Taking your child to the Dentist: An EW Review

Going to the dentist has a certain dreaded feel about it, even adults put off going until it is absolutely necessary. So when I told my 7 year old daughter we would be going to Dr. Michael’s Children's Dental Center I was pretty surprised she was actually excited. It would be her first visit to the dentist – I know tut tut, she should really have had a visit before now but somehow that delay tactic had transferred down to her appointments as well.

 

Having lived in Dubai for a few years we have all come to expect a certain high class wow standard of décor in hotels and restaurants. It’s not a hotel but visiting Dr. Michael’s Children's Dental Center was no exception and the thoughtful layout, fresh colour scheme, and wonderfully spacious design exceeded even my inflated Dubai expectations. Yes, this is a dentist center just for kids, the customary children’s toys sit untouched in the waiting room as each child is handed an iPad to amuse themselves as we wait. That certainly did the trick in keeping the little ones busy - as quiet as mice and allowed us fraught mothers to enjoy our heavenly Nespresso coffee at ease. The little teeth are not forgotten even in the waiting room and a selection of complimentary healthy fruit is available for the little ones to munch on. A garden equipped with bikes and trikes is ready to be used in the cooler weather.

Dr. Chantal Kengo personally came to get us and we all sat down on chairs and talked about the reason for the visit. Sassy was to have a general check up and Fluoride wash. Once the purpose of the visit had been established Dr. Chantal explained to Sassy that she would need to sit in her special chair so she could get a good look at her teeth. Sassy was more than ready to jump in the child sized seat that went up and down, tilted this way and that and again tastefully coloured in the same funky colour scheme as the rest of decor. 

SEE ALSO: Flouride guidelines for kids

The whole experience was stress-free and verging on fun. Sassy was given a mirror, watching as Dr. Chantal counted her teeth and got her involved in each procedure and action. Dr. Chantal has a natural easy way with kids and explained each and every instrument or tool she was to use. It made Sassy feel really comfortable. She introduced Shower and Mr. Thirsty as she did a good clean on her teeth after exposing the plaque left on Sassy’s teeth and a few stubborn sticky bananas.

 

Following on, she took Sassy through the best way to brush her teeth, gently guiding her initially and then letting Sassy have a go and helping her to get it right.  Next came the flossing, again with guidance and then given the chance to feel exactly how it should be done. 

 

What a fantastic first experience at the dentist, an easy comfortable and almost fun experience and of course walking away with a special reward, Sassy chose a gorgeous little ring all the way from France! 

 

Shockingly and rather unfortunately Sassy already has cavities, 5 no less! So we will be back to get them filled…

 

Having had a brilliant first visit to the dentist Sassy was completely un-phased at another visit and even more excited this time as it involved missing some school. We got to the center and now knowing the drill, Sassy grabbed an iPad and settled down on a comfy chair. 

 

Once Dr. Chantal appeared, Sassy placed the iPad back and went skipping into the treatment room and jumped straight into the chair, ready and waiting for Dr. Chantal to make her ‘fly’. Dr. Chantal’s child oriented approach shone through as she explained about the sugar bugs that have made homes in Sassy’s teeth and now that there are so many of them they need more homes and were taking over more teeth. Sassy was on board and she understood we needed to get these bugs out of the home they had created in her mouth. Dr Chantal was the one to do it. Sassy chose a film and was easily distracted with the perfectly placed TV screen on the ceiling. The bugs got some sleeping cream and marshmallow cotton was placed in her mouth. Once the bubble was doing its job the real treatment began. I didn’t even see Sassy flinch as Dr. Chantal administered the injection! Dr. Chantal and her assistant, Christina, worked quickly and calmly mending the holes in Sassy’s teeth. Again, explaining what she was doing when Sassy showed an interest: Mr. Elephant; much thirstier than Mr. Thirsty, Mr. Popcorn to make sure all those sugar bugs pop out and find those bugs playing hide and seek and the Eraser to rub out any of the bits that would aggravate Sassy’s tongue.

Going back to school with a sleepy left side and marshmallow cotton shoved in for effect of course, has lots of street credit attached to it – that is when you are in Year 3! You could see the pained faces of her teachers as they asked if she was ok. Absolutely fine, came the bubbly response and in no pain whatsoever and that was during the procedure too. 

 

Top marks, 10 out 10 for Dr. Chantal at Dr. Michael’s Children's Dental Center, this is a child center that is definitely centered for children.