I don't know, but some speculation: The dentist may be willing to provide a mild sedative. I don't know how they regulate this. I've always wondered how they calmed kids down during the procedures. I suspect nitrous oxide, but don't know, they always "shooed" me back to the waiting room. If you don't want a lot of screaming and hollering, you'd better offer me a whiff when working on me. The use of NO after hours for recreational purposes is a "professional secret" which I only have second hand knowledge of, but suspect like all other temptations, attract a few. Did I say: "I don't know........."?

Start by taking them with you to your appointments (with a helper, of course). Let them hold the mirror and use the suctioning device (aka Mr. Slurpie) to assist the hygienist. Next, at the end of your visit, let them ride up and down on the chair and let the hygienist take a peek in their mouths, with NO utensils. They should be rewarded for cooperating at each visit, even if it's just a toothbrush and trinket. After several visits, introduce a quick mini-scaling. Once they are comfortable, they will endure the whole process without tears. Switch to a pediatric dentist if yours is not willing to work with you.

I really liked what was said about reading books. Also, try practicing at home. Sit in a chair and have your child lean back onto your lap from the couch. Have them open their mouth and brush their teeth with their head in your lap. Also, try counting their teeth and saying it all aloud and giving them a stuffed animal to hang on to. Let the dentist know how you have practiced at home and see if he can perform his cleaning and inspection like this. I have found they are more than willing. Also, be sure to contact pediatric dentists.

My granddaughter is 3 years old, and her Pediatrician said not to worry about seeing a dentist till she is around 5, due to having all her baby teeth. She should see one however if she is having any kind of pain

Whilst I'm not a parent, I've taken kids I work with to the dentist. I'm sorry but, I think it's up to the dentist and staff at the dentist's office to make your child feel okay when they're in there. One thing you might do is teach them about the dentist - there are lots of kids books out there - the dentist should be able to recommend some. Also, plan a fun activity for afterwards so your kids look forward to the good stuff. That said, dentists offices and appointments can be really traumatic and too much trauma can affect kids physically, emotionally and psychologically. Perhaps take a memory trip back to their first visit and what made it so bad for them. And try taking them with you when you get your teeth done (just make sure you're not having teeth pulled or filled). Ask the dentist if you can take the kids in for a 'non appointment' - where they get to sit in the chair, play with the fun stuff etc. Just ease them into it.

hmm buy sum dentist's tools (toys) so the child can be familiarize by it and play at home as a dentist and imitate what does a real dentist do so they will get at ease and comfortable when it gets to real.. (my suggestion..)

Hmm. I think reading about the dentist is a really great idea and maybe playing dentist at home may make it more plausible. You could get a doctor's dress-up kit and show your kids just what the dentist will do. Then let them try it on you. This is a great opportunity for letting play take the anxiety out of it. You could also go the dentist as a dry run and let them see the dentist checking your teeth out. Once they see that it really does not hurt to have a check up they will likely relax and may even look forward to the no doubt copious rewards you can lavish upon them afterwards. Best of luck mama.

I work in a dental office. It's always a good idea to bring the kids in for a little visit... we have a huge fishtank that the kids love to see, a toy room, tv, etc... just let them come in to see the fish & play for a few minutes lets them see that it's ok to come. Then you can introduce a little chair ride (on this visit or the next).. our office will actually book "chair rides".. let them go up, down, back, etc... also a chance to meet the dental professionals they'll be seeing. If they're agreeable, maybe their teeth can be counted. Doing a little at a time is the trick, and not doing all at once, over whelming them. Of course, if they're not afraid, you can do as much as the child will let you. The first visits with us is just to count teeth, provide a little polish and if needed, some x-rays. These are very important becuase with primary teeth, decay will start in between the teeth where you cannot see it with just the naked eye. It is important to catch the decay early and not let it go deeper - primary teeth are succeptible to having decay spread quickly. Which will only lead to a pulpotomy or a tooth extraction. A big thing to remember is to NOT use words like PAIN, HURT, NEEDLE, DRILL... in ANY sentence. Often times, we like the parents to stay in the waiting room, just for the simple fact that if the parents aren't there, they are more willing to be co-operative. There is usually always 2 people in the room. If your child is seeing a male dentist, chances are he has an assistant with him, so no need to worry about him doing anything wrong to your child. Good luck, and I hope this helps.

My daughter sees a pediatric dentist. They are much more equipped to handle a frightened child. It sounds to me that your dentist just wasn't good with kids.

my parents told me it was the toothfairy that helped until i started loosing teeth.

I think that perhaps you should consider another dentist who is better equipped to deal with the fears of small children. Sometimes a bad experience with a dentist at a young age can affect (instill) fear that may carry over into adulthood.

Take them to the dentist office a few times, with no intention of going to see the dentist himself. FInd one that specializes in kids. They are great offices. they let the kids come on before their real appointment to meet everyone and get familiarize with it.