It was really important to me that she has a good introduction to dentist visits... that she gets eased into it, that everything gets explained properly to her, and that it is a happy and stress-free experience.
I made use of good-old trustworthy Google, and did a search for child friendly dentists in Pretoria or Centurion. I came across Wiggly Teeth - a specialised kids dentist in Pretoria, opposite Kloof hospital inside the Cure Day Clinic. Their website is really great, appointments can be made online, but I gave them a call - and got an appointment for the very next day.
Mia wasn't nervous at all. I chatted to her about it a bit beforehand, telling her how the friendly dentist will be looking in her mouth, checking out her toofies, polishing them until they shine like diamonds - just generally trying to put her at ease.
I had to fill in a patient form that included questions like asking about Mia's hobbies and likes, which already told me that this is exactly the right kind of place I was looking for! Another question asked whether I was expecting my child to be co-operative, and if not, why... I struggled with this question, and wrote that I wasn't sure, as she is a sensitive and anxious child.
When we arrived, doctor Meena herself was at reception and gave us such a warm welcome. She put Mia at ease straight away, chatting easily, doing things to make her laugh, and took us through to her room. In the hallway there's a little dress-up station, with hats, wigs, tutu's, wings - just all the more to make it a fun experience! Mia had a look and then politely said, "no thanks!" This after I had filled in on the form that her hobbies and likes include dress-up. ;-)
Doctor Meena showed Mia all the equipment that she uses for the check-up and the polishing, and even gave Mia a little mirror so that she could look too. There was a tv overhead with Cinderella playing, so cute!
Mia has a few cavities that need to be addressed, and also, the gap between her two front top teeth, is called a "frenum" and this can be fixed with a small procedure in theatre, to prevent her permanent teeth from also having a gap between them. I'm still considering our options about this.
I loved Doctor Meena's approach, the fact that she didn't want to immediately jump in and do the cavities, to just keep the first visit a quick, calm and happy experience. She had Mia giggling and laughing through-out the consultation!
They have a very nice interactive Facebook Page.
Definitely highly recommended! Hoping that Mia has a lifetime of happy dentist appointments!
That looks awesome! Do you think they'll take adult patients? I don't enjoy dentists very much.
ReplyDeleteHahaha, I know, I was thinking the exact same thing, that I wish I could make an appointment there!!
Deletexx
That's so great. It is important that kids aren't scared of the doctors/dentists etc.
ReplyDeleteLiam too has a childrens dentist. He's fabulous and Liam even asks to go there.
So glad Mia had a good time. Dentists can be scary
OH, PS, Liam also has gaps between his teeth, not saying they are the same kind of gaps as Mia's, but his dentists says it's perfectly normal as it makes sure there is plenty of space for the big teeth to come through. Again, not saying it's the same kind of gap
Ag cute @ Liam even asking to go to the dentist!
DeleteInteresting RE what your dentist says about Liam's gap. Must be different type of gaps then, I think, as the dentist said because of the "frenum" it's going to cause a gap between her two permanent teeth as well.
xx
The frenum is that little bit of skin that causes the gap. Honeybear has it at the bottom and we did the little snip thing when he was 7 weeks old. Even though I cried about it, it was less then ten minutes and did not seem to hurt him that much.
DeleteLove that this is available in Pretoria. Going to go make an appointment for HB.
That's so cool that you did it at such a young age!!
DeleteI also like that this kiddy-friendly version of a dentist visit just sets the stage for a better attitude towards dentists overall!
xx
That's great. Everything went together fine: from your enthusiastic kid, to a professionally-handled clinic. These are the things a mother would want for a kid's first dental visit, and I'm glad that Mia had those – while getting her cavities dealt with, as well. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteJon Mack @ Gentle Dental Online
Thanks for popping in at my blog, appreciate it!
DeleteDoctor Meena really knows how to get this kind of stuff done. It's true that she doesn't need to hurry things up. Not everyone who visits the dentist is eager to get to the operation part, especially kids. So it is better to ease them into the process until the check-ups and the treatments become a natural part of experience for them, and built on the happy vibes. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteTyler Williford @ Marzo Smile
Oh it looks like she was having a good time. I do love it when professionals who are serving children make the extra effort to make them comfortable and happy. There are sometimes when I wonder why someone works with children because they do not seem to care for them very much. If you do not like children, work elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteJoanna @ Westheimer Dentist