Dentist Social Story

Heidi had her very first dentist appointment on Wednesday morning. I was very nervous about it. We’d been the week before to watch her sister visit the dentist which had gone well. I was determined that the visit on Wednesday would be a success even if all we achieved was getting Heidi to sit on the dentists chair for a few seconds. Heidi is forever sticking things in her mouth to chew on and I was worried about her teeth and her oral defensiveness. So on Tuesday afternoon I threw together this social story about going to the dentist (attached is a .pdf with images):

Tomorrow Heidi is going to the dentist.

Heidi can lie down in the dentists chair which goes up and down. Lying down in the dentist chair is lots of fun

The dentist will turn a bright light on to help look inside Heidi’s mouth. Heidi can wear sunglasses to stop the bright light hurting her eyes. Wearing sunglasses is lots of fun too.

Heidi will get to wear a special dentist bib while she is lying down in the dentist chair. Wearing the special dentist bib is fun too.

The dentist will look inside Heidis mouth with a mirror. The dentist might poke and touch Heidis teeth. This could tickle. Tickles are fun too.

Heidi will need to keep her mouth wide open and hold her head still while the dentist is looking in her mouth. Heidi can say “Ahhhh” like when we brush our teeth at home. Saying “Ahhhh” is fun.

Heidi can hold Mummys hand or squeeze her squeezy cheese toy when she is lying in the dentist chair. Heidi can cuddle blankie too. Mummy likes holding Heidis hand, it is fun.

If Heidi does not like the tickles in her mouth from the dentist then Heidi can hold up her hand to say stop.

After the dentist is finished Heidi will get a new toothbrush.

Going to the dentist is fun.

Then I got the phone call about my grandma and flew off interstate leaving my poor husband to cope with Heidis very first visit to the dentist.

Amazingly the whole experience went really well according to hubby.  Talking to Heidi about it when I got back she tells me about the tickles and her new toothbrush.   So it would seem the social story worked.  We will be going back in 3 months – quarterly visits should help reduce fears and make visits to the dentist just one of those things we do.  Both girls have good teeth which is a massive relief.

We are off to see the podiatrist on Monday (tomorrow) and I have no idea what is going to happen at our visit so is going to be all guesswork trying to prepare Heidi.

dentist-social-story