Darby Goes to the Dentist

Hi! My name is Darby. Here I am with my mom. I just went to the dentist. I was a little worried at first. But it turned out fine! Here's what happened.

My mom told me it was time for me to visit the dentist.

She said, "Dentists check your teeth to make sure they're healthy and strong. I go to the dentist 2 times a year. Now it's time for a dentist to check your teeth too, Darby."

That made me feel pretty grown up.

At the dentist's office, we waited in a big room with couches and chairs and fish. Other kids I didn't know were waiting there too.

Then a lady came into the room and said, "Darby, are you ready?"

She took me back to a small room where there were lots of shiny tools and a sink with water. I got to sit in a big chair with a bright light over it. The chair went up and down. And the back of the chair moved so that I could sit up or lie down.

The lady told me her name was Kathy. She put a little paper cover over her nose and mouth so we wouldn't get germs on each other. Then she asked me to open my mouth.

She said, "I just need to take some pictures of your teeth, count them, and then give them a little scrub. You can pick your toothpaste flavor."

I picked bubble gum.

I opened my mouth really big.

Kathy said, "If your mouth gets tired Darby, just raise your hand and we'll take a break."

The toothbrush didn't look like the one I use at home. And it made some strange noises. But it didn't hurt. Now my teeth are super shiny!

Dr. Elliott, the dentist, came in next.

"Hi, Darby. Nice to meet you," she said.

Then she asked me to open my mouth again so she could look in it with a tiny mirror.

She said, "You're doing a great job brushing."

That made me feel proud, because brushing my teeth isn't always my favorite thing to do. But I try hard to do a good job anyway.

Then Dr. Elliott said, "You don't like candy, do you, Darby?"

Of course I like candy! Who doesn't? I was afraid she was going to tell me that candy is against the rules when you start going to the dentist. But then she smiled and said she likes candy too.

She told me that a little sweet treat now and then is okay, as long as I remember to brush my teeth every morning and every night with a grown-up's help.

And that was it. I got a new toothbrush. And a prize! Then it was time to go home.

Now that Darby knows what it's like to visit the dentist, she won't be worried when it's time to go back again. And now that you know what it's like too, you'll be ready when it's your turn!