Children’s Dentistry

At West End Dental, we want to ensure all our patients get the help and care they need. This includes all the little
people that join our clinic.

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Our experienced team is dedicated to making sure children have a fun and relaxed experience. We take pride in being
patient and understanding, recognising that a visit to the dentist can be a new experience in a new setting for many kids.

We recommend starting dental visits at around 2 years old. This allows us to familiarise your child with the dental
environment, introduce them to the various sounds, and help them adjust to regular visits as they grow older.

Here are some tips and tricks on what you can do as a parent/ guardian to ensure smooth sailing during our visits:

1. Talk to Them About the Dentist in a Positive Way – Avoid terms like “pain,” “needle,” or “hurt.” Instead, talk
about how the dentist helps keep their teeth healthy.

2. Explain the Visit in Simple Terms: Depending on their age, explain what will happen during the
appointment. For example, “The dentist will count your teeth, and maybe clean them so they sparkle!”
Keep the explanation light and fun. Some children are scared of the noises or sensations at the dentist.
Let them know in advance that there might be buzzing sounds or vibrations, but it won’t hurt.

3. Bring a Favorite Toy or Comfort Item: Having a favourite stuffed animal, blanket, or toy can provide
comfort and security for your child. You can even bring along a fun item to distract them during the visit.

4. Stay Calm Yourself, Offer Reassurance and Avoid Showing Fear: Hold their hand and provide reassurance. Let them know that the dentist is there to help and that you’ll be with them throughout the
visit

5. Offer Positive Reinforcement: After the visit, give lots of positive praise. Whether it’s a simple “You did
such a great job!” or offering a small reward, this reinforces that going to the dentist is a good thing.

6. Understand Their Comfort Zone: Every child is different. Some may feel more comfortable with certain
parts of the process than others. Respect their feelings and work with the dental team to make the
experience as comfortable as possible.