To most children visit to the dentist is a scary thing. To most people especially the children the odours in dental clinic, the sounds of the drill, and the big man with the white mask are all the unpleasant things they wish to avoid. Hence it is important to prepare your child to overcome any anxiety before his visit to the dentist. Below are some suggestions that can help your child enjoy his visit to dentist without fear.

1. Talk to your child about his dental visit and explain to him what will happen. You can start by telling your child that the dentist is kind and friendly doctor who will “count” and “take pictures” of his tiny teeth.
2. You can ask your child to draw a picture of his mouth with his teeth to show it to his dentist. Encourage your child to talk about his drawing of his teeth before the visit.
3. Please look for books about dentist and dental clinic. These children book on dentistry usually contain pictures to help the children to understand who the dentist is and hoe the dental clinic looks like.
4. Never use dental visit as a punishment to your child mischief. This will make his visit later a nightmare experience.
5. Try to avoid using the words like shots, drill or needles that the dentist will use to fix the bad teeth.
6. Try to talk to your dentist any fear your child may has before the visit.

Choosing a child friendly dentist
There are dentists specialized in treating children. They are the dentists specialize in the taking care of children’s and teenagers’ teeth. They usually have special skills to make children feel at ease and their offices are specially designed for children. You may wish to do some survey to pick the right dentist for your child.
a. Does the dentist have special experience with children?
b. Are the dental clinic children friendly? Such as: does it have drawings of children likings on the wall, colourful books for children in the waiting room, children toys and smaller furniture?
c. Is the dentist dress friendly like wearing a mask with children’s illustration?
d. Some dentists provide audio headphones while the child is being examined.
e. Some dentist provides special children programs like tooth care club that can make the child visit to the clinic more fun.
You will make your child at ease to visit your dentist in London if you are able to find a dentist that fulfils some of the criteria listed above.