Preparing your child to receive dental services from your dentist in the Troy area

We believe that positive dental experiences are an important part of maintaining oral health. Should one feel anxious when visiting his or her dentist, there is a greater risk that regular dental check-ups will be missed. We seek to start our patients off on the right foot. Especially when working with children, we take care to create calm, fun experiences that will promote good feelings about dental care.

In the ideal situation, a child will first get to know Dr. Aurelia during visits in which parents’ dental needs are tended to. When children meet the dentist for the first time in such a situation, there is little fear of the unknown. If your child will first receive dental services in Troy during a personal dental-check up, there are steps you can take to create a better experience. These include:

• Inform your child of an impending dental visit a day or so beforehand. This will give you time to provide vague details of the visit, without giving your child too much time to imagine what may take place at the dentist’s office. If your child has questions, they should be answered directly but simply. There is no need to explain to a child that the dentist may give him or her a shot, or use sharp tools to poke at teeth. Once your child is under our care, we explain what we are doing in terms that he or she can understand, based on age. Dr. Aurelia and staff provide gentle, compassionate care to children so to promote a positive experience.
• When bringing up an impending dental visit, parents are encouraged to maintain a positive attitude. Telling children stories of dental problems or painful situations will only increase their anxiety about the dentist.
• Children feed off of their parents’ energy. A parent entering into a dental appointment with calm confidence will rub off on a child, who will then feel less anxious about the unknown experience.
• Oral health is a topic that should be discussed amongst the family. The more children understand about their teeth, the better they will be able to care for them. When the dentist is portrayed as a helpful doctor who helps keep teeth healthy and pretty, children will feel more comfortable with dental check-ups.

Dental anxiety can occur in a patient of any age. We hope to decrease the risk that your child will feel anxious about receiving care by making visits fun and effective. Contact us to schedule dental check-ups for your family with Dr. Aurelia.

Dr. John Aurelia
Connect with John L. Aurelia on Linkedin.

Dr. John Aurelia, DDS, brings over two decades of expertise in dentistry, having earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Detroit Mercy in 2003. An active member of the Academy of General Dentistry and the American and Michigan Dental Associations, Dr. Aurelia has also completed advanced studies at the Dawson Academy and Pankey Institute. His dedication extends beyond practice, with a history of humanitarian work in the Dominican Republic and a focus on integrating cutting-edge techniques in implants and cosmetic dentistry. Known for personalized care, Dr. Aurelia is committed to enhancing patients' smiles and confidence.

Dr. Dina Khoury

Dr. Dina Khoury, a dedicated dentist with over 20 years of experience, graduated from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry in 1995. Following her education, she served veterans during her residency at the VA Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. Dr. Khoury has spent most of her career in private practice, focusing on patients of all ages and specializing in cosmetic dentistry. As an active member of the Rochester community, she combines professional expertise with a personal commitment to patient care and local engagement.