Helping the family

Helping the family manage dental care

Children depend on their families (i.e. individuals who are close to a child and who may have a role in his or her care) to bring them to dental appointments and to ensure that appropriate preventive strategies are followed. This “treatment alliance” is based on trust between the child, accompanying adult and dental team.⁴⁴ Awareness of factors that can affect this relationship will help the dental team to establish rapport with the family.