How to Educate Children in a Fun Way at a Dental Office

A young child's first trip to the dentist can be a milestone. By teaching children about the dentist in a fun way, you can provide young patients a positive foundation of dental knowledge and ward off any potential fears of visiting a dental office. Along with showing young children how a dental office works, you can teach them fun ways to maintain dental health, to instill a lifelong commitment to taking care of their teeth and gums.

Things You'll Need

• Oversize toothbrush
• Demonstration-size set of teeth mold
• Stuffed animal that has a set of teeth
• Dental stickers
• Child toothbrush
• Floss

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Instructions

• 1

  Introduce a young child to the dental hygienists and dentist at the office. Go with the child and a hygienist on a quick tour of the office. Allow them to ask questions about the dental chairs, tools and equipment. Let the child see the rooms they could sit in on a visit to the dentist.

• 2

  Show a young child the dental chair. A hygienist can demonstrate how the chair functions. He can raise and lower it, turn the lights on and off, and demonstrate the tools used for cleaning teeth. After seeing a demonstration on how the dental chair works, have the youngster sit in the chair. If she is uncomfortable sitting in the chair alone, she can sit on a parent's lap.

• 3

  Show the child a large mold of teeth. Allow him to hold the mold. Demonstrate proper brushing technique with an oversize toothbrush. Along with brushing, show him how to floss by using the teeth mold and demonstrating flossing techniques. Teach him how to wrap dental floss around each index finger and place it between teeth. Use the teeth mold to show him the proper amount of pressure to place on the dental floss so he doesn't push too hard and damage his gums.

• 4

  Give the young child a stuffed animal and a toothbrush. Allow the child to brush the stuffed animal's teeth to practice proper brushing techniques. After brushing teeth, have the child also practice flossing. When they have completed both brushing and flossing, the dental hygienist can give the child a sticker.

• 5

  Give the child a goody bag filled with a toothbrush, floss, dental stickers and a small toy to remember their first trip to the dentist.