Preparing for big day

It's very important that your child's first visit to the dentist be a positive one. You play a big part in setting the tone. The best predictor of a child's behavior in the dental setting is the parent's level of anxiety. In most cases, if the parent is anxious, the child is going to experience some difficulty.

Here are a few tips to help your dental visit go smoothly:

Tell your child about the visit, but don't go into details. Answer any questions in a simple, matter-of-fact way. Let the dentist answer questions about dental tools, procedures or anything you're unsure about. Most dentists, especially pediatric dentists, are trained to explain things to children in non-threatening, easy-to-understand terms.

• Don't tell your child that something may hurt or be painful.
• Don't tell your child about an unpleasant dental experience you have had.
• Don't promise your child a reward for going to the dentist.
• Stress to your child how important it is to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Explain that the dentist's job is to help you and your child do this.
• Don't make promises that the dentist can't keep. Explain to your child that the dentist will "tell us." Remember, young children are often fearful. Some are afraid of being separated from their parents; others are afraid of the unknown; still others are afraid of being injured. All of this is perfectly normal. A dentist who treats children should have many methods for helping anxious or fearful children learn to understand and cope with the dental setting.