Unfortunately for MG, her teeth is just like mine – prone to decay and even at the tender age of 3+ she was already needing tooth fillings…. (my fault for also not curbing the sweets intake although it is arguable what one can do if one outsources the day time care to babysitters)..
During the first dental visit, I pre-warned the very sweet dentist not to utter or even introduce the possibility that there would be pain during the session. I took great pains (no pun intended) to try to make MG’s experience as pain – free as possible, and it was, given that she didn’t have any infected gums yet. At her first visit, the dentist gave her a couple of fillings which didn’t require any drilling. MG was given a step by step narration of what the dentist was going to do. She also got to hold a little mirror to see what was going to be done. Everything went well. MG got a little present at the end of the session. One Happy customer, one Relieved mummy!
However, in the span of one year, between that age of 3+ and 4+, something changed drastically. MG suddenly became terrified of dentists
Strange I thought, given that she hadn’t experienced any pain or trauma on the chair. During one visit, I had to drag her up the stairs to the clinic. (She refused to go up). At first I attributed it to the wrong timing (shouldn’t have brought her during nap time).
Second visit, she went up and refused to sit on the chair. I did my check- up instead.
The next time, we bribed her with the promise of multiple presents, and she went. But half way through, struggled, screamed. Sweet dentist said that she was not ready. But knowing MG she would never be ready. My worst fears had come true…
It was a pretty dire situation, as we have one very unwilling and uncooperative child, and a couple of cavities that were, in my mind, a ticking time bomb. I really needed a solution to this situation before the cavity becomes a ginormous size and infects the roots, and MG gets to be in the situation that I was in. That had to be prevented at all cost, by hook or by crook!
So my household embarked on a mission to be carried out over the next month or so, to prepare, coax and brainwash MG to go to the dentist. First step in my mission was to find another dentist – the earlier I went to was not bad (in fact she was recommended by many parents with kids and has saintly patience), but I think I needed a different environment for MG. The solution to life’s problems these days is none other than to google the internet. True enough, I came across this blog by a dentist who was operating in the vicinity. Tales of pleasant experiences of kids having their ivories fixed, gave me hope.
We also let MG watch countless reruns of “Peppa Pig goes to the dentist” and reinforced the brainwashing with “see, there is no pain” and “she is a brave girl” mantra. You know the drill… Of course, what MG didnt know is that Peppa Pig didn't have any cavities and was only going for a checkup. Peppa Pig's teeth were obviously in better condition than MG's.
Old fashioned bribery and food sanctions also followed. MG was disallowed from eating ice creams and sweets and her favourite snacks because “there is a hole in your teeth” and could only have this sanction lifted after the hole is filled (ironic, but if you have a better suggestion, please let me know). At first MG appeared to accept the food ban, so for maximum effect, we resorted to eating ice creams and chocolates in front of her, and slowly her resolve started cracking.
Finally, we made an appointment to see New Dentist, and on that day, MG went along. Thankfully there was a corner for kids for toys and colouring and that kept her distracted enough till the time to go in.
The moment of truth
So MG met New Dentist. I briefed New Dentist about MG’s prior trauma, and propensity to have a melt down. New Dentist joked with MG along the way and started the treatment.
Mummy and Daddy looked on with bated breath, looking around the clinic and trying to disguise their nervousness.
It was going well at first………. Then the meltdown came……….
Same story as before but this time, something was different. New Dentist was in control. Looked into her eyes and told her not to cry, there was no pain etc. Told her she could select something from the big box of presents after the treatment was over. It didn’t really work of course with MG. But New Dentist seemed unflustered and completed the treatment with relative calm despite the ruckus in the background. After the treatment, MG got to choose a pressie from the promised box. A little plastic ring. That really made MG’s day. It was all smiles after that!
So I present to you New Dentist – none other than Dr Jean Ong from I-smile whom I expectedly, would highly recommend if you have monster kids like mine.
I won’t heave a sigh of relief yet, MG has another appointment to go, in one month’s time. It won’t be easy, and it would still be a challenge to drag her there. But at least I know that, if and when we reach the dental clinic, even if we (MG, mummy and daddy) all freak out, there would be one calm (important) person and the job will be done I couldn’t ask for more. Thanks Dr Jean!
iSmile Dental Center
76A, Jalan SS 21/35, Damansara Utama,
47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor,
Malaysia.
77272135
www.ismile.com.my
PS. In my search for dentists, I came across these other names who are apparently very good with kids too. Do check them out if the location is more convenient for you..
Jason Cheong Dental Surgery (Bangsar, KL)
36, Jalan Telawi, Bangsar Baru 59100 KL
22879187
