Let’s be honest, no one likes the dentist. For most people the dentist is one of those appointments that you continue to put off. Between the scraping and the drilling sound, it can send chill down your spine. While the dentist never bothered me per se, that wasn’t the case for my four kids.
We started our dentistry journey at a pediatric dentist with the older two kids. I tried to make each visit as positive as possible, but it quickly devolved into a power struggle. There was negotiating, flailing, fighting, and crying from one kid, which then terrified the second one. Leaving me completely frozen with fear of even being a bystander at the dentist. I felt like I needed some Xanax to take these two to the dentist. It was miserable for everyone.
I decided that for their next visit I needed a clean slate. The pediatric dentist no longer took our insurance, so it was a natural reason to not return. We left all the negative associations we had developed behind us.
I decided that this time I would do things differently. I scheduled ALL FOUR kids for this new dentist. One. Day. At. A. Time.
Gardner about to get x-rays.
That’s right. I took each kid separately to their own appointment. I spent the entire week driving each one back and forth to the dentist and it was worth it! They all did great! The teeth cleaning? Great. The x-rays? Fantastic! The fluoride (which had previously been an issue)? Stupendous!
When scheduling future appointments, the hygienist asked, “Are you sure you don’t want to bring them together next time? They did so well.”
"Absolutely not! Keep their appointments separate please."
I was able to focus on the kid in the chair without having to consider what other kid in the room they were affecting.
Gardner getting his teeth cleaned.
Not only that, my oldest, Gardner, with autism, needed a cavity filled so we had to come back. This was a first for me as a parent, plus the special needs aspect. I had no idea how this was going to go, but this new family dentist had all the right plans and all the right words. The dentist decided not to use analgesic gel because of the taste and smell that might set off a sensory meltdown for Gardner. They used language like, “this is something that needs to give your tooth a hug.” What a perfect description for the metal band they needed to use. He did great!
All the kids did great! If they were nervous they had me there to help them and the great staff that were so kind and communicative to them.
If you can swing it for those most anxiety inducing appointments, schedule them separately for multiple kids. Your nerves will thank you later. I can now go to the dentist without my own fears and it was time well spent.