Happy Tooth
Purpose: A friend to take along on the journey
How to Use: Patients are encouraged to hold the stuffed Happy Tooth provided in the Take Home kit for the duration of at home desensitization practice and will see the character through the Social Stories.
Flashlight
Purpose: Mimics the dental light used to light up dark areas of the mouth so it is easier for the operator to see
How to Use: Caregiver can help the patient get used to light shining in the mouth beginning with the light on the tummy, then chin, lips and mouth. The light is bright in dental offices so the flashlight is quite bright to mimic light used
Dark Glasses
Purpose: Safety for the patient during care
How to Use: The patient can use either dark glasses or clear..dark can be helpful for light
Safety Glasses (Clear)
Purpose: Safety for the operator during care
How to Use: Patient can wear dark glasses or clear so both included in the kit. The operator will wear clear
Bib & Bib Clip
Purpose: Keep clothing clean and hold the bib in place.
How to Use:
To help the patient feel what it’s like to have the bib over the clothing and the bib chain on the back of the neck.
Masks (Blue & Purple)
Purpose:Protects operator and client from microbial transfer
How to Use: Hides the face of the operator. The patient can still hear the operator but cannot see their mouths. Note: if hearing is a concern and lip reading is needed, the operator will remove the mask. Two colours provided so that the patient can see that the mask may be different colours.
Gloves (Small & Medium)
Purpose:Protects operator and client from microbial transfer
How to Use: Nitrile gloves included. Important for the patient to learn the taste of the glove.
Plastic dental mirror
Purpose: Allows the operator to see into the back of the mouth
How to Use: Caregiver can use the mirror on the cheek, and in the mouth to
Gauze
Purpose: Holds the tongue to increase visibility.
How to Use: Gauze is used in the mouth to hold slippery surfaces such as the lips and tongue. The tongue is pulled out of the mouth slightly so that the operator can see the back of the mouth better.
Saliva Ejector
Purpose: Removes saliva/water from the patient’s mouth
How to Use: Used as a straw to remove water/saliva..instructions are to “kiss the straw” closing the mouth over the saliva ejector
Q tips long handles
Purpose:Tooth counters
How to Use: Used to count fingers.
Counting:
It is important that the sequence be followed. Count the finger first with the Q tip and then count the teeth. The sequence of movement is always from the tummy to the shoulder to the chin to opening wide and counting the teeth.
Dixie Cups
Purpose:Practice spitting into a cup.
How to Use: Useful so that the patient knows they can spit into the cup to practice spitting to remove any unpleasant taste.
Stop
Purpose: So the paitient can inform the provider to stop.
How to Use: It is important that every patient have a stop signal. If you/your patient has a stop signal already it is important to know that this can be used to stop the clinician from proceeding during treatment. Note other examples of stops shown on this site.