Help child afraid of needles at dentist today?

July 26, 2015 10:52 AM

I am about to take my little girl to the dentist for an unexpected issue that may require an injection. She has a fear of needles. How do I help her through this in the best way?

Her fear of needles goes well beyond the usual "kid hates shots" deal, stemming from a bad experience years ago. She's 9 years old. I really don't want to additionally traumatize her.

posted by Eolienne to Human Relations (8 answers total)

Best answer: Ask about sedation dentistry. Either a pre-procedure pill to induce relaxation, laughing gas, or full on anesthesia.

In the long-term, you'll want to seek some counseling for the trauma she has suffered in hopes of getting her past this. But if it's an emergency today, just ask them if they can knock her out so that she doesn't have to actually be aware of what's happening.
posted by decathecting at 10:58 AM on July 26, 2015 [1 favorite]

Best answer: One of mine was like that. At the dentist I had her close her eyes for the Novacaine shot so she never saw the needle (and asked DDS beforehand, on the side, not to bring it out til kid's eyes were shut). In a few years when she was able to will herself to stay calm for shots ( into her teens) she probably didn't have to close her eyes like that anymore, but did anyway, on her own. Seeing the needle was the worst part.
posted by flourpot at 12:27 PM on July 26, 2015

Best answer: My daughter's dentist gave her medication to take the night before and then an hour before her appointment. It was the only way. Whatever you do, don't tell her about the shot ahead of time. That would make it 100% worse.
posted by myselfasme at 12:30 PM on July 26, 2015

Best answer: They have a gel they put on the gums, then your daughter will feel a soft jab. Best to just hold her head and hand than sedate her since it will be over so soon.
posted by parmanparman at 12:40 PM on July 26, 2015

Response by poster: Thanks so much, everybody. I went in feeling confident about what I could ask for, and it helps to have tips about how to deal with these things in the future. She didn't need the shot after all, thankfully. I'll look into some counseling to help her out with this in the future.
posted by Eolienne at 12:41 PM on July 26, 2015

Best answer: I see this is resolved but: hi, I am an adult version of your daughter. When I was little, I panicked and fought the nurses when it was time for shots. I had to have hypnotherapy as a condition of hospital admission for elective surgery when I was twelve. What worked for me: the hypnotherapy helped a lot, but nitrous oxide at the dentist's and valium before outpatient surgery have also been great for me as an adult.

Also, please don't scold her or allow anyone to mock her for panicking (not that I think you would, but it happened to me). She can't help it and is probably humiliated when she can't behave like a big girl and have a shot. I always was.

And last, but not least, please warn the nurses before shots. I stopped fighting but I have been known to faint during blood draws, and they're always very helpful and grateful for the notice when I tell them about my history.
posted by immlass at 6:37 PM on July 26, 2015 [2 favorites]

Best answer: I was definitely that kid and it persisted into adulthood until I got a prescription for benzos to take before appointments (lorazepam). Which I don't really need to take anymore but the comfort of having them and knowing that I have a fall back plan in case I flip makes it completely bearable. I don't know how you feel about medicating your child, but that's what worked for me.
posted by mermily at 10:23 AM on July 27, 2015

Best answer: Whatever you do, don't tell her about the shot ahead of time.

This might help today, but in the long run it can lead to more distrust and fear.
posted by yohko at 10:29 AM on July 27, 2015