Slow approach dentistry goes further with an anxious child precisely because it does not rush. The traffic signal metaphor fits children’s dentistry perfectly.
Stop, check, continue
A traffic signal means stop, check and continue, depending on what is happening at the crossroads. A child in the dental chair experiences a similar crossroads of emotions.
Slow approach dentistry is the term coined in this practice to handle that turbulence. The child is given the signals, and therefore the control.
How the appointment is built
At the routine check-up, radiographs and clinical examination come first. Treatment needs are then discussed and explained to the parents.
Once parents understand and consent, attention turns to the child. The pivotal steps are explained directly to them.
Reasoning gives strength to understanding
Child development psychology holds that reasoning strengthens understanding. If a child grasps the why behind something, they can control the how.
So the reasons for treatment are explained in language the child can follow. Each step is described, and then the stop, check and continue signals are introduced.
Once children hold that authority over the appointment, confidence grows. As a result, they follow instructions far better.
Knowing when to stop
This approach also helps decide how much to attempt at a given visit. If a child can only cope with procedure A today, pushing on to procedure B is rarely necessary.
Pushing risks a borderline negative experience. That single experience then makes later appointments harder to manage, which costs far more time than it saves.
Why it works long term
All of this is shared with parents and child at the first appointment. Because of that openness, we gain the trust of both.
The intent behind slow approach dentistry is consistent: instil a positive dental attitude for life by creating a positive experience at every visit. It sits alongside The Calm Chair Method™ and reaction versus response.
Preparation guidance for parents is also available from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
Book an unhurried first visit in Dubai
If your child needs time, we will give them time. That is the whole point. Call +971 50 682 3462 or book an appointment with Dr. Imneet Madan in Dubai.
