Flourish Health & Wellbeing eMag - Latest Edition - Flipbook - Page 13
Helping Children with
Dental Anxiety
Anxiety in childhood can persist into
adulthood if not addressed early.
Children may develop fears due to painful
procedures or by observing anxious parents.
Why Early Visits Matter
Den琀椀sts recommend bringing children in
a昀琀er their 昀椀rst tooth erupts—not because of
a problem, but to familiarise them with the
environment. The goal is to build posi琀椀ve
associa琀椀ons early.
For young children, si琀�ng on a parent’s
lap during appointments can make the
experience feel safer.
Tips for Parents:
• Talk posi琀椀vely about the den琀椀st and
avoid language that implies fear.
• Role-play dental visits at home to
reduce uncertainty.
• Avoid saying things like “be brave,” which
may imply there’s something scary ahead.
• Allow children to bring a comfor琀椀ng
item, like a favourite toy or blanket.
• Use non-food rewards such as a small
toy or book to encourage posi琀椀ve
behaviour a昀琀er the visit.
Dental anxiety is real—but manageable. By
using suppor琀椀ve techniques and maintaining
open communica琀椀on, den琀椀sts can help
pa琀椀ents of all ages feel more comfortable
and con昀椀dent about their oral health.
Dr Kaejenn Tchia is a den琀椀st
working in a corporate private
prac琀椀ce in Darwin. He is the
President of the Australian
Dental Associa琀椀on NT Branch.
He is also a member of the
Colgate Advocates for Oral
Health. The Colgate Advocates
for Oral Health Community
is a group of dental and oral
health professionals who have
a passion for preven琀椀ve oral
health prac琀椀ce. They aim to
increase awareness on a wide
range of dental health topics
with Australian families and
the next genera琀椀on of dental
professionals. This is done
through the sharing of their
knowledge and experience in
the profession.
Read the latest ar琀椀cles from
the Colgate Advocates for
Oral Health by following
#AdvocatesForOralHealth on
Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn
and TikTok.
