8 Books to Help Your Child Not Fear the Dentist

Parents want kids to have a positive view of going to the dentist. Unfortunately, fear can cause anxiety, especially for young children who don’t know what to expect. The following books can help you prepare your child for a trip to the dentist, so they will feel more confident and relaxed.

1. The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist

An entertaining little tale for preschoolers, this story follows Sister Bear and Brother Bear, as they visit the dentist. Sister Bear watches while Dr. Bearson gently fills a cavity in one of Brother Bear’s teeth. Afterword, Sister Bear takes a seat in the dentist’s chair to have a stubborn baby tooth removed. The story is a light and cheerful way to prepare kids for what to expect when it’s their turn to visit the dentist.

2. The Crocodile and the Dentist

This unique children’s book puts a fresh spin on dental fear by putting the dentist in a scary situation. When a toothy crocodile needs to pay a visit to the dentist, both are fearful. By the end of the humorous, colorfully illustrated story, however, everyone ends up feeling much better, and regular dental care seems like a breeze.

3. What to Expect When You Go to the Dentist

With the help of lovable Answer Dog, Angus, best-selling author Heidi Murkoff explains who dentists are, what they do, and why they use all those funny-looking tools.

4. Just Going to the Dentist

Mercer Mayer’s popular Little Critter embarks on a visit to the dentist, where he has a check-up, complete with dental x-rays. When a cavity is discovered, Little Critter bravely undergoes treatment and is surprised at how smoothly the entire process goes.

5. Curious George Visits the Dentist

 When Curious George bites into a decorative apple, he hurts his tooth. When the man with the yellow hat takes George to the dentist, the little monkey must overcome his fear, while learning about the importance of good dental hygiene.

6. Show Me Your Smile!: A Visit to the Dentist

Dora the Explorer heads to the dentist’s office for a routine cleaning and a bit more. After being such a good patient, the popular character gets a special treat, while learning that the dentist isn’t really all that bad.

7. Dentist Trip

In this charming little tale, George is quite nervous about his first dental visit. Fortunately, he has Peppa Pig to show him that visiting the dentist isn’t anything to be afraid of; in fact, they end up having a lot of fun.

8. Going to the Dentist

At the beginning of this cute little story, Jake and Jessie Judd are not enthusiastic about visiting the dentist. After some gentle, compassionate care, however, their attitudes change. They also learn about caring for their teeth and eating healthy foods.