Dear Parents:
In order to improve the chances of your child having a positive experience in our office, we are selective in our use of words. We try to avoid words that scare the child due to previous experiences. Please support us by NOT USING negative words that are often used for dental care. These include:
| DON’T USE | OUR EQUIVALENT |
| Needle or shot | Sleepy juice |
| Drill | Whistle |
| Drill on tooth | Clean a tooth |
| Pull or yank tooth | Wiggle a tooth out |
| Decay, cavity | Dirty spot |
| Examination | Count teeth |
| Tooth cleaning | Tickle teeth |
| Explorer | Tooth counter |
| Gas | Happy air |
This will also help you understand your child’s description of the operative experience (fillings, stainless steel crowns, extractions, etc.). Our intention is not to “fool” the child — it is to create an experience that is positive. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us build a good attitude for your child!
Printable Version (.pdf opens in new tab)
