Pediatric dentist draws inspiration from characters to ease patients’ fears during consultations · AeP

With services in public and private networks, pediatric dentist Meryellen Barbosa sees children as making their dreams come true. With this audience in mind, she specializes in the children’s niche, where little ones’ confidence is needed to sit in the dentist’s chair. With more than ten years dedicated to the specialty, she created the “Sorria, sem medo” project, which offers personalized consultations, including clothing reminiscent of animation characters that are popular among young people.

“Being afraid of the dentist is something that is often talked about, but on many occasions, some patients come to the clinics where I work in a panic, terrified of sitting in the chair for a dental assessment. In recent years I have specialized even more in the children’s segment and I have realized that with playful techniques that promote confidence, it is possible to shift the focus from this fear, breaking the paradigm that going to the dentist’s office means necessarily feeling pain “, he. explains.

Buzz Lightyear, Super Mario Bros, Snow White, Frozen, Wonder Woman, Peppa Pig, Masha and the Bear, Captain America, Monsters Inc. and even the recently released “Barbie” are some of the inspirations used by Meryellen to compose SEEMS with which he treats his young patients. Everything is done very carefully, including TV animations, conversation and establishing boundaries between the professional and the child, encouraging trustworthiness.

“We know how important it is during this period when the little ones are growing, to work on some concepts that will last a lifetime. This relationship between dentist and patient can also start healthy early in life. Together we determine how we will do it, how the services can flow and what could be the reason for crying a lot, it becomes a consultation in which they have fun from start to finish”, he says.

Meryellen also details that her goal is to hold meetings by bringing together costumed professionals in spaces where assistance support is needed, such as institutions that support the elderly and children. For this second semester, the forecast is that at least three locations will be visited.

“I am fortunate to work on both sides: public and private service, being able to understand the reality of different families who need support and, sometimes, just guidance. I realized that today I am this professional because every patient brought me knowledge. And most of that is on the front lines, in public service, which is why I made it my mission to always offer something of a social nature, to extend services and opportunities like this project, to people who, sometimes, just they have to break their fear, to continue life smiling”, he concludes.