How to prepare your child for their first dentist visit
A first dentist visit is a milestone for many families but it can also bring some complicated feelings - for parents and kids alike. It's not usually the actual dentist that kids are worried about. It's the unknown. Then, without any preparation, it can become the chair that moves on its own. The bright light right above their face. A grown-up they've never met, in a mask, asking them to open their mouths.
It's a lot of new, all at once.
When I surveyed 100 parents about getting kids ready for big moments, most of them were already doing it. But two in three also worried that talking about it too much might make things worse.
Disclaimer: I'm not a dentist. I'm a parent who created the Little Ready Dentist Kit because families told me they wanted a better way to prepare and I wanted to create the resources that I would have appreciated and needed. While creating this kit, I've spoken with a lot of dentists, including Specialist Paediatric Dentist Dr Nandika Manchanda and US-based dentist Dr Himali Patel-Bhatt (who also wrote a neat kids book: Where do the sugar bugs hide?), about what really helps kids feel ready. Here's what kept coming up with all the dentists I've had the pleasure of chatting with.
1. Little chats, not a big talk
Skip the sit-down conversation the night before. Drop it in casually over a few days instead. "You're seeing the dentist on Friday, they're going to count your teeth." Then let your child steer. If they have questions, answer them. If they don't, that's fine too. Keep normalising it in a really natural way - talk about it in the same matter-of-fact way as you might about popping to the shops to get bread.
2. Paint a picture of the room
Kids feel safer when they know what to expect. Let them know the dentist might wear gloves and a mask, that there's a special chair that moves up and down, and a light so the dentist can see really well. Familiar things are much less scary than surprises.
3. Let them play it through
Kids make sense of new experiences through play. Acting out a visit before it happens is one of the best ways to help it feel familiar. It works best with a simple story to follow and a character they can move through each step, so they're not just hearing about it, they're doing it.
4. Mind your words (and your face)
Our kids read us like a book. Keep your tone light and matter-of-fact, and try to avoid words like "hurt" or "scary", even when you're reassuring them. "The dentist is going to check your teeth are nice and strong" lands much better than "Don't worry, it won't hurt."
5. Leave room for whatever comes up after
Your child might come out proud, relieved, chatty or a bit wobbly. All of it is okay. Instead of "Were you scared?", try "What was the funniest thing you saw?" You'll often get a much better conversation.
Want to make it simple?
This is exactly why I created the Little Ready Dentist Kit. It gives you the story, the character and a little bit of comfort, all in one box:
- A preparation story that walks your child through the visit step by step, with parent cards to accompany the kit and tips from Dr Nandika Manchanda and Dr Himali Patel-Bhatt
- A hand-designed dentist story companion so your child can act it all out before the day
- A Ready Buddy to squeeze when things feel new
It's for little ones who like to know what's coming, and the grown-ups helping them get there.
Pre-orders are open now for our very first run. There are only 100 kits, with free shipping within Australia and an estimated ship date of 10 December. Just in time for summer check-ups.
Pre-orders currently ship within Australia only.
Lydia Lobb is a mum and the founder of Little Ready, a Prep + Play brand helping kids get ready for life's new and big moments. Little Ready's kits are developed with input from paediatric dentists, occupational therapists and play therapists.
This post shares general tips from one parent to another. It isn't medical advice. If your child has specific dental needs or significant anxiety, have a chat with your dentist or GP.