So often people ask how we get children to sit still for dental treatment whether it's for fillings or a cleaning. There is no easy answer because just as there are many different personality types, there are also different levels of apprehension.

No matter what the purpose for the visit, your child's dentist will evaluate their level of apprehension as well as the amount of work to be done.

Behavior management or modification is the term used to explain how to encourage patient cooperation.

Simply put, different techniques and terminology can have a significant impact on a child's anxiety. It may sound strange, but simply talking with the child to develop rapport will help develop that child's trust. However the terminology used has to be cautiously picked. All too often, parents who are trying to be helpful accidentally use descriptions which can negatively influence the visit. We recommend parents simply tell their child that the dentist will show them everything.

Role-playing at home is also very effective for younger kids who are still getting used to having their teeth examined. The kids who regularly pretend to have a dental exam and cleaning at home are routinely more comfortable in the office setting. Parents will regularly bring children by for a play visit to get acquainted with the office. The children play in the toy rooms and become comfortable with the office prior to any exams.

Despite using these techniques, some children will benefit from nitrous oxide or laughing gas. This is a very safe medicine to use with children because it has minimal side effects and has a quick on set as well as Post-Op resolution. Laughing gas helps decrease anxiety, gag reflex, level of discomfort as well as making time seem to pass quickly. There are very few contraindications with this medicine.

Some children have significant anxiety such that they cannot relax sufficiently to have any dentistry safely performed.

In these instances, sedations are warranted so as not to develop any dental phobias. There are varying levels of sedation from which your child's dentist will choose based upon the anxiety and treatment at hand. Unfortunately we have several parents that state that they still remember a bad dental experience as a child. It is crucial to remember that although the dentistry is important, the child's safety is even more important. This includes the patient's physical as well as emotional well-being.

So is it magic?

To some families it may seem so. Investing the time and patience with the children at a young age can produce a comfortable patient for life. The earlier parents get involved with their child's oral hygiene, the better the overall result. Remember that life is never too short for a good dental experience.

(Dr. Will of Kid's Teeth is the local chair for National Children's Dental Health Month. He practices at both Kid's Teeth offices.)

This was the final part of a 4-part series by Dr. Will.