Dentist
A stranger so close to the mouth you cannot answer, instruments that whistle, a chair that tilts back. The pictures below let your child know exactly what will happen, removing the surprise before the body even tenses up.
♀Dentist
A dentist wearing a mask and gloves, holding a dental mirror and a clean, sparkling tooth.
♀Dentist
A dentist holding a dental mirror next to a cartoon tooth with a tear, indicating a problem.
♀Dentist
A dentist wearing a mask and gloves, holding a dental mirror and a healthy, sparkling tooth.
♀Dentist
A dentist wearing a mask, holding a dental mirror near an open mouth with teeth.
About this visual support
Most of what actually happens at the dentist is quick. The problem is that during it your child cannot talk, cannot see what is happening above their face, and cannot tell how long each step will last. That combination, the feeling of having no way out, is what triggers the fear, not the drill sound or the suction in itself.
Visual support gives back what the mouth takes away: the ability to communicate and predict. Lay the pictures out in the order the visit actually unfolds, from the waiting room and the chair to the lamp, the mirror, and the rinsing water at the end. Your child can follow along at their own pace even when they cannot speak. Many children also want to hold the card for the picture happening right now, like a button they can press.
A tip that often makes a real difference at the dentist: agree on a stop signal with the dentist before you start, for example raising the left hand. Practice it at home next to the bathroom mirror the day before, with the picture cards next to you. Visual preparation plus a physical pause button is a strong pair. In the Routined app you can build a short whole-visit routine with a timer and checkmarks that your child gets to tick off themselves once you are home.