Our nurse Emma helping children in Cambodia.

At SpaDental Chard, we know how important it is for children to see a dentist regularly. That’s why we’re helping children here in Somerset to have appointments with the dentist. Meanwhile, our nurse Emma Turner has taken two weeks away. She’s helping children in Cambodia.

Children need to trust us.

We believe it’s really important to build up a relationship of trust and confidence with children. In the video Emma sent back from Cambodia you can see how relaxed she is. The children love her hair!

In Emma’s case, her hair distracts the children from why they’re seeing her. So making a personal connection is an important part of building up a relationship of care and trust.

Building trust is the main reason children need to see a dentist as early as possible. We recommend that babies come in as soon as their first teeth come through, and certainly we’d like to see them before they turn one. After that, children should see a dentist every six months, or whenever the dentist recommends.

• Tooth care answers for children of all ages
• Dental care tips for babies and children
• Shocking statistics about children’s teeth

Five reasons why children need to see a dentist.

1. Too often a child’s first visit to the dentist is because of an accident. Children can fall, or get hit in the mouth. It can be painful, but more than anything it’s frightening. A mixture of blood, tears and saliva is a scary combination for any child. At least if they are familiar with a clinical environment, an emergency visit will be less traumatic.
2. Too much sugar is wrecking children’s teeth. The national statistics on tooth decay are alarming, which is why the government is promoting better oral hygiene routines for children. Campaigns like Starting Well promote the terrific opportunity children have with access to NHS dental care.
3. Some children have developmental concerns that a dentist can spot early. It may be to do with missing teeth, teeth that are misaligned and not erupting as they should, or to do with the way their jaw works. A dentist can help to put a long-term care plan in place.
4. Parents may struggle to juggle all the challenges of child care at home. Getting children to brush teeth regularly, and for long enough, can be a battle. The help and support of a dentist can help parents to keep on top of basic daily routines. Even something as simple as a wall chart can help.
5. Children deserve to have healthy teeth. There are great dental care products on the market, and a dentist will give children preventive care tips to help them have great teeth for life. In the long run, this will save them from pain and unnecessary dental expenses as adults.

What is Dentaid?

Emma is spending two weeks as one of the Dentaid team, working alongside Cambodian dentists to promote oral health. We’re looking forward to hearing more about her experiences helping children when she gets back next week.

SpaDental Chard is currently registering babies, children and teenagers as new NHS patients.

• Contact us to learn more.
• SpaDental Chard is supporting Dental Check by 1

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