A child’s past dental experience arrives at the appointment before they do. So do stories from siblings, parents, classmates and cartoons.
False evidence appearing real
In neurolinguistic programming, fear is described as False Evidence Appearing Real. Sometimes fear of the unknown, or of a negatively experienced situation, runs very deep.
It can then be triggered irrationally, in situations that carry no real threat at all.
Where the backlog is stored
Research indicates that gut bacteria can store information and experience. That includes our own experiences and those transferred from the people closest to us.
Those close contacts are usually parents, peers and wider society. When such information stays long enough and keeps being reinforced, it becomes an integral part of the gut. Over time it transforms into our psyche.
Gut instinct is intelligent, not infallible
Gut instinct can broadly be called the psyche. It is an intuitive and intelligent tool in human psychology.
It offers some indication of what is coming. However, it cannot define that outcome with complete accuracy.
The good news
Gut bacteria keep absorbing new information all the time. Consequently positive experiences build a positive psyche, which helps a person cope better under stress.
The same applies to dental appointments. Where a child’s past dental experience was negative, continual reinforcement with new information and new inputs helps replace the earlier impression.
Creating the alter experience
That replacement is what creates an alter experience. The alter experience changes intuitive responses, and therefore begins modifying actual behaviour.
Conscious input of new information is the key, and it should be followed diligently. The more positive input a child receives, the more cooperation follows, in the dental chair and in life generally.
Practically, this is why slow approach dentistry and behaviour modification matter so much at a first visit. Preparation guidance for families is also published by the NHS advice on children’s teeth.
Reset a bad dental memory in Dubai
If a previous appointment went badly, tell us exactly what happened and we will work around it. Call +971 50 682 3462 or book an appointment with Dr. Imneet Madan in Dubai.
