How to Master a Trip to the Dentist

April 12, 2021 GBC admin

Tips to Prepare Children with Autism for the Dentist

Trips to the dentist induce anxiety for many children, especially those with autism. Even most adults will admit that having someone poking around in their mouth while they try to stay still isn’t fun. Luckily, with a bit of extra planning, communication, and positive association tactics, you can create a more comfortable dental experience for your child.

1. Find the Right Dentist and Communicate with Them Before the Visit

Finding a dentist that has experience working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder or other special needs is a great starting point. If you are already dealing with a dental practice that understands what it takes to provide a safe and comfortable experience for these children, you won’t necessarily need to do as much communication and prep ahead of time.

However, not everyone lives near a dental practice with such experience. Do your best to advocate for your child by communicating with the dentist and staff prior to the first visit. The following tips can help guide you through the process:

Ask the dentist to narrate what they are doing. Having a clear understanding of what is happening will help reduce anxiety and fear for your child.
The dentist should give your child space if they become agitated. Talk to the dentist about what to do if your child starts exhibiting signs of agitation. Ignoring these signs and continuing to work without acknowledging them will only further the issue. Ask the dentist to step back and ask the child if they need a break.
Allow breaks. Even if your child doesn’t appear upset, it is still a good idea to offer occasional breaks. This allows the child to get up and move around to release any pent-up energy they may hold inside due to anxiety.
Ask the dentist to offer choices when possible. Most children appreciate having a sense of independence and autonomy, and children with ASD are no exception. In scary situations like a dental visit, giving the child a choice now and then can help them feel more in control and comfortable with what is happening.
Ask if it’s possible to break the appointment up into multiple visits. If your child needs more than just a quick routine cleaning, it can help to break the visit up to reduce the amount of time your child has to be there. Having their teeth cleaned in one trip and getting x-rays in another, for example.

2. Use Comfort Items

Many children develop an emotional attachment to certain items as a source of comfort. Children with ASD especially find comfort and relief in familiarity. If your child has a favorite toy or item that helps them feel safe, allow them to hold onto it during their dental visit. Listening to music or looking at certain photos can also help by stimulating good memories and provide a sense of calm. Ask your dentist if they can play music during the visit or if it’s ok for your child to bring any items that will help make the experience more enjoyable.

3. Positive Associations

Before their first visit, it is beneficial to help your child develop positive feelings about the dentist. Make sure to talk to them before the visit to give them enough time to process and create positive associations. Try these tips at home to start preparing for your child’s dental visit:

Talk about it and “play dentist” at home. Tell your child about the dentist and consider buying a children’s toy dental kit. Playing with the toy instruments and practicing a pretend exam can help show your child that there is nothing to be scared of.
Create a visual board. Creating a visual for your child to look at is a useful tool to help them familiarize themselves with the dentist ahead of time. Take pictures of the dental office and the dentist if possible and hang them up for your child to see at home. You can also create a schedule or a token board specifically for dental appointments to help them prepare and promote positive behaviors.
Use “if, then” statements. Another way to create positive associations is to inspire positive behavior by using an “if, then” statement reward system. For example: “If you go to the dentist, we’ll get a treat after.”

4. Communicate What to Expect

One of the most important tips you can follow is to clearly communicate with your child what to expect when they visit the dentist. Knowing ahead of time what they might experience can help reduce fear and anxiety of the unknown. The following are some examples of statements to help your child familiarize themselves with the importance of and process of going to the dentist:

It is important to see the dentist to keep my teeth and gums clean and healthy.
When I get to the dentist, I have to check in first and wait for my turn.
When it is my turn, a dental hygienist will call me back.
A dental hygienist is someone who cleans my teeth.
I will sit in a chair that leans back and props my feet up.
The dental hygienist will have me open my mouth.
I will open my mouth so they can check that my teeth and gums are healthy.
They will use special tools to clean my teeth.
Sometimes, they may have to shine a bright light to see inside my mouth. I can wear sunglasses if the light is too bright.
The dental hygienist will use floss to clean between my teeth.
After cleaning my teeth, the dentist will come to check to see that my teeth and gums are healthy.
The dentist will look inside my mouth to see if there are any cavities.
After I am finished, I will get a new toothbrush to take home.

How GBC ABA Therapy Services Can Help

At GBC Autism Services, we provide ABA therapy to children with autism in the areas of Chicagoland, Peoria, Normal, Rockford, Springfield, Dekalb, and North-West Indiana. Our services include in-home and clinic-based ABA therapy, early intervention services, school consultations, and social skills groups.

The team at GBC doesn’t only focus on the behaviors that might be seen as weaknesses in children with autism. We accept and appreciate each child’s unique abilities and incorporate them into our programming. In fact, we love to learn about each child’s interests and strengths and only look to help them navigate the world better.