My Tooth Social Stories for Kids

My Tooth by Naomi williams illustrated by ashley greaves

This story is written to support children who have anxieties around visiting the dentist or to help them understand the process of a dentist appointment. There are useful questions and conversation starters to help relieve children of fears they may have and develop coping strategies for dentist appointments. The illustrations are black and white so that children can personalise the story and colour them in as they go along. Do not feel the need to rush through the story as each page can be used per session to work at the individual child’s/ group’s pace. Social stories are an effective way to support children and young people with additional learning needs or disabilities to develop an understanding of the world and preparing them for specific situations they will find themselves in as they grow. It is the perfect opportunity to support a small group, class or individual on a one to one basis by exploring their thoughts, feelings and empowering them with life lessons for their social skills tool box. Join Isabelle on her trip to the dentist…

How many teeth do you have? “Say Cheese”, mummy said as she took a photograph of Isabelle’s bright, white teeth. “Ooh!” she exclaimed looking back at the photograph on the camera.

Say cheese and do a great big smile! Isabelle had her first wobbly tooth right at the front of her mouth. Isabelle had been fiddling with it so it was really bendy now but still attached to her gum. “It’s lunch time Izzie”, mummy shouted.

How does Isabelle feel? “Ouchhh”, Isabelle squealed as she bit into a juicy, red apple. “My tooth! My tooth!”, she ran to mummy as fast as she could. “Alright alright let me have a look”, mummy put her glasses on and came to the rescue with some tissue and a cuddle. She dried Isabelle’s tears and hummed a lullaby while inspecting the tooth.

Do you have any wobbly teeth? “Right I will book a dentist appointment, that tooth will have to come out!”, mummy said as she picked up her mobile phone and dialled the number for the dental practice. Isabelle had never been to the dentist before.

What questions could Nevaeh ask about the dentist? On the way to the dentist Isabelle tried to imagine what it would be like and became nervous. She hoped that there would be nice people there.

What could Mummy say to make Nevaeh feel better? The car stopped outside a large, brick building with white doors that opened and closed as people walked in and out. Isabelle looked at their faces, they didn’t seem sad or frightened. “Mummy, I’m scared”,Isabelle said as she sunk into her booster seat.

Have you been to the dentist before? Mummy rushed around to the back of the car and gave Isabelle a cuddle. “I will be with you the whole time, the dentist is a lovely lady and she is my dentist too, she will take care of you and afterwards we can go for a treat”. Isabelle smiled as mummy reassured her.

Who is the woman behind the counter? Isabelle held mummy’s hand tightly as they walked through the automatic doors. She looked up over the counter and saw the kind face of a woman smiling back at her. “Can I help you”, she said as she continued to smile pleasantly.

What toys could you take to an appointment to make you feel happy? Mummy wrote on a form the woman gave her and handed it in. Isabelle had forgotten all about the appointment, she was too busy playing with the toys in the waiting area.

Who could Dr Johnson be? “Isabelle”, a lady called as she opened a brown door leading to a narrow corridor. She had a white cloak on and black glasses. She smiled at mummy and Isabelle as she introduced herself “My name is Dr Johnson”.

Can you name any of the equipment? Dr Johnson walked Isabelle and mummy to a special room which had lots of different equipment and furniture in. There was a lady standing by the side table putting some equipment onto a tray. She said hello and carried on preparing busily around the room.

Which chair would you find in the dentist’s room? “Isabelle can you sit on this comfy chair for me please”, Dr Johnson asked. Isabelle jumped onto the chair and it went all the way back. Isabelle enjoyed this part, it felt like a ride.

How does Nevaeh eel and why? “Open wide…oh a wobbly tooth”, Dr Johnson squeezed some liquid in Isabelle’s mouth and used a shiny, metal piece of equipment. “All done! Would you like a sticker”, Dr Johnson said happily. Isabelle chose a red and gold sticker and jumped off the chair smiling.

On the way home Isabelle stopped for some ice-cream with Mummy she was still smiling, although she had one tooth missing. Dr Johnson promised another tooth would grow back soon.