2. Inform us ahead of time about any particular need your child might have: apprehension about the visit, medical problems, or personal likes or dislikes. This gives us the opportunity to plan the appointment to be as pleasant as possible.
 

3. Don't communicate your fears to your child. Some parents might say: "Johnny, don't worry about the filling; it probably won't hurt at all. Be a brave boy for Mommy and I'll give you a treat when you're finished." This type of statement will make the child feel that the dental experience might be a bad one. The bribe of offering a treat after the visit also makes the child wary of the procedure.

 

A better statement would be: "Johnny, we're going to the dentist's office today for your filling. The dentist will take care of your tooth and make it healthy again." This matter-of-fact statement avoids the use of words such as hurt, bravery, pain, shots, needles, drilling. You can tell a child that you'll give him a treat afterward, but don't make it contingent on good behavior during the appointment.
 

4. Please follow our recommendations about whether you can accompany your child into the treatment room. If you have extreme fear of dentistry, you definately should remain in the reception area. Signs of your fear (sweating, tense muscles, strained voice) may be perceived by your child and may affect his or her behavior. You may also put yourself through unnecessary anxiety by staying with your child