1. The Life of a Pediatric
Dental Hygienist
Jacey Mitchell, RDH, MS
2. Cara
2-YearsOld
First dental visit
Her mother, Anne is with her.
WhileAnne is completing the medical history in the waiting room, you
notice that Cara is playing happily by herself with her doll but not
interacting with the other children.
What type of play is Cara demonstrating?
When you call Cara to come back to your operatory, she begins to cry
and cling to her mother’s leg.
Is this normal behavior? Discuss the pros and cons of allowing
parents in the treatment room.
You bring Cara and her mother back to your chair. Immediately, she
starts crying.
What patient management technique(s) can you use?
Give specific examples of how you would explain what you will do
to Cara
What should you ask the mother to do?
3. First dental visit
Mom and Dad both present with a camera to document the event
Parents are very involved in the process and want to explain
everything, though not well or accurately, before you have a
chance to truly connect with the child
How can you get past the parents’ behavior, while still
partnering with them?
Liam
3-Years Old
4. Lacy & Macy
4-years old
Twins present for 2nd visit to the dentist (6 month recall)
You see in the chart progress notes that the first visit didn’t go too
well for the previous hygienist.
“These girls were very uncooperative and kept grabbing my hand to
make me stop.They refused to open their mouths and kept turning
away from the light. Unable to complete any procedure.
Recommended to Mom that they wait at least a year before
reappointing.”
What factors may have contributed to their difficult first
experience?
How can you approach then to calm any fears and “start over”,
assuring that they will look forward to the next visit?
5. 5-year olds
• You have been asked to
teach a play group of
five year olds how to
brush and care for their
teeth.
• Create some brushing
rhymes and game
approaches to interest
them and help them
remember the
importance of caring for
their teeth.
6. Damian
5-year old
Arrives for first dental visit
Damian is very cooperative during the exam and cleaning
Upon clinical exam, rampant caries is noted on all of the erupted
posterior teeth.
How are you going to explain the findings to the patients
mother?
What preventative agents are you going to recommend?
Explain the regimen.
When explaining the restorative procedures to the mother, she
is concerned about Damien's behavior. Explain what techniques
will be used to help keep Damian calm during the procedures.
