Your Kids Will
Love The Dentist!
When your child experiences fear at the mere mention of a dental visit, finding the right dentist becomes crucial for their long-term oral health. Dental anxiety in children is more than temporary nervousness — it can lead to avoidance behaviors that result in untreated cavities, missed preventive care, and negative associations with dental health that persist into adulthood.
At ABC Children’s Dentistry, Dr. Jeffrey Singer and our team understand how these fears develop and how we can make a difference in providing a relaxing and positive experience. We’ve created a Disney-themed practice environment in Voorhees where anxious children feel comfortable, safe, and even excited about their dental visits. Our entire approach focuses on building trust through gentle care, patience, and understanding.
Dental fear in children stems from various sources, and recognizing these triggers helps us address them effectively. Some children inherit anxiety tendencies from parents who experienced negative dental experiences themselves. Others develop fears after hearing stories from siblings or friends about uncomfortable procedures.
Sensory sensitivities play a significant role as well. The bright lights, unfamiliar sounds of dental equipment, and new textures in their mouths can overwhelm children who process sensory information differently. Previous negative healthcare experiences—even non-dental ones—can create associations that transfer to dental settings.
We’ve designed our practice specifically to ease childhood fears from the moment families walk through our doors. Our Disney-themed office features animatronic parrots and arcade games that transform the dental experience into something fun rather than frightening. Dr. Singer’s goofy, engaging personality helps children relax as he makes funny voices and jokes throughout appointments.
This warm, playful atmosphere sends an important message to anxious children: dental visits don’t have to be scary. We allow extra time for anxious patients to explore the office, meet our team, and become familiar with the environment before any treatment begins.
We explain every procedure in age-appropriate language, showing children the tools we’ll use and demonstrating how they work. This transparency removes the fear of the unknown that often triggers anxiety. Children receive control over the pace of their appointment through agreed-upon signals they can use if they need a break.
Our team also involves parents in the process, coaching them on supportive language and behaviors that reinforce positive associations. We recognize that family dynamics play a crucial role in how children perceive dental care.
Compassionate dentist for anxious children near Stratford, NJ providing supportive, child-friendly dental care focused on easing fears, building confidence, and promoting healthy smiles for every young patient.
For children with significant dental anxiety or those requiring extensive procedures, we offer sedation dentistry options. We exclusively provide general anesthesia in a hospital environment with board-certified anesthesiologists, ensuring the highest safety standards for your child.
This approach allows anxious children to receive comprehensive dental care without trauma or distress. The hospital setting provides advanced monitoring equipment and emergency protocols that give parents peace of mind. Following treatment, children often report no memory of the procedure, helping prevent negative associations that could worsen future anxiety.
Parents can take several steps to help prepare anxious children for dental appointments. Schedule morning appointments when children typically have more emotional regulation capacity and less time to build anticipatory anxiety. Read children’s books about positive dental experiences in the days leading up to the visit.
Avoid using words like “pain,” “hurt,” or “shot” when discussing the appointment. Instead, use neutral language like “cleaning your teeth” or “counting your teeth.” We also recommend against using dental visits as threats or punishment, as this creates negative associations.
Bring comfort items like a favorite stuffed animal or blanket. Some children benefit from listening to music or audiobooks during their appointment. We welcome these coping strategies and encourage families to share what works best for their child.
Children who have positive early dental experiences develop healthier attitudes toward oral care throughout their lives. These early visits establish dental care as a normal, non-threatening part of health maintenance rather than something to fear. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children visit a pediatric dentist by their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth erupting.
Starting dental care early — before problems develop — means children associate the dentist with pleasant cleaning appointments and friendly interactions rather than emergency visits for painful cavities. This foundation influences their willingness to seek dental care as adults.
We also focus on preventive care during these early visits, including dental sealants and fluoride treatments that protect developing teeth. When children see how these simple, painless procedures keep their teeth healthy, they understand the value of regular dental visits.
Children with sensory processing differences, autism spectrum disorders, or other special needs often experience heightened dental anxiety. Our team has experience working with children who require modified approaches, including shorter appointment times, reduced sensory stimulation, and visual schedules that help them understand what to expect.
We partner with parents to develop individualized strategies that respect each child’s unique needs. Some children benefit from desensitization visits where they simply tour the office and sit in the dental chair without any treatment. These gradual exposures build familiarity and reduce anxiety over time.
Dr. Jeffrey Singer has been creating extraordinary dental experiences for children throughout the Stratford area and surrounding communities since 2004. Voted Top Dentist for Pediatric Dentistry by the Consumers Research Council of America and featured in “Guide to America’s Top Dentists,” Dr. Singer combines exceptional clinical expertise with a uniquely engaging environment where anxious children feel comfortable and safe.
We participate with numerous PPO dental insurance plans, making quality pediatric dental care accessible for families throughout southern New Jersey. Our philosophy recognizes pediatric dentists can have a profound effect on young lives — as the first dentist a child encounters, we either ease their fears or enhance them. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and discover how we can help your anxious child feel comfortable at the dentist.
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.