What to Expect From Your Child’s Visit to the Kids Dentist

A child’s visit to the kids dentist does not have to be a point of contention. Many children grow to look forward to their dental appointments if they go to pediatric dentists who focus on kids because their offices are often entirely different from those that more broadly treat adults.

Since children need to go to the dentist regularly to set them up for a lifetime of oral health success, it is crucial to choose a kids dentist whom they trust and like. Here are a few things to expect.

How the kids dentist works

A kids dentist, also known as a pediatric dentist, is a dental professional who is specially trained and skilled at treating children. While they may also see adult patients or entire families in their office, most kids dentists will make certain changes to their practice to accommodate a younger audience.

An office made for children

A kids dentist's office often looks quite different from what adult patients may expect. The clinic may be filled with toys, colorful walls, fun patterns and designs, and TVs tuned to cartoons. All these decisions are strategic — it is meant to help kids feel at home and comfortable in the dentist’s office. By improving their young patients' impression of the practice and giving them options to calm their nerves before the appointment, the kids dentist increases the likelihood that their patients will have a good experience and learn to incorporate dental care into their routine as they grow.

A different bedside manner

A pediatric dentist, by nature, sees children regularly for appointments of all types. This means a good pediatric dentist will have cultivated a bedside (or rather, chairside) manner that is accessible and fun for children. They may be skilled at explaining a procedure in terms that kids understand (without being condescending), or they might be good at making children laugh and keeping them relaxed throughout the appointment.

Smaller, more accessible tools

Since a child’s mouth is smaller than an adult’s, many dental tools can be cumbersome and intimidating for kids. Pediatric dentists often have tools with slightly smaller heads or surfaces to accommodate the smaller area within a child’s mouth.

This is more comfortable and helps kids feel less frightened by the size of certain tools, such as drills and scalers. As an added benefit, the dentist can see better in the limited space of a child’s mouth when using appropriately sized equipment.

Incentives and support systems

Many dental offices that regularly see kids will incorporate fun activities and incentives to encourage them to get excited about their oral healthcare. They may give out stickers as a reward for a good exam with no cavities and allow children to choose prizes when they receive enough stickers, such as small toys. Some practices have coupons for free pizza or ice cream. Others let children pick toothbrushes with their favorite cartoon characters to take home.