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Bringing a child

Parents are usually more frightened than the child is, and what they are frightened of is specific: that their child will be held down. So here is the answer to that, first, before anything about teeth.

  • A first visit for a child costs nothing and involves no treatment. They look at the room, sit in the chair if they want to, and go home.
  • Nothing is done to a child who is crying. We stop and rebook. Second visits are usually calmer; third visits usually work.
  • A parent stays in the room. Always, at any age, no exceptions, no discussion.
Dr. Pim crouched down beside the dental chair so her face is level with a child sitting up on it, the two of them talking

Dr. Pimchanok "Pim" Sutham

Dentist, children

What Dr. Pim never says

  • “Don’t cry.”
  • “Be brave.”
  • “It doesn’t hurt.”

What she says instead

“It’s alright — most people are frightened the first time.”

A child in school uniform sitting up on the dental chair with their feet dangling, Dr. Pim beside them at eye level and a parent seated in the room

How it usually goes

  1. 1

    First visit: they come in crying, look at the room from the doorway, and go home.

  2. 2

    Second visit: they sit in the chair on their own.

  3. 3

    Third visit: they start telling her what happened at school.

The corner by the window

Not a play area, and not a distraction. Somewhere to be, for as long as it takes, without anybody suggesting it is time.

  • Wooden blocks
  • Picture books
  • Coloured pencils
  • Stickers
A low corner of the waiting area with wooden blocks, picture books, coloured pencils and a sheet of stickers, with nobody in frame

Children's prices

The first visit is free because it is not a treatment. It is a look at the room.

Book a first visit