A parent’s guide to what’s inside the dentist’s office

Mums Tips

Fitness & Health

Published on Tuesday, 14 October 2025 10:10

Last Updated on 14 October 2025

Monica Costa

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Making sure your child feels calm and comfortable walking into the dentist’s office truly matters, especially when you want to make sure they don’t develop a phobia. One of the keys to success here is to know what to expect, and making sure that you, the parent, are well-versed in what lies behind the door can make all the difference. If your little one knows that you know what is going on and that you are in control, they will be so much more relaxed and care-free about the experience. 

With this in mind, we’ve created a handy little guide for every London mum who wants to be prepared the smart way.

The dentist’s chair is not to be feared

If your child has heard scary stories in the playground or seen an exaggerated representation in a cartoon, you may have a slightly steeper uphill battle here. Let your child know that the dentist’s chair is nothing more than a big, comfy, adjustable seat that they can lie back and relax in when it’s time for the appointment. Telling them that adults use the same chair might also help because it allows you to tell them about your own positive experiences. 

It’s also really important to let your child know that they can get out of the chair whenever they need to, and for any reason. Sometimes kids get worried that because they may not be able to talk, they won’t be able to raise the alarm if something goes wrong or just when they need something. Let them know that a simple signal like raising their arm and waving is all it takes to pause proceedings should they need to. 

 

Mirrors and instruments are there to help 

If a child is not expecting to see a range of metal instruments laid out by the chair, it can be intimidating, especially if they are already a little worried. Showing them pictures of mirrors and other instruments before the appointment is a good way to build their confidence and make sure that there are no nasty surprises. 

Be prepared for your little one to ask you what each of the items is used for and to fire a couple of follow-up questions at you. Let them know that the instruments are made of metal because metal is safe and is used for cleaning and inspecting teeth. Tell them that the mirror is so the dentist can safely see their back of their mouth and give them the help they need. Show them that you understand the basics, and they will trust you when you tell them everything will be okay. 

 

Cleaning instruments are safe but noisy  

Telling your child that sometimes the dentist will have to do a little cleaning after an inspection is also important. Let them know that this doesn’t mean the dentist is annoyed or that they have somehow done something wrong — the dentist is there to help and make sure they never get a toothache. Cleaning instruments can be intimidating due to their size and the noise they create, so you may find it helpful to show your child a quick video on YouTube.

Trying to sell the process to them as a super-special clean that the dentist wants to give them to help their smile shine is one way to approach things. By framing it in a positive way, you can make sure that they don’t feel like having these types of treatments is a bad thing. 

 

X-ray machines are science in action 

Children love to learn new things, and letting them know that the X-ray machine they may have to use allows the dentist to see their teeth and bones is a great way to get them interested. And if you are a practice manager reading this, sourcing your dental equipment from an established nationwide supplier and simultaneously investing in educational materials for children can help. If the two sides work together, the result will always be happier, calmer children who grow up to be adults who think nothing of putting good dental hygiene into practice every single day. 

 

Preparing for the big day 

Talking to your child about what to expect while at the same time giving them something to look forward to afterward is the approach many parents choose to take. It’s about building their confidence and letting them know how proud you are because they are being big and brave. And the more often you go to regular check-ups, the easier it’s going to become for them.