There are many dental clinics that profess to be ‘family-friendly’, a term that seems to be widely used as dental clinics do their best to attract young families to their venue. In this short blog, we take a look at the important aspects that really do make a dentist ‘family-friendly’.
Professional training
The award-winning dental clinic in Townsville is the definition of family-friendly and with regular training sessions, all stakeholders (receptionists, hygienists, and dental assistants) learn new techniques and features that promote family friendliness. Children can become anxious when visiting a dental clinic and it is important to make them feel welcome and at home.
Family-friendly environment
The waiting room would be full of books and videos for children to watch, along with a range of learning resources with a dental message. A welcoming ambiance that is child-oriented makes kids feel at ease, while the dentist is well-versed in calming young children when they prepare for treatment.
Online booking
It should be very easy to make an initial appointment at a new dental clinic, thanks to their state-of-the-art online booking system, plus you can find out about the clinic and their family-friendly practices. Kids, for example, get special stars on their appointment cards, which is a great morale booster.
Education
Aside from treating patients, a family-friendly dental clinic aims to educate children about good oral hygiene; in one corner of the waiting area is a flat-screen TV that shows cartoons to teach children about the need for oral hygiene and it is done is such a way that the kids have fun at the same time.
Service with a smile
All staff are welcoming and know how to get along with kids of all ages and this has a calming effect on even the most anxious child. They are able to reassure children that the treatment will not hurt, which is important. It should be a delightful experience when you visit the dentist, rather than a traumatic event.
To summarise, registering at a family-friendly dentist will ensure that your kids are well-educated and looking forward to their next appointment. You can make a day of it when it is time for oral check-ups and the clinic is open at weekends.
