I feel like such a horrible mother. I forgot to take our camera to document Ethan’s first trip to the dentist yesterday afternoon. Oh well, I guess the story will have to suffice.
Before I tell you about our trip to the dentist, I would like to let you know that we spent several weeks preparing to see the dentist. Below I will list a few ideas that will help prepare little ones for a very scary experience.*
Use a Social Story. This blog provides a great social story about going to the dentist that I modified, added pictures to, and made into a book for Ethan to use to learn about what to expect on his trip to the dentist.
View Videos and Photographs. This website provides a sample video featuring a trip to the dentist. Here you can find a photo gallery detailing a little boy’s trip to the dentist.
Get Books. Visit your local library to discover books about the dentist. There are several great books out there, and you can even find books based on favorite kid’s television shows and characters.
Have Fun with Pretend Play. Have fun playing dentist with your child. Try to obtain a paper mask similar to what the dentist will wear and act out a trip to the dentist using dolls or stuffed animals as patients.
Get Crafty. Try some toothbrush painting. Print out a picture of a tooth or a mouth full of teeth, give your child an old toothbrush, let them dip it in paint, and "brush" the teeth. This is a fun way to discuss good dental hygiene and teach good brushing habits.
Now, on with our trip……
Our appointment was at 2:30. We went to see a pediatric dentist that had been recommended to us as having experience working with autistic children. We arrived for our appointment right on time, so we didn’t have to wait at all.
We were immediately taken back where Ethan was allowed to choose a new toothbrush. After choosing a blue toothbrush, he went to sit in the chair. The dentist showed Ethan the tools she was going to use and talked to him about them. She also let him feel the vibrating head of the tooth polisher.
After getting to know the tools, it was time to take a ride in the chair. The dentist laid the chair back and moved it up, and Ethan wasn’t so so sure he wanted to lay back. She offered him sunglasses to wear to shield his eyes from the light, but he refused them as well.
Then came the fun part. The dentist turned on the tooth polisher and the screaming began. Ethan fought hard. I restrained his hands while the dentist worked fast and furiously to clean and examine his teeth and apply fluoride. I guess the screaming was a good thing because it did keep his mouth open.
The whole process took about five minutes, and when it was over, Ethan was able to choose a toy and get a sticker while the dentist talked to me about his teeth. Ethan has all 20 baby teeth, they were very clean, he doesn’t have any stains, his teeth and gums are healthy, and he has the perfect amount of space between his teeth.
From start to finish our trip to the dentist lasted about 20 minutes. On our way out of the office, Ethan got to put his name on the no cavity tree, and we got our next appointment for sometime in January.
*Disclaimer: I currently work with two very gifted therapists who provide me with wonderful ideas and inspiration in helping Ethan learn to interact with the world around him. Without them I would be lost.