1. What Dentists Do to Make Kids More Comfortable During
their Visits
Gone are the days when going to the dentist was something all children feared. Children
used to dread the silent waiting rooms, the masked dentist poking around in their mouths with
sharp instruments, and the possibility of pain. These days, dentists have lots of tricks up their
sleeves to make office visits comfortable, and even enjoyable, for the youngest of patients. In
fact, their tactics may just have your child excited for their next dental check-up! Here are four
ways that dentists can make children more comfortable during their appointments.
1. Waiting Room Strategy

2. The first place a dentist employs his comfort tactics is in the waiting room. Walk into
your local dentist’s office and you might see video games set up, puzzles waiting to be put
together, blocks for building towers, and movies running with child-sized seating for the young
audience. What young child wouldn’t smile with delight when they hear that they get to visit
such a fun place?
2. Dentist Theater
When your child is taken back to have their teeth examined and worked on, most dentists
these days offer a selection of movies for your child to watch during the appointment. Often,
there will be a television screen in the ceiling above each dentist chair so that every child can
enjoy their own personal show. They will be given a headset so that they can hear the film. This
nice little distraction makes it easier for dentists to get their work done and can go a long way
toward helping kids feel calm and comfortable.
3. Relaxation Options
If you are worried that your child might experience high levels of anxiety during dental
treatments you might consider finding a dentist that offers nitrous oxide (otherwise known as
laughing gas) or sedation. If your child is just worried and the dentist thinks the child’s concerns
could make it hard to perform the necessary procedures, a little laughing gas might help them
relax a bit. When you’re facing more serious anxiety, you might want to discuss sedation with
your dentist and see if that is an option. With sedation, your child won’t even know what
happened during their time with the dentist. Although you might choose not to use either of
these, it’s always nice to have options should you change your mind.

3. 4. Positive Reinforcement
A dentist that caters to children will provide a staff full of technicians and hygienists that
understand how to work with children. This means that they will offer lots of encouragement,
from affirmative words to high fives. Most dentists also offer a reward at the end of the
appointment. These can range from a sticker to a pencil to a small toy, depending on the dentist.
Between waiting rooms stocked with toys and games, movies playing during treatments,
relaxation offerings, and treats at the end of the visit, going to the dentist can actually be a fun
time. These days, dentists are well-versed in the art of making children feel happy and
comfortable.