Tips for Creating a Dental Practice Kids Will Actually Enjoy

Designing a child-friendly dental practice will guarantee your young patients feel welcome and comfortable. The right environment can help calm anxious kids and excite them about coming back.

There are plenty of ways dentists can go about improving in this area, from adding specialized services to modifying the office layout itself. Here are 5 key ways you can create a child-friendly atmosphere in your practice.

1. Playful and Engaging Decor

Make a good first impression from the moment your patients step into your office by improving decor. Making your dental practice more engaging and welcoming for children can be as simple as adding some themed elements to make visiting the dentist more fun.

For example, jungle and underwater themes are common choices. But no matter the theme, you can transform your practice with some bright, energetic paint choices and wall art. There are many premade options available (both online and in-store) to facilitate the process.

Interactive elements are also great additions, taking a young patient’s mind off of any anxiety while waiting. Make sure to cover all of the various age groups that your practice handles. A small play corner with toys and books is a simple but effective solution. Chalkboards, magnetic walls, and other wall-mounted toys are also highly engaging, and chances are you can find something that fits into your theme.

2. Comfortable and Accessible Furniture

You also want your practice to be comfortable for children and parents alike. Including child-sized furniture can ensure your young patients’ comfort and safety while helping them feel welcome. 

You can choose from many versatile seating options, ranging from tiny chairs to bean bags to small couches. Lowering the welcome desk to allow children to interact with your team upon arrival can also improve the experience.

3. Specialized Pediatric Services

Of course, building a child-friendly dental practice also entails offering the range of specialized services necessary to provide effective care. While referral to specialists isn’t always avoidable, providing as many services under one roof as possible offers a smoother and more comfortable experience for children and parents alike.

Sedation dentistry is a great example. Dental anxiety is a pressing issue for patients of all ages but can be particularly challenging for children. So offering additional sedation dentistry options, such as nitrous oxide or oral sedation, can help children with severe dental anxiety or other special needs receive care in comfort.

Early orthodontic evaluations are another essential element of a child-friendly dental practice. With the proper knowledge and experience, you can identify and treat potential issues before they become more extensive. This way your patients can enjoy better outcomes and avoid the need for more invasive treatment later on.

4. Technology for Distraction and Education

Modern technology opens up numerous ways to improve a child’s patient experience. Even children who don’t face serious dental anxiety can still feel uneasy during treatment. Installing wall or ceiling-mounted screens so they can view cartoons or other media can help take their minds off of the process.

Technology also plays a key role in patient education. You can make use of tablets loaded with a variety of videos or interactive applications to explain complex topics to children—and parents—with convenient visual aids.

Providing tablets with appropriate resources in the reception area can offer both something to do while waiting and impart important information. For specific treatments, you can even use tablets to walk the patient through the process from start to finish to help assuage any fear.

5. Friendly and Reassuring Team

Of course, interactions with your team make up a considerable part of the patient experience. Training your team to handle pediatric patients will help children feel more comfortable. Showing patience and understanding, along with using child-friendly language, is important in all situations.

Keep in mind that there are specific considerations when communicating with pediatric patients. For instance, you need to understand their perspective to provide practical guidance and explain the necessity of treatments like braces.

You’ll also want parents to feel reassured by your team. Make sure to display team certifications to instill a sense of trust and professionalism, and try to do so in a fun way that fits your office theme to keep your practice child-friendly.

Elevate your dental practice today.

Taking some extra time to consider the patient experience at all levels will help you make major improvements in your practice. Providing specialized services like early orthodontic evaluations and treatment is a prime example of how to effectively build a more child-friendly dental practice. The American Orthodontic Society offers a wide range of opportunities to develop your skills and expand your practice along the way. Browse our course catalog to get started today.