NOTE TO PARENTS

I invite you to partner me in developing a positive and proactive attitude towards dental health in your child. Children who have pleasant dental appointments when they are very young are likely to have a favourable outlook towards dental care throughout life. The initial appointments are very important in their attitude formation.

You may recall your childhood dental visits with anxiety or perhaps fear. Many people continue to dread dental visits as adults and avoid them as far as possible, to their own detriment. Fortunately, dental medicine has progressed extensively over the years. Our children can now benefit from new knowledge, techniques, tools and materials. These enable us to provide safe, pleasant and effective treatment in a reassuring environment, with minimal pain and discomfort.

As a parent you can be instrumental in encouraging a positive attitude in your child towards dental care. I can understand your apprehension in the initial visits, but please do not let your child see your anxiety. Your child will sense that you are worried and will presume that there is a reason for fear.

A useful contribution you can make is to prepare your child for his/her first visit to the dentist. Let it not come as a surprise. Try and prepare your child to expect a new experience that will excite him/her. This approach enables children to view their dental visit as an opportunity to meet some new people who want to help them stay healthy. Explain to your child in an easy going manner, that the dentist will have a look at his/her teeth, count them, teach your child how to keep them clean and perhaps even take some photographs of their teeth. Thus prepared for what to expect, for most children this will be an interesting and even happy occasion.

Your co-operation will go a long way in your child enjoying a pleasant and successful dental experience.
Sincerely,
Dr. Navleen GujralBedi.