Going to the Dentist

A calm, page-by-page story for checkup day.

Ages 3–8 · The night before or morning of a dental visit.

Page 1 of 6

Today we go to the dentist

A dentist is a helper who looks at teeth with a tiny mirror and a light. They check how teeth are growing and help keep them strong. We walk to the door together, and we stay together.

Point together

The door we walk through as a pair.
Big Wonderer stays close the whole visit.
The helper inside looks at teeth, not at you being in trouble.

Page 2 of 6

We wait together

First we sit in a quiet waiting room. You can hold a hand, look at a book, or take slow breaths. Waiting is part of the visit — the chair comes after we sit together.

Point together

Two chairs side by side.
A book you can hold while we wait.
Waiting is a step, not a surprise.

Page 3 of 6

The chair goes up

You sit in a special chair. It can go up, down, and lean back so the helper can see. When the chair moves, I stay right here beside you.

Point together

The chair can lean.
The up-and-down cue on the base.
Your grownup stands beside the chair.

Page 4 of 6

A bright light and a tiny mirror

The dentist uses a bright light and a tiny round mirror to look at each tooth. You can open your mouth like a sleepy lion, then rest. The light is so they can see, not so they can surprise you.

Point together

The small round mirror.
The light aimed at teeth.
Open, look, then rest.

Page 5 of 6

A soft clean

A small brush may tickle your teeth. Water may spray a little. If it feels too much, raise your hand — we pause. Tickle is a feeling, not a trick.

Point together

The small cleaning brush.
Raised hand means pause.
Tickle is a feeling, not a surprise.

Page 6 of 6

All done

When the visit is finished, we say thank you and walk out together. You stayed and tried. Your teeth got care today. Brave means staying and trying, not liking every part.

Point together

We walk out together.
The same door we came in.
Brave means staying and trying.

Keep these pages for you

Grownup pages

Parent script

Tonight we're going to read about the dentist so your body knows what to expect.
You can hold my hand the whole time if you want.
If you need a break, raise your hand and we'll pause.
Afterward we can do something small and cozy together.

Try it together

Practice the 'sleepy lion' mouth open in a mirror for 5 seconds, then rest. Do three rounds.

Parent note

Keep language concrete. Avoid 'it won't hurt' as a blanket promise — say what will happen and how they can signal for a pause.

For professionals

Therapists: reuse this pack across clients and swap names, sensory preferences, and coping plans.