5 Ways to Ease Dental Anxiety for Kids

Closeup of a little Asian girl who has overcome her dental anxiety in Long Island City, NY

Many children suffer from dental anxiety. If their anxiety isn’t addressed properly, it can set them up for a lifetime of fear about the dentist, which discourages them from getting care. Here are five ways to help ease your child’s dental anxiety:

  1. Be Compassionate
  2. When it comes to both kids and adults, anxiety doesn’t go away by ignoring it. And it can manifest differently for everyone. Your child might become irritable, complain of feeling unwell, cry, vomit, etc. Instead of getting impatient and snappy, soothingly let your child know you understand that they’re nervous and that you’re here to help. Speak gentle words of comfort, and refrain from criticizing and raising your voice.

  3. Choose a Family-Friendly Dentist
  4. Your child needs a compassionate kids’ dentist, like our team! Queensboro Plaza Dental Care treats patients of all ages at our dental office in Long Island City, NY. We provide a fun environment so your children are more likely to enjoy their dental visits! Some of our kid-friendly amenities include an iPad with games, a cavity-free club, and prizes after each appointment.

  5. Focus on the Positive
  6. Avoid using dental visits as a negative consequence. For example, if your kid doesn’t want to brush their teeth, avoid saying things like, “If you don’t brush, you’ll get a cavity and have to go to the dentist.” This can make a child associate going to the dentist with a bad thing. Instead, help your child focus on the positive aspects of their visit: seeing their friends (us!), a clean and healthy mouth, and our fun amenities.

  7. Stay Calm
  8. Kids are very sensitive to the emotions of their parents. If you are getting anxious, they’ll get anxious, too. No matter how your child reacts to going to the dentist, always do your best to be calm and gentle. They’ll see that the dentist isn’t something they need to fear because you are confident and relaxed!

  9. Consult with Our Friendly Team!
  10. Our team is trained in how to handle dental anxiety for kids and adults. If you aren’t sure what to do, don’t hesitate to contact us for advice. We can help you prepare your child for their trip to our dental office in Long Island City, NY. And during their visit, we will do all we can to help make it as stress-free as possible.

For additional tips to ease your child’s dental anxiety or to schedule appointments for your family, contact us today!

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Patient Reviews

Karoline PammerKaroline Pammer
20:52 30 Mar 22
Dr. Nguyen and his staff are extremely competent, friendly and professional. He is very thorough and explains everything very clearly. Finally I feel like I am in good hands when it comes to dental care.
Matt SmithMatt Smith
21:18 05 Feb 22
Great overall experience getting a dental cleaning. Very friendly staff, beautifully designed office, and a comfortable experience watching calming Netflix nature programming while in the chair. Complimentary beverages are in the waiting room and so is a little play area for kids.It felt to me that this was a patient-focused family practice as opposed to a cold, corporate dental mill trying to churn through as many patients as possible.I’ll definitely be coming back here for all my dental needs and I highly recommend.
Sundup SherpaSundup Sherpa
22:07 02 Feb 22
Dr. Nguyen and his staff are very welcoming and they provide an excellent experience every time I visit. I’ve only been here twice for annual checkups but would definitely consider and recommend this place to anyone who appreciates good customer experience and a very thoughtful approach to making sure that you feel at home. I have some procedures set up for later in the month and I must actually be the only person in the world actually looking forward to a dentist appointment.
Jayrockem GottemJayrockem Gottem
21:27 09 Nov 21
Great place wonderful staff they will be my go too dentist 100%
shawaf alishawaf ali
22:08 26 Aug 21
Very confident after leaving the office that my teeth are in greatttt hands. Above and beyond patient care. Very informative visits. A sense that they genuinely care about patient concerns. Added helpful guidelines I took home with me to reach dental hygiene goals before my next visits. Highly recommended you leave your old scary dentist ! 😁😁
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Queensboro Plaza Dental Care

Queensboro Plaza Dental Care