Your Kids Will
Love The Dentist!
Many children experience nervousness around dental visits, and approximately 23% of children globally struggle with dental anxiety that can interfere with receiving proper oral care. When dental visits trigger tears, trembling, or outright refusal, parents need a dental team trained to transform anxiety into confidence through patience, specialized techniques, and genuine understanding of childhood fears.
At ABC Children’s Dentistry in Voorhees, NJ, Dr. Jeffrey Singer and our team dedicate ourselves to creating positive dental experiences for anxious children throughout Cherry Hill, Marlton, Stratford, and surrounding communities. We combine board-certified pediatric training with a Disney-themed environment featuring animatronic parrots and arcade games, helping children feel comfortable while receiving the highest quality care. Understanding how to help your child feel comfortable during dental visits is central to everything we do.
Dental anxiety in children manifests differently than general nervousness. Some children become physically ill before appointments, while others display behavioral changes or express intense fears about specific procedures. Research from the National Institutes of Health shows children without previous dental experience face higher odds of developing anxiety, making early positive experiences crucial for long-term oral health.
Common signs include difficulty sleeping the night before appointments, complaints of stomachaches on visit days, crying or clinging when entering the dental office, or verbalizing fears about pain or unfamiliar equipment. Older children might become argumentative, refuse to open their mouths, or display physical resistance during examinations.
Watch for sweating, rapid heartbeat, trembling hands, or pale complexion when discussing dental visits. These physiological responses indicate genuine anxiety rather than simple reluctance. Some children experience nausea or dizziness in the waiting room, while others demonstrate rapid breathing or visible tension in their posture. Recognizing these signs early allows parents to seek appropriate support before anxiety intensifies.
Behavioral changes often begin days before scheduled appointments. Children might become more irritable, withdraw from usual activities, or repeatedly ask questions about what will happen during the visit. During appointments, anxious children may refuse to sit in the dental chair, cover their mouths with their hands, or attempt to leave the treatment room. Understanding these behaviors helps parents communicate effectively with dental teams about their child’s specific needs.
Previous negative experiences create the most common foundation for dental anxiety. A painful procedure, uncomfortable sensation, or perceived lack of control during treatment can establish lasting associations between dentistry and distress. However, many anxious children have never had negative dental encounters themselves.
Parental anxiety plays a significant role in childhood fears. Children whose parents exhibit dental fear show four times higher likelihood of developing similar anxiety themselves. Additionally, general anxiety or sensory sensitivities can make the dental environment overwhelming with its bright lights, unfamiliar sounds, and various textures.
Compassionate dentist for anxious children near Cherry Hill, NJ providing supportive, child-friendly dental care focused on easing fears, building confidence, and promoting healthy smiles for every young patient.
We create predictable, positive experiences through careful attention to environmental comfort and communication techniques. Our Disney-themed office immediately shifts focus from clinical settings to adventure, helping children associate dental visits with fun rather than fear.
Dr. Singer’s approach emphasizes building trust before beginning any treatment. We explain procedures using age-appropriate language, allow children to touch instruments before use, and establish clear stop signals so children maintain control throughout their visit. This tell-show-do method helps children understand exactly what to expect, reducing fear of the unknown.
For children requiring additional support, we offer sedation dentistry options including nitrous oxide and hospital-based general anesthesia with board-certified anesthesiologists. We never perform oral conscious sedation, prioritizing the safest approaches for complex procedures.
Absolutely. First dental visits establish the foundation for lifetime attitudes toward oral care. We recommend scheduling initial appointments around age one or when the first tooth emerges, focusing these visits entirely on positive experiences rather than extensive treatment.
During first appointments, we prioritize fun and familiarity over comprehensive examinations. Children explore our arcade games, meet our animatronic parrots, and gradually become comfortable with our team before anyone looks in their mouths. Dr. Singer’s goofy personality helps children laugh and relax, transforming what could be frightening into something enjoyable.
We encourage parents to avoid using dental visits as threats or bribes, as these approaches inadvertently suggest dentistry is something to fear or endure. Instead, we frame appointments as opportunities to keep smiles healthy and strong, maintaining positive associations throughout childhood.
Home preparation significantly impacts appointment success. Read books about dental visits featuring positive characters and outcomes, play dentist with stuffed animals, or watch age-appropriate videos showing children having fun at the dentist. These activities familiarize children with what to expect without creating pressure.
Avoid sharing your own dental fears or negative experiences with your children. Children absorb parental attitudes, so maintaining a calm, positive demeanor about dental care influences their comfort level. If you experience dental anxiety yourself, consider having another adult bring your child to appointments until they’ve established their own positive associations.
Schedule morning appointments when children are well-rested and less likely to feel overwhelmed. Bring a favorite toy or comfort item, and avoid scheduling visits during naptime or when your child is hungry. These practical considerations reduce general stress, allowing children to focus on the positive aspects of their visit.
Untreated dental anxiety creates a harmful cycle affecting both oral health and overall wellbeing. Children who avoid dental visits due to fear accumulate more cavities requiring more invasive treatments, which reinforces anxiety. Research published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine demonstrates anxious children require significantly more treatment time and often experience worse oral health outcomes than their non-anxious peers.
Early intervention breaks this cycle. When children receive regular preventive care in a supportive environment, they rarely need the extensive procedures that intensify fear. Our focus on preventive procedures including cleanings, sealants, and fluoride treatments keeps teeth healthy while building positive experiences.
Dr. Jeffrey Singer has dedicated his career to transforming children’s dental experiences throughout the Cherry Hill area. Recognized as a Top Dentist for Pediatric Dentistry by the Consumers Research Council of America and featured in the Guide to America’s Top Dentists, Dr. Singer combines clinical excellence with genuine joy in working with children. His goofy personality, patience, and specialized training create an environment where even the most anxious children can relax and receive excellent care.
If your child struggles with dental anxiety, don’t wait for fears to intensify. Schedule a consultation to discover how our team transforms worried children into confident patients who actually look forward to dental visits.
Dr. Jeffrey Singer brings over 20 years of specialized pediatric dental expertise to families throughout South Jersey. As the founder of ABC Children's Dentistry in Voorhees, Dr. Singer combines exceptional clinical training with a uniquely compassionate approach that transforms routine dental visits into positive experiences children actually look forward to.
With advanced training in behavior management and hospital-based sedation dentistry, Dr. Singer provides complete pediatric dental services tailored to each child's unique needs. His expertise extends to treating children with special healthcare needs, ensuring every child receives comfortable, compassionate care in the safest possible environment.