Behavior Management

Creating A Calm And Comforting Dental Experience

Understandably, many children harbor fear about visiting the dentist. It can be scary to experience something new! Through behavior management techniques, our goal is to make your child’s first visit and every visit after as easy, comfortable and anxiety-free as possible. By implementing proven communication techniques into your child’s visit, we help them understand dental procedures in an approachable way. We also offer sedation options for children with special needs or who need extra help relaxing. Below, learn more about behavior management and how we help your child feel happy and safe when visiting the dentist!

richmond pediatric dentistry and orthodontics hygienist and young female patient

Behavior Management Through Communication Techniques

Our pediatric dentists and team understand that working with children is different than working with adults. When your child visits the dentist, there are certain aspects of their appointment that may feel overwhelming and scary. Utilizing communication techniques throughout your child’s appointment aids in behavior management of both cooperative and uncooperative patients. These techniques include:

  • Tell-Show-Do: This behavior management technique encourages your child to use all their senses to understand their dental visit. First, our team will tell the patient about what is going to happen. Then, they will show them before performing the action (do). By involving touch, smell, hearing and seeing, this technique helps introduce and familiarize your child to our office and dental setting in a non-threatening and interactive way.

  • Positive Feedback: Also called reinforcement, we use positive feedback to reward good behavior. Our team delivers positive feedback through facial expressions, verbal praise and high-fives. Ultimately, our goal is to reinforce this good behavior at your child’s next dental visit.

  • Distraction: We use this technique to divert your child’s attention from a procedure that they deem unpleasant or scary. Doing so is a way to prevent them from developing negative or avoidance behaviors around a specific procedure.

  • Nonverbal Communication: Nonverbal communication is a behavior management technique that helps to reinforce good behavior through facial expression, body language posture and appropriate contact. Our team uses it alongside other communication techniques to help enhance their effectiveness.

behavior management

Sedation Dentistry In Richmond, VA

Another form of behavior management is sedation, which allows for maximum comfort. Your child’s health and safety are of the utmost importance to us, and these sedation dentistry methods are completely safe when performed by our qualified dental professionals. Sedation options for behavior management include:

Deemed completely safe by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas or inhaled sedation, can help your child relax during dental treatment. A blend of nitrogen and oxygen, we will deliver this mild and odorless gas through a breathing mask that is gently placed over your child’s mouth. Though more relaxed, your child will remain fully conscious during the procedure. It is also easily reversible, and children will feel “normal” very quickly after their dental treatment.

We may recommend the use of medications to help your child feel more comfortable during their visit to our office. Oral sedative medication is a good option for patients who are especially anxious or have special needs. These patients will become drowsy during treatment, however, they will remain conscious during their treatment. If recommended, our pediatric dentists will help you decide which medication is best suited for your child.

Learn More About Behavioral Management And Sedation At RPDO

Our goal is to make dental visits less scary for your child—and less stressful for you! For more information and answers to frequently asked questions about sedation, visit our FAQs page. If you still have questions about behavioral management techniques we may use during your child’s appointment, contact us—we are happy to help!

Helping Richmond Smile

Comprehensive Pediatric Dental and Orthodontic Care

At Richmond Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we strive to deliver radiant, healthy smiles to families across Richmond, VA. Our kind and caring team is committed to providing professional, high quality service in an environment that is relaxing and fun. Our goal is to make your dental and orthodontic journey with us an amazing experience. Get started today!