will make your child more comfortable, so modeling is an often-recommended technique. Some dentists employ “tell, show, do,” in which they tell the child what will happen next, show the child on Mom or Dad, and then do it to the child. StarSmilez, which offers a collection of kid-friendly dental teaching aids used in more than 100 countries, has just the tool for modeling: StarSmilez Puppets, which include an alligator, monkey, dog, dragon, and dinosaur, allow dentists to show the child what will happen throughout an appointment, as well as demonstrate proper brushing and flossing habits. Each puppet comes with games, brushing charts, and how-to guides, as well as an oversized demonstration toothbrush and a water-squirting mechanism.