Dental anxiety is a quite common issue among both children and adults. This prevents numerous people from seeking the necessary dental care. Family dentistry focuses on fostering a positive relationship and comfort to help with anxiety and other issues. This also helps kids to acclimatize to the dental environment at early ages and build a strong foundation of oral health.
Family dentistry is a family-focused branch of dentistry covering a wide range of age groups and implementing preventive measures at young ages.
Creates a Healthy and Familiar Environment
Family dentists begin dental treatments from the infancy of a child to adulthood. Visiting the same dentist since childhood and undergoing multiple treatments over the years removes the element of surprise and helps relieve all the fears one might have.
The journey of growth builds a relationship and trust, which creates a positive environment for the individual and they can comfortably undergo the treatment procedure.
Apart from that, warm and kid-friendly interiors also help alleviate any stress or panic that is induced by dental equipment or the sounds of machinery.
Building Trust through Communication
One of the best ways to calm an anxious individual is by communicating. The Dentist in New Prague MN communicates with the kids and the family members as well to address the challenges.
Especially kids are reluctant to undergo any treatment, family dentists use various techniques to make the treatment comfortable, such as the tell-show-do approach. The dentist takes time with the kids, explains the procedure in a non-threatening way, shows them the equipment, and then proceeds with the treatment.
Set an Example for Kids
Family dentists are not restricted to a certain age group and can provide treatment to the entire family. Since kids follow in the footsteps of their parents, it helps when they see the elders getting the treatment. It sets an example for the kids and eases the fear that they may have while visiting a dentist. They can trust the dentist easily and be more open to them, extending compliance.
Moreover, family dentists also use counseling and behavior management techniques to counter negative emotions and exclude phobia in the initial stages
Sedation Dentistry for Kids
Highly anxious patients or special kids are difficult to manage despite the counseling. In these cases, the communication might not work effectively. To ensure a pain-free procedure, the dentist uses sedation techniques to calm the nerves and carry on the treatment without any hindrance. These techniques include administration of nitrous oxide, oral sedation, or IV sedation.
Parental Education and Support
Family dentists motivate and assist patients in fostering a positive outlook in their kids. Parents play a very important role in the elimination of fear. Before visiting the dentist, parents must talk to the child and prepare the kids for the visit. Dentists also recommend the presence of the parents during the treatment to build a sense of security.
Consistent Care
Meeting the same dentist on every visit is quite comforting for the kid. A familiar face does not trigger any anxious thoughts. Over time, kids get comfortable with the dentist and the environment at the dental office, which reduces anxiety. Kids cooperate in the procedures as time passes. This long-term relationship also helps the dentist to recognize individual fears and tailor the approach according to the kid.
Distraction Techniques
Other techniques that can be employed for anxiety which are not restricted to family dentists are the presence of toys, cartoons, or movies during the treatment procedure. This helps distract the child from the ongoing scenario and finishes the treatment with success. Music or headphones are also a great option to reduce fear.
Conclusion
Family dentistry covers wide areas of issues apart from treatment. It involves educating, guiding, and reinforcing positive practices in the patients to maintain good oral health throughout their lifetime.
Dental On First provides a very gentle and kid-friendly environment to reduce anxiety. The dentist in New Prague, MN helps in overcoming the fears using a compassionate approach to make dental visits a positive experience for all.