According to a recent study on dental anxiety, 80 percent of adults report feeling discomfort over getting dental treatments, with 20 percent saying they were “scared” and 5 percent avoiding dental care entirely.
If those results are accurate, then we wouldn't be surprised if most young kids similarly experience some doubt, trepidation, or fear about going to the dentist—especially the first time. However, dental health is critical to overall good health, and if kids can learn good dental habits while they’re young, that can carry over to feeling less discomfort or even looking forward to dental visits when they’re older. Let’s be honest: There’s nothing better than the feeling of freshly cleaned teeth straight from the dentist!
To honor dentists and promote dental care (especially for kids), we celebrate National Dentist Day on Wednesday, March 6, and Melissa & Doug is here to provide parents and caregivers with some appropriately themed creative learning fun: a FREE dentist-themed Printable Activity for kids! Can your little one spot Dentist Differences in two similar pictures?
Get your FREE National Dentist Day-themed Printable Activity for Kids >>>
Pretend Play fun to celebrate National Dentist Day (March 6)
If you’re a parent or caregiver looking to keep the National Dentist Day fun going, consider adding pretend play fun from Melissa & Doug into your little one’s play mix. Melissa & Doug toys provide long-lasting value because they’re made from tough, sturdy, high quality materials; they’re meant to be passed from sibling to sibling, family to family, and generation to generation!
No matter your child’s age, stage, or ability, Melissa & Doug has a dentist-themed toy to spark imagination, providing hours of open-ended, creative, kid-powered fun. Scroll on for our carefully curated selection of dentist toys that your little ankle-biter can sink their teeth into!
Super Smile Dentist Play Set
Our ultimate dentist toys! Smile, the dentist will see you now! This 25-piece dental care play set features an oversized set of pretend teeth so young dentists-in-training can give cleanings, treat cavities, and even fit retainers and braces! The set includes realistic instruments like a pick, mirror, and floss, a dental rinse bottle and cup, 2 gauze pads, 2 tooth polish cups, and an instrument tray to keep organized. A mask, reusable ID tag on a lanyard, and a double-sided reusable activity card round out the dentist’s office experience. The play set is a fun and engaging way to teach good dental health practices, and to ease kids’ fears or feelings of stress associated with a visit to the dentist.
Doctor Costume Role Play Set
The doctor will see you now…and you've gotta look the part! This role play outfit has everything an aspiring doctor needs to check up on their patients and fix their boo-boos. It includes a white coat, mask, thermometer, reflex hammer, ear scope, syringe, stethoscope with sound effects (2 AAA batteries required, not included), and a reusable name tag so kids can personalize their outfit. The Doctor Role Play Set is sized to fit boys and girls ages three to six. The costume set helps promote narrative thinking and creative expression, along with independent and cooperative play.
Fun at the Fair! Carnival Candy Play Set
You need a reason to go to the dentist—pretend candy makes for the perfect play prompt! Satisfy hungry imaginations by creating and serving tempting pretend play carnival treats. Includes play money and an activity card to let kids 3+ be the vendor or the customer at an at-home fair. The Carnival Candy pretend play set is an engaging, hands-on way to introduce colors, sorting, and problem-solving, and to encourage fine motor skills. This product is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. FSC certification ensures that products come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits, and that forests are protected for future generations.
My Magnetic Daily Calendar
Every good dentist needs to manage their schedule! What is today? For a child, that simple question can have so many answers--and this daily calendar helps satisfy them all! Kids will feel a greater sense of control and responsibility when they help post the day of the week, date, weather, and special events on the large magnetic board for all to see. There's even a space to post their mood--an excellent way to open communication and encourage children to gauge their own emotions.
Get Well Doctor Activity Center
To be a dentist, you need a place to practice: This sturdy, multi-sided wooden play space has everything kids need to role play visits to the doctor—or dentist's—office! Kids can be the patient or the doctor, the receptionist, or the nurse. It's a great way to ease kids' fears about doctor visits and to encourage nurturing and empathetic play. The waiting area includes a seat, clock, and fun changeable artwork. Sign in and check out with a credit card reader and card, fill out a reusable patient file, and take appointments with the wooden play phone. Wash up in the sink, display X-rays, monitor blood pressure, tip the scale, measure height, and read the eye chart.
Ice Cream Take-Along Toy
The perfect toy for kids still teething! This super-sweet clip-on vibrating pull-toy is a delicious way to entertain babies while stimulating their senses—without the sugar rush! It looks like a soft, smiling ice cream cone, but pull it down and it expands to four stacked scoops in different patterns, colors, and textures: cotton, corduroy, and quilted materials. When baby lets go, the cone vibrates and plays chiming sounds as it jiggles its way back to a single cone! Bring the fun wherever baby goes—the self-stick strap lets you easily clip the all-in-one, multi-textured toy onto a stroller, car seat, diaper bag, or high chair to keep it close at hand. Adorable, diverse characters and a variety of fun shapes and textures encourage exploratory, skill-building play.
Check out more great toy blogs from Melissa & Doug…click the links below!
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