A great dentist helped a young boy overcome his fears!

by Jackie
(New Zealand)

My son was born with a rare craniofacial syndrome which affected one side of his face (basically the right side did not grow at the same rate as the left side).

As a result he has undergone many corrective surgeries including a procedure called mandibular distraction at age five to lengthen the jaw bone on the affected side.

He had a really hard time at the dentist, as not only was he unable to open his mouth wide enough for them to get all their instruments inside his mouth, he has a hyperactive gag reflex too. All in all not a great combination!

Fortunately we have found a wonderful patient and kind dentist who talks to him the whole time he's in the dentist chair, explaining what he's going to do and reassuring him that he's doing well.

Although it's still not a particularly pleasant experience for him, at least he no longer fears the dentist, and no more tears!