It’s never too early for your child to be their own advocate.

When it comes to medical and dental care, it is never too early for your child to be their own advocate. Whether your child has a health condition or not, it is important to teach your child to be in tune with their body, and speak up when something just doesn’t seem right.

If your child has a chronic medical condition, it is important to talk to them early about how the condition affects them. Your child should know what affects their condition, how it is treated, what symptoms may be associated with it, and what medications they take, and why. The earlier your child knows and understands these things, the sooner they will be able to advocate for themselves.

Let your child choose their level of involvement.

While younger children might not fully comprehend what is happening at their medical appointments, it is important to make sure your child is involved. As your child gets older and is able to understand what is happening at a medical or dental appointment, allow your child to have the opportunity to choose a treatment plan, as needed. Some children might not want to have that kind of power, and may feel immense pressure, and that is okay too. The idea is more about getting your child comfortable with having the opportunity to make choices for themselves.

Explain the appointment process and treatment options.

Sometimes, children can be anxious just because they don’t fully understand what is happening at a medical appointment or dental visit. If you, as a parent, aren’t completely sure, have the doctor, dentist, or nurse explain what will be happening during your child’s visit. As a professional, they  will be able to explain in an age-appropriate way what is going to happen during the procedure or visit, if any pain will be involved, any after care procedures required, and how their tools work.

If your child has a stuffed animal they want to bring, a doctor or dentist can demonstrate on the stuffed animal what will be happening during the visit or procedure. This can help your child see that they aren’t in danger, and your child won’t have any surprises during their visit. This can help your child to calm some of their anxieties about visiting the doctor or dentist.

After your child’s appointment is over, there might be a need for follow-up treatment. Have your child be involved with the treatment plan for follow-up care, as needed. If a medicine is needed twice a day, when would they like to take it? Should they brush their teeth right after a meal or right before bed? Having your child understand their options can help them make better choices and have more autonomy over their medical and dental care.

Let your child take control of their appointments.

As your child gets older, allow them to take control of their appointments. Let your child ask any question they may have about either the health or dental condition they may have, the appointment, the treatment, or even any after care.

During the appointment, allow your child to express any concerns they may have, and if your child is experiencing pain or discomfort, make sure they alert their dentist or doctor. The key is to make sure your child knows it is okay to speak up if they have  questions or concerns—there is no need to be nervous when talking about their health with a professional. Encouraging your child to be their own advocate will only help them as they grow into an adult. Often, your child will feel empowered to be involved with the choices that affect them.

Schedule an appointment with We Make Kids Smile today.

If your child is in need of dental care, the best place to go is a pediatric dentist, which is a dentist that specializes in children of all ages. A pediatric dentist understands how a child’s jaw and teeth develop, and will be able to explain any pediatric dental questions in a kid-friendly way. This will help your child be able to make choices affecting their dental care throughout their lives.

If you are in the Prince Fredrick or Waldorf, Maryland area and are looking for a pediatric dentist for your child, give the team at We Make Kids Smile a call today to schedule your appointment. We can’t wait to see you!

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