Does your child freak out at the idea of going to the dentist? If so, they aren’t alone. Researchers estimate that 16% of school-age children are terrified of the dentist.
Dentists consistently ranked in the top spot—as the most feared healthcare worker. While we don’t believe that is a fair judgment of our kind kids dentist, Dr. Heba Rashed, that doesn’t stop Petite Smiles from offering services that help kids and their family members feel more at ease.
If your child suffers from dental anxiety or dental fear, our pediatric dentist for anxiety and her team are ready to combat this common issue with compassion, coping mechanisms, and whatever it takes to ensure your child can smile from ear to ear.
Dental Anxiety vs. Dental Phobia
Dental phobia is more intense (but still very real). It is defined as the fear of the dentist. Unlike dental anxiety, dental fear might induce a panic attack and interfere with day-to-day functions.
But both dental anxiety and dental phobia are serious health issues that can lead to a vicious cycle of neglect and worsening oral health conditions (that ironically won’t get better unless you see a dentist).
Dental Anxiety and Fear Risk Factors
Sadly, children are susceptible to developing dental anxiety and phobia. What might be worse is that these negative feelings towards the dentist can carry on into adulthood and are likely to pass on their generational behavior to their children. Yikes.
Why are children more at risk for dental anxiety and fear? Here are a few reasons:
- Poor previous past dental experiences
- Poor oral hygiene
- Painful major dental procedures
- General lack of understanding that the dentist’s office doesn’t have to be a scary place
Dealing with Dental Anxiety and Phobia
First and foremost, the first (and arguably the most critical) step for helping kids overcome this issue is meeting a dentist for anxiety patients. Even if taking this first step in dealing with dental anxiety seems small, it can make a HUGE impact.
Before your child’s next pediatric dentistry appointment, Dr. Rashed can list dental anxiety treatment options and strategies to ensure that the visit runs smoothly. For example, she might offer dental anxiety medication to calm nervous or worried young patients safely.
Pediatric Dentistry in Lorton, VA
At Petite Smiles Boutique Pediatric Dentistry, our mission is to deliver exceptional dental services for kids of all ages. We strongly believe that forming exemplary oral hygiene habits as early as possible will cause a ripple effect into adulthood. We prioritize forging meaningful bonds with our young patients and their families so your child can have the best dental health possible. Meet our admirable kids dentist, Dr. Rashed, by calling (703)-688-2155 or message us online.
Petite Stories
My experience at Petite Smiles Dentistry with Dr. Heba Rashed exceeded my expectations. The clinic itself was beautifully designed with a child-friendly atmosphere, creating a relaxing environment. It was evident that they catered to their patients and the attention to detail was remarkable.
Brittany D.
So glad my kids first dental experience was at Petite Smiles! I have 4-year-old triplets and each one was so comfortable at the clinic. The entire Petite Smiles team was incredibly warm and welcoming. They engaged with my kids, which really helped them feel comfortable throughout their cleaning and checks. And Dr. Rashed was awesome - very knowledgeable, thorough, and communicative throughout the visit.
Fairuz M
I'm absolutely thrilled to share our wonderful experience with Petite Smiles Pediatric Dentistry. From the moment we stepped into their clinic, we were greeted with warm smiles and a friendly atmosphere that immediately put my children at ease. They even had a board with their names welcoming them in! It’s so important to create such a positive environment for children where they could be nervous…