Dubai, UAE - A dental checkup for kids is good, and doctors recommend a routine visit once every six months. By getting their mouth examined regularly, your kid develops a good oral hygiene routine and has strong teeth. On the flip side, many children have dental anxiety, which may prevent them from regularly visiting their dentist. 

Few children encounter pediatric dental anxiety as an aftermath of an unpleasant dental experience, many little ones are afraid of unexplained reasons. Maybe they heard someone describe a painful dental procedure, or unintentionally fret the dental tools and machines, or maybe they are just scared because they are unaware of what to expect. Children find a lot of things scary because, at a young age, they are still learning about the world and how it works, or can’t comprehend everything.

Dr. Yasmin Kottait, an award-winning pediatric dentist and a recognised authority on children’s teeth and health in Dubai has a wealth of experience in treating children with dental anxiety. She says “every child is different and unique, and will take their own time getting used to dental appointments. At our pediatric dental clinic, we take time to understand our young patients and gain their confidence before getting them on the chair for a checkup.”

Preventing dental anxiety in children

Every parent is unique and takes care of their child at their very best. A parent’s instinct is to protect their child from their fears — what do you do when your child gives excuses for not wanting to visit the dentist? Rather than just skipping the dental appointment, parents need to understand and address their child’s anxiety.

The first step to effectively managing dental anxiety in children is to identify the “why” factor and take a very intentional approach to help them work through and overcome their anxiety.

The best dentist for kids in Dubai, Dr. Yasmin, is known for easing a child’s nervousness about the dentist allowing them to calmly make it through regular dental checkups. When children visit her clinic, she takes them around to make them feel at home. Popularly known as the “real-life tooth fairy”, she makes dental checkups less frightening and magically flips fears into fun. She recommends scheduling regular checkups to overcome their fears. “While some anxieties are natural, others are because children miss the opportunity to develop a healthy rapport with their dentists as they miss interacting with them often. This may prevent a child from honestly opening up to the dentists about any ache or discomfort they may be feeling" she says.

Giving your child advance notice of an upcoming appointment allows them to process their anxiety. The fear of the unknown is real in children. Encourage them to ask questions and help familiarise them with what the procedure involves - talk to them about what to expect. If you aren’t sure yourself, Dr. Yasmin and most dental offices will be happy to provide you with the information you need beforehand. Although you need to be honest and open, it’s also crucial not to provide too many details that may evoke thoughts of fear when you're telling your child what to expect. It’s best to keep an eye on their overall oral hygiene habits so that you can proactively take action before they complain of having developed any sort of pain. Children see parents as role models and find confidence in them. A parent’s dental anxiety can pass on to their child as well. Hence, parents need to set a good example. After all; parents who visit the dentist regularly and without trouble can help ease dental anxiety in their children. 

Dr. Yasmin’s message is simple: Helping children overcome dental anxiety takes teamwork – by both parents and dentists. Choosing the best pediatric dentist in Dubai for your child is important as dentists play a big role in helping your child overcome anxiety and develop good oral hygiene habits. Regular dental visits are crucial to keep that beautiful smile on.

About Dr. Yasmin Kottait: Having dedicated 16 years of her career to spreading smiles and imparting knowledge of oral hygiene to children, Dr. Yasmin is a renowned name and face in the field of pediatric dentistry in Dubai. Her joyful personality and magical kid-whispering powers make dental appointments for kids an easy sail – and lots of fun, that they never miss a single dental appointment with her! Dr. Yasmin is also one of the few Autism friendly dentists in the region, with a diploma in Cognitive Based Hypnotherapy and IBCCES Autism certification.