5 Tips for Helping Your Child With Autism Feel Comfortable at the Dentist

As a parent, the last thing you want to do is place your child in an environment that makes them feel unsafe, uncomfortable, or overwhelmed. Unfortunately, these are some of the unpleasant emotions children experience at their dentist’s office. After all, having a stranger poke around their mouth with sharp tools can be quite anxiety-inducing! Fortunately, there are some best practices you can use to make the experience as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. Here are some tips to help your child with autism feel comfortable at the dentist.

#1. Find a Pediatric Dentist Who Is Familiar with Special Needs Dentistry

In short, not all pediatric dentists have experience providing treatment for children with special needs. Therefore, it’s important to find one that does! Fortunately, this information is often readily available on their website. Of course, you can always give the practice you’re looking into a call as well. This is a great opportunity to learn about the team’s experience and share any accommodations your child needs.

#2. Use Books and Videos to Introduce the Idea of “Going to the Dentist”

Naturally, the concept of “going to the dentist” can be difficult to understand, especially if this is your child’s first visit. So, try introducing the idea through fun/educational books and videos. Seeing their favorite character getting a dental checkup and cleaning will familiarize your child with what to expect and make their experience less scary.

#3. Act Out the Visit Beforehand

Before their appointment, consider getting some toy dental tools and setting up a mock dental office. You can show your child each of the tools and help do dental checkups on their stuffed animals and toys. Once they are comfortable, have them practice sitting in a reclined chair, opening their mouth, and saying “ahhh.” This will help them feel less overwhelmed in the treatment chair.

#4. Ask Questions Before Their Appointment

Before your child’s dental appointment, it’s natural to have a few questions on your mind. Will there be other kids in the waiting room? Do you need to fill out paperwork beforehand? Are you allowed to be in the room with your child and the dentist? Answers to questions like these will help make the appointment go much more smoothly by allowing you to prepare.

#5. Bring Along Items That Provide Comfort

Does your child have a special toothpaste they tolerate? Do they have a blanket that provides them comfort? How about a favorite T.V. show that keeps them engaged? Having comfort-based items like these on hand will help keep your child calm throughout their appointment, making the experience much more stress-free for everyone.

You know how important your child’s teeth are, which is why you want them to have an enjoyable experience at their dentist’s office. Fortunately, the above tips can help make that happen!

About the Practice

At New England Kids, we are proud to have not one, not two, but three phenomenal dentists. With decades of experience serving children with physical, behavioral, and developmental disabilities, they are able to provide children with all different dental needs with the gentle, enjoyable dentistry they deserve. Plus, we provide everything from routine preventive care to essential restorative care at our conveniently located office, ensuring your child sees the same familiar team time and time again. If you’d like to learn more about special needs dentistry or want to schedule an appointment, visit our website or give us a call at 508-832-6278.