7 year old with dentist phobia - any advice?

[cactus]

Earlier today, I took my 7 year old for his check up. He's had at least 4 previous visits without any problems, except for a filling, which didn't cause too much anxiety at the time, but which unfortunately now needs to be replaced.

As soon as we approached the entrance he started to shake & cry, and this continued throughout the 15 minute wait and during the brief period in the chair. The dentist wasn't particularly empathic, and immediately referred him to King's Dental Hospital for treatment. Now this could be a positive move, but I'm also concerned that she made no attempt to reassure him and give him the option of returning on another day, and I'm concerned that she will always refuse to treat him because of his anxiety. I hope not.

Anyway, has anyone had to take their child to King's for treatment because of anxiety, and if so, what was the procedure, i.e. sedation of some kind? The dentist today couldn't enlighten me at all and was fairly unhelpful.

Also any tips to help with his general anxiety would be gratefully received.

Thanks

[The Nappy Lady]

Hi Cactus,

So sorry you had to go through that.

I can't offer direct help, but can tell you that Rashid, my dentist who is based on The Gardens is so lovely. We were there yesterday (me plus 3 children, 8, 7 and 4 years). My girls seem to arrive like a mini whirlwind and proceed to all ride up and down on the dentists chair at once, inspect his instruments, want to help by pressing buttons and filling the cup with the pink rinse stuff etc.

He is entirely patient, and refuses to accept my apologies for their over zealous behaviour. He is very kind and gentle and I would recommend him 100% to anyone. He explains everything and I can imagine he'd be very good with a child who was nervous.

The number for my dentist is 8693 4001, they are at 44b The Gardens, (just up that no entry road beside the Gardens Cafe).

I wonder whether you could maybe pop along and explain the problem and ask whether you could visit a couple of times with your son to try to cure his phobia, and with a view to staying with them as your new dentist of course?

Good luck. Poor little chap. I think if you can cure it sooner rather than later it can only be a good thing.

[cactus]

Thank you Molly, for taking the time to reply.

We live 5 minutes away from The Gardens, so I'm tempted to give your dentist a call and take a fresh approach.

He sounds great, and the complete opposite of the rather harsh practitioner we encountered yesterday.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

I'm dentist/needle phobic and attended Kings this week. The advantage is that all dentists/x-ray/extra personnel are all geared up to dealing with wimps and cowards and are brilliant so your son's experience will be positive and it might restore his faith in dentists.

I have a wonderful dentist called Mina at the dentists opposite Peckham Rye Station. She is so kind and sweet and patient and I can thoroughly recommend her. The number is 020 7639 4422.

[bluesuperted]

I had a horrendous dentist, like a Roald Dahl baddie, all through childhood, everyone in my town went to him and was terrified of him. I seriously hated going, I wasn't phobic/squeamish but I dreaded it and always left feeling awful. Luckily he retired and a fantastic new dentist replaced him - he changed my dental life!! He got me into Bristol Dental Hospital for *free* (and extensive, and undertaken by competent students, eek!) orthodontics in my twenties and I am eternally grateful to him for that - all because he listened to me when I said I hated my teeth. Anyway, he is brilliant and I travel back to Bristol to see him despite the inconvenience. So my point is, a lovely dentist makes a massive difference and I really hope you can get into see Rashid, he sounds lovely and it's so important! Excuse my ramble but I just wanted to give you hope, your son may have sensitivities surrounding dentistry in general or it may be the particular dentist he's seen - definitely worth exploring a new option if you can! Good luck! X

[snowboarder]

Slightly different situation but my 3.5 year old has been referred to Kings dental hospital recently...maybe by the same dentist as from what I understand she didn't try very hard to treat him (he's 3...he didn't want to open his mouth...unusual?!?). Anyway - they do all seem very nice there and are experienced with dealing with dental refuseniks. My little boy needs some further treatment and they are proposing oral sedation - apparently a drink and then they go all sleepy (I have reservations whether he will actually drink the drink...but hey), and may not remember anything.

One tip - as with these things generally there does seem to be a bit of waiting around - take toys/books/ipad...

[cactus]

Thank you everyone, for your supportive comments and recommendations.

I'm definitely going to try another local dentist, and see if we can help him conquer his fears.

Frankly I just feel a bit daft being referred to King's for a very simple procedure, which previously

took less than 5 minutes to carry out. Poor boy wasn't even kicking and screaming the other day, just whimpering quietly in the chair.

I do feel that with a bit of kindness and patience, he will be able to cope with the treatment.