GOING TO THE DENTIST

Author:Lori Mortensen
Illustrator: Jeffrey Thompson
BUY – Going to the Dentist (First Graphics)

Kids wonder and sometimes worry about things they have not yet experienced. Told from a little boy’s point of view, Going To The Dentist takes us along with Kyle on his first dental appointment.

The cartoon style pictures are clear and friendly. This format may engage a wider audience.

This straight forward and interactive story starts with counting teeth, then discovering which ones are baby teeth and which are permanent teeth.

Going to the dentist may be a bit strange at first.

We meet the dental hygienist who scraps and polishes the teeth, then takes an xray photo of Kyle’s teeth.

Cutting down on sugary treats is role modelled well, as is brushing and flossing.
The dentist examines the xrays. Then using her tools she checks each tooth for cavities. Luckily Kyle has great teeth and gets the all clear, thumbs up from the dentist.

We also see what would have happened if there had been a hole in his tooth.
The gum is numbed. A laser drill removes the decay and a filling is plugged into the hole to dry. A friendly tooth smiles at us, all shiny and mended.

Kyle is given a new toothbrush and a sticker before he goes home.

A short glossary and recommended reading list end this book.
Remember to check sites out yourself before letting your kids view them.
I looked at the two recommended websites and don’t recommend them.
Fact Hound.com displayed titles that do not classify as children’s reading.

Overall the book gives a friendly engaging view of a dental visit for children.

Going to the Dentist