By: Dr. Peter Markov, Owner and Kids Dentist at VK Pediatric Dentistry in Arlington, VA
One of the most common things I hear as a pediatric dentist is: “my child is terrified of needles.” And honestly, that’s perfectly normal. Who wouldn’t be? Needles are shiny, scary, and often times they look like they are sized for a horse’s mouth instead of a child’s. So why is it that most children at VK Pediatric Dentistry don’t even know they got a shot during treatment? Dr. Peter weighs in on 3 of his most important factors in why the kids he treats rarely feel anything and how even the most hesitant children are able to relax and accept pediatric dental care.
Ultimately, it comes down to 3 main things:
1- Preparation.
Have you ever heard the saying: “If you expect something bad to happen, it will.” When kids come to a pediatric dentist, they don’t know what to expect. Building a positive experience at VK Pediatric Dentistry starts from the moment a child walks into our waiting room (which has fun games with active seating, plenty of children’s books and iPad, and sensory toy wall). This allows children to get used to the new sounds, smells and sights of the office and lets even nervous or anxious kids feel comfortable before their appointment begins. During the appointment, Dr. Peter will assess a child’s cooperative potential and then give them the tools to help build trust and never have to wonder ‘what is happening next’. We use contemporary behavior management techniques such as tell, show, do; ask, tell, ask; positive reinforcement and modeling to make sure a child remains comfortable and in control.
2- Technique
Dr. Peter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 10 and quickly learned the best and most pain-free ways to perform injections when he needed to give himself insulin injections daily, often after every meal. He uses a lot of the same techniques when using local anesthetic with his patients. Through his own trial and error, he has found specific techniques that work very well and can get even the most nervous kids to relax and accept dental care. One of the best parts of our day is how often a child thanks Dr. Peter for not having to give them a painful shot, even though they were fully numb for the procedure.
3- Materials
Without getting into the nitty gritty, not all dental materials are created the same. We are proud to use some of the best dental materials on the market from local anesthetic that has a quicker onset and better absorption in children to topical anesthetic that helps the initial pinch feel much more comfortable. We don’t believe in making compromises when it comes to quality and kids dentistry.
VK Pediatric Dentistry
5001 Lee Hwy. Arlington, VA 22207
Schedule An Appointment Today in Arlington, Virginia at VK Pediatric Dentistry
If you haven't taken your child to a pediatric dentist yet or would like to schedule an appointment, Dr. Peter and the highly skilled team at VK Pediatric Dentistry are just a phone call away. Schedule an appointment online or call us today at 703-962-7814. We look forward to providing your children a lifetime of healthy and happy smiles!!