Your child will be introduced to our dental team and to the dental environment. We invite you to stay with your child. However, for safety reasons, other children should remain in the reception area. Please do not be upset if your child cries. Children are often afraid of anything new and different, and crying is a normal reaction to that fear.
Parents need to assume the role of a silent observer. Your presence is greatly enhanced if you play a passive role. If more than one person is speaking to the child, they may become confused and overwhelmed. Cooperation and trust must be established directly between Dr. Tony, his staff and your child and not through you. Again, we also ask that siblings remain in the reception area.
There may be times when a child's experience is enhanced by a parent's absence. We encourage older children to come back to the treatment area by themselves as this builds autonomy and trust. Children who are very apprehensive may look for an "escape" by going to their parents. In this case, we may ask that a parent wait outside the room or in the reception area during treatment in order to facilitate a more direct line of communication between the child and Dr. Tony.
