Pediatric dentists focus on the care of the child, not just the child's teeth. Pediatric dentists can help to ease a child's anxiety about dental treatment.

Managing fears is extremely important because it can shape your child's views about dental visits for a lifetime.

Managing anxiety will be different for each child. Older children may not necessarily be less nervous or afraid than younger ones. Your dentist should work with your child to make the experience as pleasant as possible.

Some coping techniques include:

• Reducing the parent's anxiety — Much of a child's fear comes from his or her family. When you reduce anxiety in the parent, you reduce anxiety in the child.
• "Tell, show, do." — The dentist tells a child what is about to happen. Then he or she shows the child the instruments and how they will be used. Then the procedure is done.
• Speaking calmly — The dentist uses a soothing voice to calm the child.
• Modeling — This is a process where the child is allowed to observe an older sibling receiving non-traumatic and successful dental treatment. The child will model his or her behavior after the behavior of the sibling.
• Sedation — Whenever possible, pediatric dentists manage anxiety without medicine. However, some children may need some type of sedation.

Some very young children and children with very extensive disease may be unable to accept treatment in the dental office. Therefore, these children may need to have their dental treatment performed under general anesthesia in a hospital.