Are you a Dental Phobic?
Take the test to find out.
Find A Dentist Near You Start Here

Expert answers

We know how daunting dental treatment can be. Our Dental Phobia certified experts are here to help ease your mind before treatment by answering your questions.

How do I get my dental phobic 10-year-old to the dentist?

My daughter is 10 years old and has had a few “bad” experiences at the dentist since she was 4!. She has had two teeth extracted after injection with no problems but still was quite a big thing for her at such a young age … injections etc. She then had to have some fissure seals done and unfortunately the dentist treating her did not give her a break and because she is anxious she stopped breathing properly, and had some kind of seizure/fit in the dentist chair, it was diagnosed as a feint after investigations but the whole process has left her traumatised about visiting the dentist. I did manage to get her back there once but she wouldnt sit in the dentist chair and after the quickest examination ever she then felt dizzy and had to sit outside. I now do not know quite how to get her back to the dentist, she hasnt been for a year now and yesterday one of her baby back teeth broke in half!! I quite literally do not know what to do as it will no doubt be another visit with trauma which will reinforce her phobia…. HELP!.

Your daughter may now need the help of a specialist service .
I should look for the Community dental Service in your area , or ask for a referral to a paediatric dentistry unit .
I think its likely that the extractions under local anaesthetic at such a young age may have set up what sound like anxiety attacks and not faints .
this then becomes a vicious cycle and needs careful handling .

Answer provided by: Dr Jennifer Pinder Retired
Copyright 2024 Dental Phobia | GDC | Last updated: April 2024 Website design by The Fresh