How to Help Your Child Feel Safe During Hospital Dental Procedures

Take a breath—you’ve got this.

The reasons why a child might need a hospital dental procedure vary greatly. Perhaps they need a more in-depth procedure, or maybe they have multiple procedures that need to be done. For some children, they might have special needs that mean it is safer for them to have their dental work done under sedation. For others, their anxieties take over and they need that extra help to make it through. No matter the reason, hospital dentistry might just be more common than you realize.

Did you recently learn that your child is going to need a hospital dental procedure? If so, you are likely dealing with a whirlwind of emotions. Hospital dental procedures can feel intimidating for both kids and parents, and that can make it difficult to talk to your children about it. With a little preparation and reassurance, the experience can be much easier than you think!

First things first, it’s important to realize that your nerves are completely normal and expected. Anything related to the hospital can sound scary, especially when it has to do with your child. What might seem like a simple procedure to us in the dental world might feel like a huge ordeal for the patient, especially when they’re little. Before you talk to your children about their upcoming procedure, take a few deep breaths yourself. Remember, this is hospital dentistry. We’re fully prepared to help you every step of the way, and it’s going to be all right. But we’ll talk more about that in a moment.

Ready? Let’s learn how to help your child have the best experience possible, all while avoiding those fears.

Talk about the visit in simple terms.

When you’re talking to your child about their upcoming appointment, the first step is to stay calm. You likely have your own anxieties swirling around in your brain, which is normal! Take a few deep breaths, and do your best to use calm, age-appropriate language. The words you use matter! Avoid scary words such as needle or shot. And, for some children, you might want to monitor what details you disclose. For certain children, too many details can increase their anxiety.

It’s important to remember that you aren’t alone in this. If you need any help learning how to tell your child about their specific procedure, you can always contact We Make Kids Smile to help you out.

Focus on comfort and safety.

When you’re talking about your child’s upcoming appointment with hospital dentistry, try to focus on the comfort and safety of it all. Explain to your child that both the dental and hospital teams will be there to help keep them comfortable and healthy. Because of this, they won’t have any pain from their procedure! If your child is still nervous with this, reassure them that their parents (you!) will be nearby throughout the entire process.

Bring comfort items from home.

What about the day of the procedure? If your child has a favorite comfort toy, that can help them out a lot! Don’t be afraid to bring their favorite stuffy, blanket, or even headphones with them to the appointment. Whatever makes them feel brave and a little more comfortable will make all the difference.

Stay calm yourself.

We mentioned it before, but it’s imperative that you are able to stay calm. Your child is constantly watching you and will be able to pick up on your nerves and emotions. With dental anxiety being so prevalent among adults, there’s a chance that you have plenty of nerves fighting for space in your brain. Take those deep breaths, and do what you can to keep a calm, positive attitude to help your child feel safe when it comes to their procedure.

Follow pre-procedure instructions carefully.

Before your child’s procedure, you will be given instructions specifically for them. These are very important to follow! Being prepared will help the day go more smoothly. If you do not follow them as directed, your child’s appointment will likely need to be rescheduled.

What do these instructions include? They will contain the eating, drinking, and medication guidelines before the appointment. Mainly, when your child can’t drink anymore and what medications they should take before the procedure. Remember, you can always ask the team at We Make Kids Smile any questions you might have! With the right support, hospital dentistry can be a positive and stress-free experience.

You’re not alone.

Hearing that your child needs a procedure through hospital dentistry can be a little nerve wracking. It’s important to take the time to work on your own anxieties before you start the conversation with your child. How you talk to them can make the entire procedure stress-free! Remember, you’re not alone in this. Feel free to contact the team at We Make Kids Smile with any questions you might have.