Getting the first dentist visit right

Putting right a little boy’s misconceptions on what he would find on his first trip to the dentist is the central theme of new book by popular Stanthorpe oral health therapist Susan Fleming.
Mrs Fleming entertained Wallangarra State School students with a special reading of ‘Dentists DO Wear Masks’ on a book tour on Wednesday, August 10, that also took in schools and childcare centres south of the border. There are more visits south and across the Southern Downs in the pipeline.
She was supported by sidekick Norbit, the toothy green dragon that also appears in the book, along with the central character Thomas who is a bit confused about the type of mask the dentist will be wearing, the sort of chair he gets to ride in and how dentists count teeth.
Mrs Fleming’s engaging style with young children is well honed from 20 years in the School Dental Service visiting schools across the Southern Downs in the dental van. Wallangarra is one of the few schools, along with Broadwater and Ballandean, that can claim a seven-year ongoing lunchtime teeth brushing regime that she initiated.
She is hoping to reach out to all her old haunts with the book, which was created in response to the need she saw during the school dental van visits.
“We try to make sure that visiting the dentist is always a good experience,” she said.
“It makes it easier for us, easier for the parents and easier for the child.”
She recommends children come along on family dental visits from the age of two, if only to have a ride in the dentist’s chair.
“It lets them get to know the sounds and smells of the dental surgery.”
Mrs Fleming has now handed in her keys to the dental van and practises at Granite Belt Dental, where she’s grateful to boss Michael Letters for allowing her the time to visit schools and childcare centres to promote her new book. It’s her first effort as an author and as an illustrator, but she would like to create a series of age-appropriate books describing Thomas’s dental experiences as he grows older.
“He’s four years old now. There could be another book when he’s six and gets his six-year-old molars. At age 12 or 13 he may need braces …,” she said.
“This first book has taken off really well, and I’m pleased the community has accepted it.”
Mrs Fleming has produced a small first print run with the assistance of A Better Way To Print and is hoping a publisher will see the interest in the book and come on board. In addition to the standard print size, she has also produced a large-format teacher’s edition, together with activity sheets devised with the help of St Joseph’s Stanthorpe’s Year 1 teacher Johanna Campbell.
Mrs Fleming doubts she’ll get to retire on the proceeds, but considers the book a labour of love. It’s available by emailing Mrs Fleming directly at fleming@halenet.com.au or at Granite Belt Dental.