Regular visits to the dentist

Caring for a child's health and maintaining personal hygiene is an essential part of childcare. An important aspect of this care is ensuring good oral health and hygiene.
From the moment the first tooth appears, maintaining oral hygiene is essential. A crucial and unavoidable part of oral health care is regular visits to the dentist. Since visiting the dentist can be a source of stress and fear for many children and adults, it is crucial to familiarize children with dental visits before any dental problems arise.

Dentists in Croatia belong to primary health care and their services for children are mostly covered by the Croatian Health Insurance Fund. You can choose a dentist for your child in the same way as you would select other primary healthcare providers, regardless of your current status in Croatia (whether you are an asylum seeker, have been granted asylum, or enjoy subsidiary protection). 

Children’s teeth can start decaying early because baby teeth have less mineralized enamel, making them more susceptible to bacteria. It is crucial to keep milk teeth healthy so that each new tooth, first baby and then permanent, emerges into a clean oral environment free of decay. If cavities do appear, the affected tooth should be treated. A decayed baby tooth can cause pain just like a permanent one, and it plays a crucial role in preserving space for the permanent tooth that will replace it. 

When should a child first visit the dentist

A child's first dental visit is recommended before the age of two, ideally when their teeth are still healthy. After that, regular check-ups should be scheduled in consultation with the dentist. 
During these visits, the child will get to know the dentist and the dental equipment in the clinic. Routine visits without procedures or treatments help reduce fear and make future dental visits easier. 
It is essential for parents to inform the dentist in advance that they are bringing the child for a familiarization visit.

How to prepare your child for a dental visit

Let your child know about the upcoming visit and explain what to expect in a simple, reassuring way. If they are old enough to express their thoughts and feelings, give them space to do so without judgment—it is normal for children to feel a bit nervous or anxious.
Reading picture books or looking at illustrations about visiting the dentist can help make the experience feel familiar. You can also turn it into a game by role-playing as a dentist, making the visit seem fun and exciting.

If you have your own fears about dental visits, be honest but reassuring. Let your child know that while check-ups and treatments might not be your favourite thing, they are important for staying healthy. Avoid sharing any negative or painful past experiences, as this could make them more anxious.

A great way to ease their worries is to take them along when you go for a check-up or minor procedure (with the dentist’s approval). Seeing you go through the process calmly can help them feel more comfortable. Over time, they may even be eager to sit in the dentist’s chair and show off their teeth! 
How to prepare your child for a dental procedure
If your child's first visit is due to a cavity that needs treatment, they should be prepared for the possibility of discomfort.
Do not tell your child that the procedure will be painless or "nothing to worry about."  Instead, provide realistic expectations in a calm and reassuring way. Children find comfort in predictability, so using simple, reassuring language to explain what will happen during the procedure, where you will be while they are in the dentist’s office, and what they will do afterward can help ease their anxiety.

Even if you don’t typically use rewards for good behaviour, you might want to offer a small incentive for their cooperation with the dentist during the treatment.

Important to remember!

Regular preventive check-ups, where the child becomes familiar with the dentist, clinic, and equipment, will help them feel comfortable and build trust. This will make future treatments easier if they become necessary.

If you are staying in an asylum seeker reception centre, the easiest way to arrange a preventive dental visit for your child is with the help of the medical team responsible for the residents' healthcare.