How Do They Do That?
Months ago, the pediatrician told me that it was time for Carly to see the dentist. My first thought was, "Really? What will they possibly check at that age?" and a second thought quickly followed--"How in the world will a child of that age sit still (in a dentist's chair, at that)?
But, with Carly nearing 2 1/2 years old, I decided to make her first appointment. The pediatrician had even given us a list of suggested dentists in the area, so I quickly realized that it wasn't just a "polite idea" for her to visit--it was a strong recommendation.
When I made the appointment, I asked the receptionist what to expect at the first visit. She said they would check to see that her teeth were coming in properly, talk about diet, etc. When I mentioned my doubt to her about young children sitting still in a dentist's chair, she said, "Oh, you'd be amazed at what they can do." This was going to be interesting.
The morning of Carly's appointment, you'd have thought that I was the one visiting the dentist. I'm not particularly fond of the dentist---sitting for 30 minutes with your mouth propped open, all the while wondering if, at the end of your time there, the dentist will come in and announce, "Oh, way back here, there seems to be some slight decay--we'll have to fill that one." Can you tell I've had a few "bad" experiences growing up? One time, I even started tearing up at the news. SO--all that to say, I was nervous for Carly, I suppose.
I had been talking up the dentist for a few days before her appointment, telling her, "You're going to the dentist soon! They're going to check your teeth and give you a new toothbrush and some stickers!" (I was banking on the stickers and new toothbrush--I know the stickers were a bit risky to bet on, but most doctors' offices have those in full-supply, so I figured I'd throw those in to the giveaway mix.) As we drove to the office, I told her that the dentist was going to look in her mouth, that Mommy would be there with her and that it wouldn't last very long.
When we arrived, a movie was playing, so Carly made herself right at home in one of the chairs. When they called her name, she wanted me to carry her back to the exam room, but she didn't stay in my arms long once we got there. The room was brightly-colored, with purple paint on the walls, stuffed animals hanging from the equipment and on the shelves, books lining the wall and an array of toys heaped in a corner. The nurse sat down and reviewed a few things with me, as Carly busied herself with the books and toys. Then, the nurse took down a big stuffed kangaroo from a shelf. This was no ordinary kangaroo--it had a mouthful of plastic teeth. The nurse showed Carly what they were going to do in her mouth, using the kangaroo as a model and a demo toothbrush and tooth "pick". The nurse even said, "Do you want to try brushing kangaroo's teeth, Carly? Just remember--these instruments are for kangaroo--not for your mouth. We'll use different ones for you." (I particularly liked that comment and cheered silently for the nurse.)
When it came time to check Carly's teeth, he asked Carly if she wanted to sit in the chair by herself or on Mommy's lap. The silent stare he got from Carly was answer enough for me--I hopped up in the chair and put Carly in my lap. She leaned back against me and, this was the surprising part, actually opened her mouth upon the dentist's asking. She kept it open while he looked at her teeth with the pick and mirror; it was almost as if she was excited that her teeth were being examined. Later on, she allowed the nurse to brush on a flouride treatment. (Didn't know they started that at this age, either!)
I breathed a sigh of relief when the dentist talked about Carly getting "prizes" after she was all done. (Prizes?! Wow--this is big-time stuff! If I had known that, I would have made an appointment for myself!) My comments to her about a new toothbrush and stickers were valid, thankfully--she got both of those AND prizes, too.
As we left, I don't know what I was more excited about--the fact that my child's teeth were coming in fine and were cavity-free or the fact that she behaved so well. Although I knew that they weren't going to tell Carly to hop in the chair right away and expect her to sit still, I didn't realize the steps they would take to get her accustomed to the visit. It was just another reminder that for every occupation and service, there is a fine art involved. And, at this office, they had certainly mastered the fine art of pediatric dentistry.
But, with Carly nearing 2 1/2 years old, I decided to make her first appointment. The pediatrician had even given us a list of suggested dentists in the area, so I quickly realized that it wasn't just a "polite idea" for her to visit--it was a strong recommendation.
When I made the appointment, I asked the receptionist what to expect at the first visit. She said they would check to see that her teeth were coming in properly, talk about diet, etc. When I mentioned my doubt to her about young children sitting still in a dentist's chair, she said, "Oh, you'd be amazed at what they can do." This was going to be interesting.
The morning of Carly's appointment, you'd have thought that I was the one visiting the dentist. I'm not particularly fond of the dentist---sitting for 30 minutes with your mouth propped open, all the while wondering if, at the end of your time there, the dentist will come in and announce, "Oh, way back here, there seems to be some slight decay--we'll have to fill that one." Can you tell I've had a few "bad" experiences growing up? One time, I even started tearing up at the news. SO--all that to say, I was nervous for Carly, I suppose.
I had been talking up the dentist for a few days before her appointment, telling her, "You're going to the dentist soon! They're going to check your teeth and give you a new toothbrush and some stickers!" (I was banking on the stickers and new toothbrush--I know the stickers were a bit risky to bet on, but most doctors' offices have those in full-supply, so I figured I'd throw those in to the giveaway mix.) As we drove to the office, I told her that the dentist was going to look in her mouth, that Mommy would be there with her and that it wouldn't last very long.
When we arrived, a movie was playing, so Carly made herself right at home in one of the chairs. When they called her name, she wanted me to carry her back to the exam room, but she didn't stay in my arms long once we got there. The room was brightly-colored, with purple paint on the walls, stuffed animals hanging from the equipment and on the shelves, books lining the wall and an array of toys heaped in a corner. The nurse sat down and reviewed a few things with me, as Carly busied herself with the books and toys. Then, the nurse took down a big stuffed kangaroo from a shelf. This was no ordinary kangaroo--it had a mouthful of plastic teeth. The nurse showed Carly what they were going to do in her mouth, using the kangaroo as a model and a demo toothbrush and tooth "pick". The nurse even said, "Do you want to try brushing kangaroo's teeth, Carly? Just remember--these instruments are for kangaroo--not for your mouth. We'll use different ones for you." (I particularly liked that comment and cheered silently for the nurse.)
When it came time to check Carly's teeth, he asked Carly if she wanted to sit in the chair by herself or on Mommy's lap. The silent stare he got from Carly was answer enough for me--I hopped up in the chair and put Carly in my lap. She leaned back against me and, this was the surprising part, actually opened her mouth upon the dentist's asking. She kept it open while he looked at her teeth with the pick and mirror; it was almost as if she was excited that her teeth were being examined. Later on, she allowed the nurse to brush on a flouride treatment. (Didn't know they started that at this age, either!)
I breathed a sigh of relief when the dentist talked about Carly getting "prizes" after she was all done. (Prizes?! Wow--this is big-time stuff! If I had known that, I would have made an appointment for myself!) My comments to her about a new toothbrush and stickers were valid, thankfully--she got both of those AND prizes, too.
As we left, I don't know what I was more excited about--the fact that my child's teeth were coming in fine and were cavity-free or the fact that she behaved so well. Although I knew that they weren't going to tell Carly to hop in the chair right away and expect her to sit still, I didn't realize the steps they would take to get her accustomed to the visit. It was just another reminder that for every occupation and service, there is a fine art involved. And, at this office, they had certainly mastered the fine art of pediatric dentistry.
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