My daughter was born with a cleft lip and palate and has had a tremendous amount of surgical and dental work done. She has such a fear of seeing the dentist for any orthodontic work and dental work that even the MENTION of going puts her into a hysterical crying episode.
We need to have work done to prepare for a surgery, and the orthodontist told us that he wouldn't see her again unless she could sit quiety to have work done...after she sat in his chair crying hysterically for almost 45 minutes. I laid my hand on her chest and her heart was pounding like a rabbit while she was sobbing uncontrollably. I recently called our pediatrician to see what we can do to help calm her down before procedures, and he prescribed a form of Valium for her to take 30 minutes prior to the appointment.
She is going to turn 8 this year, and with so many years left of constant work on her teeth and maxillary bones, I'm concerned that this will develop into a lifelong problem. I'm open to any management besides putting her under in the hospital for every little procedure that needs to be done.
Full Version: my daughter's dental phobia
Keri,
I totally understand the dental phobia issue. My kids are the same way! I can't take them in without a scream fest. Not only that, they have hair cut phobia too, at least one of them. Hates clippers. Freaks out when they turn on the clippers.
On a more serious note, take a look at this article and see if it helps: http://www.anxiety-and-depression-solution...ntal_phobia.php
I think the Valium is a good idea, and will help her to calm down a little bit, but it will not eleminate her fear completely.
I think one thing that is important is that the dentist spend some time with your daughter to make her feel comfortable. Though I am no expert, one thing that might help is if the dentist discussed the procedure he is going to perform not only with you, but your child as well. Perhaps if he gave her a tour/demonstration of some type that showed her the different tools he will use and the safety procedures involved she might feel a little better. Maybe even coming in for this demonstration a couple of days before the procedure would be better. that way, she can get comfortable in the office and not have to be focused on the fact that in 20 minutes she's going to go through it. I would imagine that if the dentist really does care, he/she can spend 10-20 minutes of his day working through the issue.
Another idea is to maybe find resources on the web that discuss the different procedures she will be going through and showing her the results of these procedures... this way, she can see that the sacrifice she makes and the fear she has to work through will be worth it in the end. Make it more of a 'science exploration project'. Let her know it is something that is done regularly and people get through it without any problems or pain.
I am no expert in dental phobias, but I thought I'd share some ideas that came to mind. good luck. hope this helps.
Stefford
I totally understand the dental phobia issue. My kids are the same way! I can't take them in without a scream fest. Not only that, they have hair cut phobia too, at least one of them. Hates clippers. Freaks out when they turn on the clippers.
On a more serious note, take a look at this article and see if it helps: http://www.anxiety-and-depression-solution...ntal_phobia.php
I think the Valium is a good idea, and will help her to calm down a little bit, but it will not eleminate her fear completely.
I think one thing that is important is that the dentist spend some time with your daughter to make her feel comfortable. Though I am no expert, one thing that might help is if the dentist discussed the procedure he is going to perform not only with you, but your child as well. Perhaps if he gave her a tour/demonstration of some type that showed her the different tools he will use and the safety procedures involved she might feel a little better. Maybe even coming in for this demonstration a couple of days before the procedure would be better. that way, she can get comfortable in the office and not have to be focused on the fact that in 20 minutes she's going to go through it. I would imagine that if the dentist really does care, he/she can spend 10-20 minutes of his day working through the issue.
Another idea is to maybe find resources on the web that discuss the different procedures she will be going through and showing her the results of these procedures... this way, she can see that the sacrifice she makes and the fear she has to work through will be worth it in the end. Make it more of a 'science exploration project'. Let her know it is something that is done regularly and people get through it without any problems or pain.
I am no expert in dental phobias, but I thought I'd share some ideas that came to mind. good luck. hope this helps.
Stefford
QUOTE(Keri W. @ Jul 25 2007, 12:30 PM) 
My daughter was born with a cleft lip and palate and has had a tremendous amount of surgical and dental work done. She has such a fear of seeing the dentist for any orthodontic work and dental work that even the MENTION of going puts her into a hysterical crying episode.
We need to have work done to prepare for a surgery, and the orthodontist told us that he wouldn't see her again unless she could sit quiety to have work done...after she sat in his chair crying hysterically for almost 45 minutes. I laid my hand on her chest and her heart was pounding like a rabbit while she was sobbing uncontrollably. I recently called our pediatrician to see what we can do to help calm her down before procedures, and he prescribed a form of Valium for her to take 30 minutes prior to the appointment.
She is going to turn 8 this year, and with so many years left of constant work on her teeth and maxillary bones, I'm concerned that this will develop into a lifelong problem. I'm open to any management besides putting her under in the hospital for every little procedure that needs to be done.
We need to have work done to prepare for a surgery, and the orthodontist told us that he wouldn't see her again unless she could sit quiety to have work done...after she sat in his chair crying hysterically for almost 45 minutes. I laid my hand on her chest and her heart was pounding like a rabbit while she was sobbing uncontrollably. I recently called our pediatrician to see what we can do to help calm her down before procedures, and he prescribed a form of Valium for her to take 30 minutes prior to the appointment.
She is going to turn 8 this year, and with so many years left of constant work on her teeth and maxillary bones, I'm concerned that this will develop into a lifelong problem. I'm open to any management besides putting her under in the hospital for every little procedure that needs to be done.
I had dental phobia growing up that stemmed from a very traumatic experience at the age of 5. my parents thought it would be best not to tell me where we were going or what was going to happen. what happened was they had to pull my front tooth because it had a really bad cavity!!! i remember screaming and crying and they had to hold me down while they did it. i remember the tools the dentist had and how scary they looked how scary HE looked and i remember it hurting and being loud when they were pulling my tooth out.
anyway i was scared of the dentist all the way into my 20s. come to find out that when i finally HAD to go back to the dentist because of toothaches i had about 25 cavities and and the dental work cost thousands of dollars. that trauma definitely was to blame. i would have rather just not thought about it and then just stopped thinking about brushing my teeth. some mental block.
i say if your dentist is impatient try your best to find another one!! a dentist who will be able to explain what's happening, how things work, and be emotionally supportive of her during this grueling surgery process. if the current clown can't do that fire him! the dentist i am going to now is amazing!! i am never scared to go there and i have had some serious dental work done at this point so i know a good dentist is all it takes.
does your daughter have a male or female dentist by the way?
maryanne: dental terror survivor!
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