Pedo Patient Products
How do you feel about seeing pedo patients in your office? Do you love having a little one on your schedule to break up the day, or do you stress about the appointment before they’re even there? Kids can be tricky to see, but there are lots of helpful products to have in your operatory to make the appointment run a little smoother. We’ve seen many kids in our days in practice, and have some favorite products and tools to help make these appointments go as smoothly as possible.
Kids sunglasses.This may be obvious, but having sunglasses that fit a little face can definitely make the appointment more comfortable. First, they’ll be more likely to wear them if they fit. Second, the extra light protection is needed when we use our loupes light- kids don’t love having the light shone right into their eyes and can make them uncomfortable and anxious.
Fidget Spinners. Keep a few of these on hand are perfect for the little one (or maybe not so little one) who is feeling anxious or having a hard time holding still. Having them be able to hold and play with something can release energy and let them focus their attention on something else other than laying back. Wipe them down in between patients, or hand them out after the appointment as their “prize” since prize boxes look different right now.
Young Zooby Prophy Angles. These are our favorite angles for kids! They can make the appointment interactive and fun. You can make up a story about aTiger or Flamingo that you have on your hand piece and be able to switch it up between their appointments. The entire Zooby line is really cute (patient napkins, masks, prophy paste, and more), but the angles are definitely our favorite product from the line.
Cordless Handpiece. If you’re really looking for something amazing with kids, a cordless slow speed handpiece is a great investment both for your patients and for yourself. Since they sometimes don’t want to move their heads in certain directions (especially if they’re watching a movie on the ceiling), having a cordless handpiece can make adaptation easier and slightly improve your ergonomics during the appointment.
Disclosing Agent. The visual demonstration of where biofilm is left on the teeth is not only powerful for a kid, but also for the parent. Having them both visually see where their home care is missing can make a big impact on how the gingiva will look at the next appointment.You can either use the liquid and paint it on their teeth with a Microbrush, use a tablet, or make your own disclosing liquid by crushing up a tablet. (You can learn how to DIY disclosing agent here).
Voco Caramel Fluoride Varnish. Have you tried out the varnish you use every day? Does it taste good, or does it leave a lingering taste? Is it so sticky that you want to pick it off 10 minutes application, or does it smooth out with time? We’ve tried many brands and flavors of varnish, and there are lots of great options out there. We really love the Voco Caramel Varnish and have great patient reports from it.
What are your favorite things to have on hand with pediatric patients? Let us know below!