A child who is scared of the dentist can usually still have check-ups and treatment, and come out of it calmer about the next visit. What helps most is a dentist who goes at the child’s pace, a parent who prepares them with calm, simple words, and a plan for the rare times when more support is needed, such as laughing gas or treatment under general anaesthesia.

At myPediaclinic in Dubai Healthcare City, our specialist pediatric dentists regularly care for anxious children. This guide covers why the fear happens, what you can do at home, what happens at the clinic, and when sedation is worth discussing.

Is it normal for a child to be scared of the dentist?

Yes. Many children feel nervous about the dentist at some point, and it is most common between about two and six years old. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry describes fear and anxiety as one of the most common reasons a child finds a dental visit hard.

The usual reasons are simple:

Everything is unfamiliar
the chair, the light, the sounds, the gloves and the mask.
A past experience
a painful tooth, a rushed visit or an emergency.
Words they have heard
“needle”, “drill”, “pull” or “it will hurt”.
Sensory sensitivity
bright light, noise, taste or being touched around the face.
Picking up on a parent’s own worry,
even when nothing is said out loud.

Fear on its own is not a sign that something is wrong with your child or their teeth. It tells the dentist how to plan the visit.

Signs your child is anxious about the dentist

Young children rarely say “I am anxious”. You are more likely to notice:

  • crying, clinging or refusing to walk into the room
  • complaining of a tummy ache or headache before the visit
  • trouble sleeping the night before
  • keeping their mouth tightly closed or turning their head away
  • asking the same questions again and again

Telling the clinic about these signs when you book helps the dentist plan a slower, gentler first visit.

How to prepare a scared child for the dentist

Book a morning appointment
when your child is rested and not hungry.
Use plain, calm words.
“The dentist will count your teeth and check they are healthy” works better than “Don’t worry, it won’t hurt”, which puts the idea of pain in their head.
Play dentist at home.
Take turns counting each other’s teeth with a toothbrush and a small mirror, then count a favourite toy’s teeth.
Read a picture book or watch a short, gentle video
about a child visiting the dentist. The story below is a good start.
Bring a comfort item,
such as a soft toy, a blanket or headphones with music they like.
Tell the clinic in advance
about past bad experiences, sensory needs, autism or ADHD, so the team can plan.
Keep your own worries out of the room.
If you are nervous about dentists yourself, tell the dentist privately rather than in front of your child.
Praise effort afterwards,
not only “being good”. Sitting in the chair for a minute is a real step for a scared child.

Try not to promise big rewards before the visit. It can signal that something unpleasant is coming.

What not to say before a dental visit

Some phrases parents use with good intentions can make fear worse:

  • “It won’t hurt.” The child now expects that it might.
  • “Be brave.” It tells them there is something to be brave about.
  • “If you don’t brush, the dentist will pull your teeth.” This turns the dentist into a threat.
  • “Needle”, “drill”, “injection” or “pull”. Leave the dentist to explain tools in child-friendly language.

A short story to read together

You can read this aloud a few days before the visit, and again on the morning of the appointment:

Today I am going to see the tooth doctor. The tooth doctor helps keep my teeth strong and shiny. I will sit in a big chair that goes up and down like a ride. There is a bright light so the doctor can see my teeth. The doctor will count my teeth with a little mirror. I can hold my toy. If I want a break, I can raise my hand. Mummy or Baba will be with me. When we finish, I can choose a sticker.

Change the details to match your child, for example who comes with them.

What happens at the clinic for an anxious child

Specialist pediatric dentists are trained to manage children’s behaviour and anxiety as part of their specialty. At myPediaclinic the first visit for a scared child is planned around them:

Time to settle in.
A first visit can simply be meeting the dentist, sitting in the chair and looking at the tools, with no treatment that day.
Tell-show-do.
The dentist tells the child what will happen, shows it on a finger or a toy, then does it, one small step at a time.
A parent nearby.
Babies and toddlers are often examined sitting on a parent’s lap.
Breaks when needed,
with a simple signal the child can use.
Nothing done without explaining it first,
to you and to your child.

Our dental team includes Dr. Mustafa Abdalla, Specialist Pediatric Dentist and Director of the Dental Department, who holds an MSc in Pediatric Dentistry and Special Needs, cares for anxious children and children with special healthcare needs, and carries out treatment under general anaesthesia in hospital; Dr. Sharifa AlHaj, Specialist Pediatric Dentist trained in behaviour management and conscious sedation; and Dr. Sara Atif Mustafa, Specialist Pediatric Dentist certified in nitrous oxide (laughing gas) sedation. Every dentist consults in English and Arabic.

For what a routine first appointment looks like, see your child’s first dental visit.

When does a scared child need laughing gas or general anaesthesia?

Most anxious children manage check-ups and simple treatment with time and the right approach. Sedation is discussed when a child needs treatment and cannot manage it awake, even with support.

Laughing gas (nitrous oxide)
is breathed through a small nose mask at the clinic. Your child stays awake and can talk, but feels relaxed, and the effect wears off within minutes of the mask coming off. It suits children who are nervous but able to sit with support. Read more in our guide to laughing gas for children.
General anaesthesia
means your child is fully asleep while all the treatment is done in one session, in a hospital setting. It is considered for very young children who need a lot of treatment, children with severe anxiety, and some children with special healthcare needs. See reasons a child may need general anaesthesia.

The dentist explains which option suits your child, and why, at the consultation. Details are on our page for laughing gas sedation and general anaesthesia.

Autism, ADHD and sensory needs

For autistic children and children with sensory or attention differences, the same principles apply with more planning: a quieter time of day, fewer people in the room, sunglasses for the light, the same steps in the same order, and sometimes several short visits to get used to the clinic. Our page on dental care for anxious and autistic children and our guide to dental care for children with autism go into more detail.

When to see a dentist even if your child is scared

Fear is a reason to plan the visit carefully, not a reason to delay it. Book a visit soon if your child has:

  • toothache, or pain when eating or drinking
  • swelling of the gum or face
  • a broken, chipped or knocked-out tooth
  • dark spots or holes in the teeth
  • bleeding gums that do not settle with brushing

For an injury or a knocked-out tooth, see our dental emergency page and call the clinic straight away.

The NHS also has practical advice on looking after children’s teeth.

Frequently asked questions

Can I stay with my child during the dental visit?

Yes. Parents usually stay with their child, and babies and toddlers are often checked sitting on a parent’s lap. If your child is older and settles better without you, the dentist may suggest it, but it is always discussed with you first.

Can the first visit be just to meet the dentist?

Yes. For a very scared child, a first visit that is only about meeting the dentist, sitting in the chair and seeing the tools can make the next visit much easier. Tell the clinic when you book.

Will the dentist force my child to have treatment?

No. If a child is too upset to continue, the dentist stops, talks it through with you and plans the next step, which may be another short visit, laughing gas or, when a lot of treatment is needed, general anaesthesia.

At what age should my child first see a dentist?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry advises a first visit by the first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth. Children who start early and come regularly are often less anxious later.

Is laughing gas safe for children?

Laughing gas has been used in children’s dentistry for many years. It is given by a trained dentist, your child stays awake, and it wears off quickly. The dentist checks your child’s health history first to make sure it is suitable.

Which dentists at myPediaclinic see anxious children?

All our specialist pediatric dentists see anxious children. Dr. Mustafa Abdalla has an MSc in Pediatric Dentistry and Special Needs and carries out treatment under general anaesthesia in hospital, Dr. Sharifa AlHaj is trained in behaviour management and conscious sedation, and Dr. Sara Atif Mustafa is certified in laughing gas sedation.