Dentist Visits
Ease your child's worries about visiting the dentist.
Describing what will happen at the dentist can help visits go smoothly. Prepare by explaining the important job dentists do: they check teeth to make sure they are healthy. You can mention what kids might experience:
- Sitting in a big chair
- Having their teeth counted
- Having pictures (x-rays) taken of their teeth
- Having gooey fluoride put on their teeth
- Getting their teeth “tickled” by a special kind of toothbrush
Try acting out each step of the visit. Then ask kids to pretend to be the dentist and practice each step on you or on a stuffed animal (just pretend it has teeth!). As you pretend together, encourage kids to ask questions and share any worries.
Connecting & Communicating
Communication and connection with families is key to building a strong, effective healthy team.
Visiting the Doctor: Helping Kids Grow Up Strong & Healthy
Preparation and communication help you get the best care for your child at every medical visit.
Communicating at Doctor’s Visits
Good communication leads to good care for your child.
Elmo and Abby’s Check-up Play Date
Pretend play can help children “rehearse” situations that may frighten them.
Rosita’s Favorite
Regular check-ups can be a fun and informative experience for the whole healthy team, kids included!
My Whole Healthy Life: Meet Reignen
A video about the different ways a Native American child and his family stay healthy.
My Whole Healthy Life: Meet Wa.Sta.Tse
A video about the different ways a Native American child and her family stay healthy.
