By Luke Harris

Children's hatred for the dental office is inherent at birth. All those sharp tools grinding away on loosening teeth and the dentist with a mask over their mouth as if making double sure that the tools don't touch his teeth. Then there's the fluoride treatment—that taste that haunts your mouth for half a day that only something sugary can take away.

As a dentist you know that screaming rising from a patient room doesn't exactly ignite confidence from the patients waiting in the lobby. Doesn't part of dental practice management include eliminating terror? What can you do? Well there will always be the screamers no matter what you do but you can change the dental perspective of a majority of your young clients. You've got to create an atmosphere of fun. If the child knows something special is on the way for good and orderly chair behavior they're more inclined to save the screaming for their siblings during the car ride home. Go beyond the Disney toothbrush, pass out a balloon or even give them (yes I'm going to say it) a piece of candy. If dental trips are fun and rewarding kids are more likely to be pleasant during their appointment.

Here are some ideas for making children love going to a dentist appointment:

• Hand out fun parting gifts such as candy, a balloon or an activity book including coloring pages and dental games such as mazes and crosswords. These are a great incentive for kids to behave.
• If room and convenience allow put a small coloring table in your waiting area. This will keep kids minds off the check up itself. Picnic style tables work great.
• Get children's books for your waiting area this is another way to alleviate pre-appointment fear.
• Install a television near the coloring table for showing children's movies about tooth cleaning and tooth decay.
• Recommend to their parent's internet games for the children to play. There are a lot of dental games available online that will promote fun and healthy teeth.

The best way to get kids brushing and flossing is to make dental care fun. This may sound tough but if you encourage parents to get creative and make a visit to your office fun you'll find that your young clients teeth are getting healthier and cleaner by the visit.

Remember that not every kid will go from screaming coyote to quiet as a mouse. You will start to see some results however as kids find your practice a fun and rewarding place to visit.