Helping your younger children prepare for their dentist visit is easier and more fun than you might imagine!
Much of the
fear and upset young children experience on those 1st appointments come
from having no "frame of reference" for the strange environment,
strange people and even stranger actions happening to and around them.
Above is a presentation to help give you some "how to" ideas to make
nightly storytime fun and pleasurable preparation time with your kids.
Don't forget to share this with other loving parents!
Hmm.. that was an interesting presentation. One thing that concerns me, though, is the papoose boards. I've watched online videos from pediatric dentists who say they don't use papoose boards that often at all. Many think it's, in most cases, not a good practice.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting. The papooses board was included because, despite the controversy about when and where(or even if) to use it, it is still in use and the story idea is intended for the broad public -- whichever option they use.
ReplyDeleteThere are some pretty passionate points of view on both sides of the papoose board question.
And since the story guide is an outline, the parents on the opposing point of view to papoose boards can simply not use that segment.
I hope that any parent who is taking their child to a first (or second or third) dentist visit has taken the time to have a conversation with the dentist to find out what their opinions and policies are on issues like these. :-)
Having worked in offices where it was standard practice to use them, and in offices where it was not considered appropriate -- here are some observations:
On the use of the board -- like most care options it depends on the set of circumstances.
In most cases I would recommend that other options be used. However, If a child is unable to respond to other methods and there is a real risk of harm -- then the use can be appropriate.
It is a judgment call to be made based on the merits of each individual case.
It is a judgment call that is preferably made in conference with the parent.
Information from the parent is crucial in making the decision, after all.
Questions on how the child normally responds to being cocooned (by arms, blankets etc). Do they feel safer or panicky in that situation?
Is that parent comfortable with the alternatives being tried or helping sooth the child during the procedure?
How restive or restless (wiggly) is the child normally when sitting the period of time, in their sleep?
Theses are only part of the conversation that should be had with the parent as they participate in the best choice for their child
Other factors to be weighed are
Anesthesia choices and length and difficulty of the procedure to be performed.
Whatever point of view you have on this or any other dental practice, it is a really good idea to schedule a little conference time with their dentist and come to some mutual understanding on the care your child will receive. And, communicate any special quirks or issues your child has.
As professionals, we are trained in best practices in general but you as parents can provide that missing information and insight to proved the best and most personalized care for your kids.