What can I do during the dental visit?
Overview
This section will focus on what you can do during the dental visit. For guidance on how to prepare before the visit, you can refer to this page.
There may not be time during the actual visit to have all the discussions about your child’s needs. Often, a dental visit needs to happen quite quickly. It is better to provide the dentist with information beforehand, so they know how best to help your child. Don’t panic if your child is overwhelmed by the dental surgery and does not want to have their teeth checked.
Some children require multiple visits to become accustomed to the dental surgery before their teeth can be examined. Even if your child only opens their mouth for a short period of time as part of a game, such as roaring like a lion, some obvious dental issues might be visible. Sometimes, it is easier initially to have teeth looked at while sitting on a visitor chair rather than the dental chair. Remember, you are not alone in this journey, and it is important to celebrate the small wins along the way. Watch parents and professionals talk about this in more detail.
Going to the dentist tips from parents and professionals
Sensory preparation before and during the dental visit
Have conversations with the dental team
Some parents find it helpful to talk to the dental team before the visit to make the experience better for their child. Here are some things you can consider:
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Clarify the goals for the visit with the dental team. Make sure they understand what you hope to achieve, whether it’s simply introducing your child to the environment or completing a full dental check-up.
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Let the dental team know of any specific preferences or triggers, and discuss any reasonable adjustments that might help, such as dimming the lights or double layers of glasses.
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Ask the dental team to explain each step of the process in simple terms. This can help you support your child by preparing them for what will happen next. For example, you could ask the dentist to count down from five to one to demonstrate when each part of the check up is completed.
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Think about the best way for the dental team to communicate with your child. Do they need to use short, specific instructions like "sit in the dental chair" or "open your mouth"? You know what works best for your child and how they are most likely to respond, so share this information with the dental team.
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Speak with the dental team and discuss what you want from the visit, whether it’s a conversation about how to look after teeth, a dental examination, or both. This clarity will help you determine who needs to attend the appointment, which dental professional to see, and the priority of the visit. For example, if it’s about how the dental team can support you at home, you might have a separate conversation with other members of the dental team without your child present.
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Let the dental team know when you think it is best to carry on and when it is best to stop. For some children, it is best to carry on even if they are a little bit upset to avoid the need to return. Other children are better if the visit is stopped, the child is praised and then it is continued on another day.
Be familiar with what happens during a routine dental appointment
For an explanation of what happens during a dental visit and what it covers, you can look at the National Autistic Society's guide on going to the dentist. This provides information on each step of the dental appointment, including detailed descriptions of what typically happens during a dental visit, from arrival to examination and any treatments.
Start slow
Some children may need multiple visits to become comfortable with the dental setting. Start with short visits where they simply sit in the waiting room or on a visitor chair, gradually working up to sitting in the dental chair.
Taking It One Step at a Time
First, we suggest helping your child get used to the dental environment. You can arrange a short, informal visit to the dental waiting room before the actual appointment. This gives your child a chance to experience the sights, sounds, and smells without the pressure of an check-up. The visit can be as short as a few seconds or minutes, depending on what your child can handle. Bringing along comfort items like a favourite toy or blanket may also help. This may take one or several visits.
Once your child feels comfortable in the waiting room, you can introduce them to the dental staff in a calm, friendly way during the next visit. Meeting the people who will care for them can help reduce fear and build trust. After this, you can gradually introduce them to the dental room.
Starting with these small, manageable steps can help your child feel more at ease and confident in the dental setting, making future visits less stressful.
Check that your reasonable adjustments are in place
For a detailed breakdown of the reasonable adjustments that can be made during a dental visit, you can refer to our passport and here. This resource summarises important information, including how to communicate your child's specific needs to the dental team, adjustments in the dental environment (such as dimming lights or providing a quiet waiting area), and techniques to help manage sensory sensitivities.
Think about how to let your child know they are doing well
Think about how your child prefers to receive positive feedback. Some children respond well to clapping, some prefer stickers, and others may like a quiet ‘well done’ or a certificate. If there is a way of responding to your child that is likely to cause them distress, it would be helpful if you highlighted this to the dental team so that it can be avoided. Some families find that taking a photo of your child doing well at the dentist useful because this can then be shown to them before future visits.