A safe and effective technique a care provider and you, a parent, may use to safely hold a child in order to provide preventative care.  

You and your child’s dental provider will sit facing each other with your knees touching.  You will hold your child so that your child is sitting on your lap facing you. In this position your child’s stomach will touch your own stomach.  Your child’s legs will straddle your waist, so that your elbows, or the sides of your arms, can be used to secure your child’s legs safely against your body. You will lay your child’s head back onto the dental provider’s lap.  At that time, the dental provider will hold and support your child’s head so you may hold your child’s hands. 

If you feel that you may be physically or mentally uncomfortable or unable to complete this technique, please tell us immediately. If this is the case, we will ask you if you would be happy reserving a future appointment for an adult friend or family member who your child trusts and who can comfortably help us render preventative care for your child utilizing a knee-to-knee position.

Completing our patient’s preventative care is very importance to us and to your child’s health. 

Regardless of our patient’s age or cooperation, as long as preventative care can be provided safely with the assistance of a parent, a parent’s elective representative, or a legal guardian, it should be provided.  Completing preventative services sends a positive message to our young patient’s.  Patient’s allowed to complete preventive care with this encouraging assistance realize that it is not painful or scary.  

Not providing preventive care to an uncooperative child rewards that child for behavior meant to influence us away from providing care, not to mention confirming the child's suspicions that the examination must be frightening and unnecessary. 

Dr. Gunsaulis strongly believes that not providing preventive care is analogous to allowing a child to ride in a car while not wearing a safety belt.  This is why Dr. Gunsaulis believes that no exceptions can be given when it comes to ensuring a healthy child.