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Photos to help you talk to your child about their dental visit

Caring for your child's teeth is an important part of their healthcare. This involves regular visits to the dentist for checkups. Some children may be nervous or scared about going to see a dental therapist.

These photos and words can help you talk to your child about what happens when they visit a dental therapist.  

A story on visiting the dental therapist

Today I am visiting the dental therapist to get my teeth checked.

Photo of a dental clinic

I will go inside and meet the person at the front desk. I will tell them my name.

Photo of a person sitting at the dental clinic reception

I will take a seat and wait until the dental therapist is ready.

There may be books and toys to play with, or maybe even a television to watch. 

Photo of a dental clinic waiting room

The dental therapist will call my name out when it’s my turn to get my teeth checked.  

Photo of dental therapist

I will follow the dental therapist to their office, I can take my family members with me.

Photo of a dental clinic corridor

The dental therapist will say hello and ask me to sit in a big chair

Photo of a dental therapist

The big chair will lean back so the dental therapist can see inside my mouth

Photo of a dental chair

The dental therapist will wear a mask and a special gown to get ready to look at my teeth

Dental therapist in a mask and gown

My dental therapist will use special tools to check my teeth

Photo of dental tools to check teeth

I will open my mouth wide so the dentist can look at all of my teeth

Photo of a dentist

I did a great job sitting still and opening my mouth for the dental therapist to look inside

Dental assistant smiling holding a sticker

We all say goodbye and I leave the way I came.

My visit to the dental therapist is all done. I will go back again when it's time for another check-up.

Acknowledgements

Our thanks to the Bee Healthy Regional Dental Service for permission to reproduce these photos from their resource 'My visit to the dentist'.

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