By Megan Sprague

Doctor and dentist office visits are vital to keep your child healthy and growing. But sometimes, it can feel as if you’re doing them more harm than good if they’re sobbing while a hygienist is cleaning their teeth or a nurse is giving a shot.

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“Just because a child is crying does not mean we’re hurting them,” said Dr. Gregory J. Kuchtjak, a specialist in pediatric dentistry who has his own practice in Statesville. “We compare it to wearing a car seat. Just because your child cries when you place them in one, does that mean it’s hurting them or that they shouldn’t wear one? Of course not.”

Often, he believes the parents may be transferring their fears of the dentist to their children, who then become frightened themselves.

“Parents need to do a self-assessment,” Kuchtjak said. “If the adult is nervous, the child picks up on it and wonders why Mom or Dad isn’t acting the way they normally do. Children are very perceptive.”

The child, who can’t see what’s going on, then becomes nervous themselves and may start to cry or become upset, he said.

“If you’re repeatedly asking them if they’re OK, or are hovering with a concerned look, the child is going to start wondering why you think they wouldn’t be,” he said.

Dr. Avani Doshi, with Lake Norman Pediatrics, said it’s important for parents to be there to support their children, but not overreact.

“A lot of the time in their early years, children are coming in for tests or immunizations, so they associate the doctor with unpleasantness,” she said. “Strangers are poking and prodding them, and add that to not feeling well or their fear of the unknown, and of course they’re going to be upset.“

Doshi agrees that children take their cues from the parents, and that a calm demeanor is vital.
A lot of the fear that stems from dentistry is hype, said a frustrated Dr. Kuchtjak.

“We’ve gotten a bad reputation from the media, with sitcoms featuring root canals as these scary, awful things,” he said. “There have been a lot of changes in dentistry and these procedures are routine now, not scary at all.“

Kuchtjak comforts his little visitors by talking with them and being honest.

“I try to find a connection with the kid, like SpongeBob or riding bikes,” he said. “I also go out to the waiting room without my gloves or mask so they can see there’s nothing to be afraid of.”

Doshi advises that toddlers be given pretend doctor sets, so they can get used to the equipment being used on them.

“There are a lot of books for younger children about visiting the doctor as well that may help,” she added.

When a procedure does come up that might be scary, Kuchtjak believes honesty is the best policy.

“The number one thing everyone is apprehensive about is needles,” he said. “No one likes them, but I explain to the kids that you’ll feel a little pinch and then the sleepy juice will make your tooth take a nap. There are ways to talk about it without scaring them, and you have to gain their trust.“

Trigger words like needle are what gets kids going, he explained.

“Even adults will cringe when you start throwing around the needle word,” he laughed. “If one parent is nervous, have the other spouse explain it to your child, or let the dentist.“

The needle is also the number one fear of children when they see the doctor as well.

“The worst part is definitely the immunization or having their blood drawn,” Doshi said. “I try to put it off until the end of the visit and not let them see it. The vision of it is what makes them antsy or anxious.“

Honesty is her policy as well.

“Just being matter-of-fact and straightforward alleviates a lot of worry,” Doshi said. “Just tell them that when it’s done, they’ll feel better and try to appear outwardly calm.“

Overall, Kuchtjak explained that children need to understand the importance of their teeth.

“Tell them that taking care of their teeth is just like taking care of any other body part,” he said. “Maintenance is required.”

“As kids become older, they’ll learn that not every procedure is painful or unpleasant,” Doshi added. “Then you establish trust.“

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