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5 Preschooler Books Perfect for Pediatric Dentists

Written by Amy Carbone | Dec 6, 2021 2:00:00 PM

You may notice some of the younger patients coming into your practice are nervous.  They may be apprehensive about noises they’re hearing, potential pain, or simply meeting with strangers. 

It’s often harder to explain what happens in a dental appointment to a child than it is to an adult. Fortunately, there are a number of great children’s books about dentistry that can make the visit a more pleasurable experience for your younger patients. Here are five of the best children’s books to keep in your waiting room.

1. Why We Go to the Dentist by Rosalyn Clark

If it's their first exam, children might not understand why they’re at the dentist’s office or what exactly is going to happen, which is where Why We Go to the Dentist by Rosalyn Clark helps. 

Best for children ages 4 to 7, this book has age-appropriate language, pictures similar to the situations they’ll be in, and answers to questions they’re likely to have. 

Since parents are normally with children for their appointments, they can read this with them to help their children understand why they're at the dentist, answer any other questions they have, and help put their minds at ease for the examination.

2. I Lost My Tooth! by Mo Willems

Mo Willems is an award-winning children's author who has written and illustrated bestsellers for years. By combining relatability, education, and humor, Willems creates books that are great choices for early readers. 

I Lost My Tooth focuses on this major event children experience, which can be unsettling if they’re not sure why they’re losing their baby teeth. 

Through lighthearted, quirky fun, along with plenty of helpful information, parents can use this book to explain losing teeth and other oral health information to their kids.

3. What if You Had Animal Teeth? by Sandra Markle

Sandra Markle is a children's author who wrote the "What if You Had..." series of books, which are all designed to take a fun and engaging look at strange concepts that keep children captivated. 

This book features a cheerful art style with a variety of animals to make it educational. Since it covers a dozen animals, children get to look at the teeth of animals they may not know about, which can capture their attention and keep them engaged before their appointment. 

This particular book is focused on exploring the differences between animal teeth and human teeth. It allows children to look at different shapes of teeth and explain that each animal is different, so their teeth need to be different as well. 

This is a great way to segway into a conversation about why their teeth are the way they are, why they lose their baby teeth, and why they have to come to the dentist. 

4. It Looked Like Spilt Milk by Charles Shaw

This children’s book was published in 1988, but it has endured the test of time. It’s one of the few books that will be enjoyed by your young patients and recognized by their parents. 

It Looked Like Spilt Milk showcases a white shape against a bright blue background and asks readers to determine whether it’s an actual shape — or just spilled milk! It offers abstract concepts and imaginative graphics to engage the readers, both young and old. 

This book provides an activity to keep your young patients engaged while they’re waiting for their appointment to begin. 

5. Pony Brushes His Teeth by Michael Dahl

Michael Dahl is a children’s author with a passion for helping them learn more about routine tasks, including brushing their teeth. Oriol Vidal illustrated this book and is well-known for creating page-turning imaginative and fun designs.

Pony Brushes His Teeth gives children the knowledge they need to brush their own teeth. Since this story is fun and educational, it’s likely to get them excited about brushing their teeth. 

Catering to Your Patients & Growing Your Patient List

When you’re looking for patients, implementing proven strategies to grow and create a patient list can help you build a successful practice by teaching you how to develop and target your ideal patient type, build your digital presence, earn patient referrals, and more. 

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