Show Me Your Smile: A Visit to the Dentist (Dora the
Explorer) A Great
Book For Taking The Fear Out Of Going To The Dentist, May 10, 2005
By Janet Boyer "JanetBoyer.com" (Pennsylvania)
My son hasn't visited a dentist yet, and he was quite afraid of the
prospect. Thanks to Show Me Your Smile!: A Visit to the Dentist, he's not
nearly as anxious.
This book follows Dora and her Mom as she goes to the dentist to get her
teeth cleaned. The beginning of the story shows Dora in a waiting room
playing among other children as they wait for the dental assistant to call
their name.
Once inside the dentist's room, Dora points out the chair and the
light--explaining the purpose they serve. Dora then explains the process
of taking an X-ray...and how the assistant will take a picture of her
teeth to make sure they're healthy. She even describes how the assistant
covers her with a heavy apron.
Once the X-ray is taken, Dora points out some pictures on the wall...and
on the next page are black-and-white X-rays corresponding to the pictures
(so children can match the X-ray with the character). The dentist comes in
the room, and Dora explains the different instruments on the tray (such as
the mirror, floss, dental pick, and so on.). Dora explains how the dentist
cleaned her teeth and relates the hygienic advice given ("brush after
breakfast and again before bedtime").
The dentist finds a cavity on the X-ray, and shows Dora the hole in the
tooth (my son balks at this part). Dora explains that there's a "tool"
that gets her tooth ready for the filling...and that it makes a "whirring"
sound. (The "tool" is, of course, a drill. And not wanting to scare the
child, they don't explain that they may have to get a shot to numb
it...and that drilling sometimes causes discomfort.)
Dora receives a new toothbrush and a sticker--and even Swiper the fox
makes an appearance (his appointment is after Dora's).
Understandably, a children's book can't get into the gory details of a
visit to the dentist...but at least a book like Show Me Your Smile! will
help make the first visit seem less threatening. This book also shows the
importance of dental hygiene and why it's important for a child to brush
and floss their teeth. nsert
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