The dentist's office can be an intimidating place for children. New sights, sounds, and smells can provoke anxiety, while some children come primed for fear after hearing stories of older patients' unpleasant dental visits. An experienced pediatric dentist will often strive to minimize these transferential anxieties by cautioning parents not to tell such stories, but instead to refer to the dentist and dentistry with positive language. Dentists will also often encourage parents to role-play dental experiences at home before the visit, so that the child can understand what will happen in the office.
At the visit, a skilled family dentist will use a friendly voice and approachable facial expression. Facial expression and tone of voice can help the dentist to reinforce cooperative behavior, as well as to gently communicate that a particular behavior might be dangerous. The dentist will explain the procedure using age-appropriate language, possibly with the help of a doll or a person who can serve as a model, and may offer sedation if the child is particularly distressed. Such professionals know that simply putting a child at ease can not only improve the quality of that particular visit, but also the child's overall relationship with dental care.