Dear Parents,

Welcome to your child's new pediatric-focused dental home. Your child's first appointment is very important to me. My goal is to create a fun, supportive, non-fearful, and caring environment that allows your child to develop a positive and healthy outlook on dentistry and oral health.

Your child's teeth and gums will be examined and any necessary radiographs (x-rays) [usually none if an infant] will be taken at our first appointment together. A prophy or toothbrush prophy cleaning will then remove plaque from your child's teeth and gums. Enjoy learning how to help your child with cleaning at home throughout the process. For most children, this will be a fun experience. You, as a parent, play an important role in getting your child started with a good attitude toward dental care. To help, be completely natural and easygoing when you tell your child about their appointment. Be positive. This approach enables your child to view the upcoming dental visit as an enjoyable opportunity to stay healthy.

Your cooperation is appreciated. Remember, good general health depends partly on the development of good habits, such as sensible eating, sleeping routines and exercise. Dental health also depends on good habits, such as proper brushing, regular dental visits and good diet. These points and others can be discussed thoroughly during your child's appointment.

Please ask about our "No Cavity Club" program when you see us.

How You Can Help

Parents during the dental appointment:

• Help seat your child.
• Provide a hand for your child to hold when they need it.
• Keep siblings, not being seen, with you at all times or with a babysitter.
• Turn cellular phones off when in the treatment and exam areas.
• Let your child do all the talking.

Instructions for you as a concerned parent:

• Several days before the appointment, tell your child casually that you both will be visiting the dentist. Don't force the issue; don't be over-sympathetic to the child or display any fear or misgiving in your voice.
• Please do not voice or otherwise project your own personal fears in front of the child as this often causes fear in your child.
• Explain about dental visits in a positive matter-of-fact manner, telling the child that the dentist is a nice and helpful person.
• Don't bribe your child into going to the dentist because this will alarm your child in thinking that there must be danger ahead.
• Don't use dentistry as a threat or punishment for your child (i.e. "If you don't behave, the dentist will poke you with a needle and drill your teeth!"). Always be positive.
• Don't promise your child that the dentist will or will not do certain things. The dentist should not be placed in a compromising situation where he is limited in what he can do for your child.
• Don't ask your child if they want dental treatment. Give them strategically directed choices instead. For example: "Would you like me to brush your teeth first, or Dr. Hsu?"
• Once you are at the dental office, kindly follow the dentist's instructions closely. If you do as the dentist asks, then your child will follow your example.
• Bring your child to the dental clinic for regular check-ups (usually every 6 months) unless indicated otherwise by Dr. Hsu.

Because a dental office can be a strange and unsettling place to your child, feel free to stay with your child during his/her dental care. However, there are times when a child may act more rebellious when a parent is present. "Acting out" for some children is normal, however, counter productive to dental treatment. In this situation, Dr. Hsu may ask you to leave the child's side and observe the rest of the treatment from outside the treatment room.

Information If You Are Accompanying Your Child In The Treatment Room

As a dentist focused on the care of children and as a father of two younger children, I will do my very best for your child. However, I will need your help too. When you are in the treatment room, you can help your child work safely and harmoniously with me by following these few and simple guidelines.

• Please refrain from talking to your child. There are times when I need to give specific instructions, and your child will become confused if many voices are telling him/her different things. Also, while I know it is natural for you to speak soothingly to your child when he/she cries, when in the dental chair this may be counterproductive (if you say it's "okay", it might not really be for him/her). Remember, your child may not know why he/she is crying and may cry harder when the parent is alarmed.
  
  Trust that I will give your child many "hug breaks" if necessary and hand-holding is encouraged. If you do speak to your child, offer something distracting that's not related to your child's crying or the dental treatment he/she is receiving (i.e. - "We're going to the park today to see the pretty ducks swimming in the pond..."), or tell your child their favorite story. Studies have shown that distraction works best under these circumstances.
  
  Your child will enjoy a flat-screen TV on the ceiling above during treatment for the purpose of distraction as well. Please note that our team sees many many children with varying fear/anxiety levels and temperaments; however, most of our child patients do very well and are very happy during their appointments.
  
  
• Please transfer your authority to me. It is less stressful for the child if he can recognize one clear authority, and ultimately I need to be in charge of the situation. Please model this behavior for your child by listening to me and doing what I ask. Then your child will be more receptive to me. There may come a point where I need to ask you to leave the room. Please do so, knowing that you are just leaving out of their sight. You can still see your child through a window provided on the door. Please remember that, even though you have temporarily transferred authority to me as a behavior management tool, you are the absolute, final authority for your child at all times. My duty is to deliver the best dental care for your child with your permission.
  
  
• Please understand the accepted methods of behavioral control that dentists often use. One of them is voice control. You may hear me modulate my voice depending on the situation, from gentle to stem, in order to elicit cooperation from your child. Know in advance that if I speak sternly, I do so from heartfelt concern and not out of anger.
  
  
• Communicate your feelings with me. Please tell me what you expect as a parent, and I will tell you what I can do as a dentist. If you are uncomfortable about any methods of behavior management, please inform me before we start treatment. If you need to discuss a concern during the procedure, please ask me to stop, and I will gladly do so. For your child's safety, do not grab my arms or hands when I have instruments in them.

Treating your child is my passion. Restoring a happy, healthy child's smile is very rewarding. Please help me gain cooperation from your child to have a wonderful dental experience.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Chester Hsu, DDS