In honor of National Dentist’s Day (March 6) and National Doctors’ Day (March 30), the Melissa & Doug team wants to help parents make checkups go smoother with play ideas, tips, and more as part of our "Ready, Set . . . Checkup!" campaign. It's play with a purpose!
When it comes to getting little ones to their dentist and doctor checkups, an old saying really provides the best medicine: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
So what does that look like in real life? It means helping your child know what to expect before the big day. Talking through who they’ll meet, what they might see, and what will happen during a visit can go a long way in easing worries. When kids feel prepared—and a little bit in control—they’re more likely to walk into an appointment feeling curious instead of nervous. A little prep at home can make the whole experience calmer for everyone.
One easy way to build that comfort is with a simple practice run. If you can, visit the dentist’s office ahead of time or talk through the steps together—from getting in the car to sitting in the chair. But you can take it even further (and make it more fun) by setting up a “dentist’s office” right in your playroom. Let your child be the dentist, the patient, or both, and act out the whole visit using pretend tools and role play. It’s a playful way to turn something unfamiliar into something they already understand—and maybe even look forward to.
Read on to get some tips, suggestions, and play ideas that will help your child thrive at their next dentist or doctor visit—it’s time for Ready, Set . . .Checkup! You can get started by downloading our FREE Dentist Differences printable activity for kids—can your little one spot the difference between two dentist coloring sheets? Download yours now!
Brush Up on Dental Health at Home
Help your child establish good dental habits when they’re young, and they’re more likely to keep it up as they get older. Here are some tips from the American Dental Association to help your preschooler care for their smile:
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Brush for 2 minutes, twice a day, morning and night. After meals encouraged, too!
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For older kids, use a pea-size amount of fluoride toothpaste. For children younger than 3, use a grain of rice-size.
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Help kids with brushing till they can spit out toothpaste on their own, around age 6.
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Don’t forget to floss!
Finding the Right Dentist for Your Child
Research pediatric dentists who specialize in treating young children. We took our preschooler daughter to our regular adult dentist for her first visit—she sat down in the tan, industrial exam room, took one look at the adult drill and the intimidating metal tools, let out a scream, and jumped out of the chair, never to return.
Luckily, we found a pediatric dentist in our area who uses kid-friendly tools and decor, provides stuffies and streaming services for emotional support, and specializes in treating young children who may suffer from greater anxiety at the dentist.
Play Ideas to Get Ready for Dental Checkups
Pretend play for kids means practicing for real-world events. Before your child ever goes to the dentist or doctor, make a play date with them at home that will help ease any uncomfortable emotions they may be experiencing before their check-ups.
1. Count & Check
Use the mirror and explorer tool from the Super Smile Dentist Play Set to “count” teeth together. Talk about what the dentist might check and let your child try it on you, too.
2. Brush Like a Pro
Practice proper brushing technique on the pretend teeth: Place brush at 45-degree angle to the gums and gently move the brush back and forth in short tooth-wide strokes. To brush inside front teeth, tilt brush vertically and make up and down strokes. Brush all surfaces: outer, inner, and chewing.
3. Pretend Play Your Visit
Role-play arriving at the dentist, checking in, and hopping into the “chair.” Walk through what will happen step by step in a friendly, playful way. “The dentist will shine a light into your mouth, check your gums, count your teeth, and clean them with a tool that spins and buzzes.”
4. Kid-Friendly Occupational Therapy
Use the FREE Melissa & Doug printable activity for kids to help explain their check-up visit. Can your little one spot the differences between the two dentist pictures? Download your Dentist Differences activity sheet now!
Pretend Play Dental & Doctor Toys
Melissa & Doug curated a thoughtful selection of pretend play toys that can help your child get ready for their dental and doctor checkups through play.
Smile, the dentist will see you now! This 25-piece dental care play set features an over-sized set of pretend teeth so young dentists-in-training can give cleanings, treat cavities, and even fit retainers and braces! 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.
The doctor will see you now! This role play outfit has everything an aspiring doctor needs to check up on their patients and fix their boo-boos.
Pediatric Nurse Role Play Costume Set
This pediatric-nurse play set has everything little nurses need to take care of a newborn baby—including the baby!
Get Well Doctor's Kit Play Set
The doctor will see you now! The 25-piece Melissa & Doug Get Well Doctor's Kit Play Set offers realistic accessories that let little doctors help patients get well! The play set is a fun and engaging way to ease any feelings of stress associated with a visit to the doctor and to encourage nurturing and empathetic play.
Get Well Doctor Activity Center
This sturdy, multi-sided wooden play space has everything kids need to role play visits to the doctor’s office! It’s a great way to ease kids’ fears about doctor visits and to encourage nurturing and empathetic play.
Now that kids are ready for the dentist, go here for doctor visit tips!
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