Managing Dental Fear & Anxiety In Children

Dental fear in children has an overwhelming effect on their conduct which includes them to a have preconceived notion that the dental treatment will be of a painful nature.

Dental fear hampers their ability to cope with clinical setting of a dental clinic, which in turn leads to failure to seek timely dental treatment, and eventual deterioration of oral health.

Such is the psychological impact of negative dental experience, that its remnants are seen as after effects in adult life.

Dental fear has been also reported as one of the most important reasons for avoidance and negligence of regular dental care. Neglect of dental care may lead to dental decay and pain that usually results in a visit to the dentist which in turn increases the patient’s original dental fear and thereby completing a vicious cycle.

Here a pre cooperative child 3.3 yr old, presented with a past dental experience by physically restraining the child. Treatment was done against her wishes that lead to development of dental fear.

Apparently the entire experience lead to

1. Avoiding further dental treatment by parents, since the experience stings both the parent and the child.
2. Preventive treatments follow-ups go a miss, and some teeth that could have been saved by non-invasive treatment eventually flare-up to severe pain and eventual loss or the dreadful root canal treatment for your child.
3. The squirming child whos at the apex of the pediatric triangle not only affects the parents, but also affects the efficiency of the pediatric dentist and delivering quality dental care, that should ideally do its work until your childs milk tooth exfoliates. Last but not the least, the same kids, parents share their experiences with peers, which starts instilling fear and anxiety even in those that are yet to establish contact with pediatric dental offices.
4. Dental treatment is not expensive but Dental Neglect is. Let not fear be the reason for this neglect.

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So, is there a way to avoid this?

Well there surely is,
Pediatric dental moderate sedation is one of the answers to provide quality dental care as well instill a positive dental attitude.

See it, Believe it!