We’ve had this book since the eldest kids were little. There’s a whole series of them – going to school, going to the hospital, going on a plane, moving house, the new baby, going to the doctor, the new puppy.
This one has been the most well-read, though.
And it really came into it’s own as a social story for Poppy.
We read it just before going to the dentist each time.
Poppy was referred to the specialist dentist and was a regular there for many years.
Poppy is 17, and is in the sixth form at school.
She has built up her courage from the early days – entering the room, to sitting on a chair in the surgery to sitting on the dentist chair, to actually lying down and eventually keeping still whilst the chair moved up.
Allowing the dentist to carry out an examination has taken time, too. We have built up gradually to a full check up every 6 months.
No mean feat when the whole experience is an attack on the senses – bright lights, new sounds, so many people crammed into a small room, the aformentioned chair followed by sharp objects prodded into your mouth.
In 2020, I asked the specialist dentist if Poppy could be assessed for braces. She carried out a full check and said Poppy was ready to be referred to a mainstream dentist who would be able to see if she could be referred for orthodontic treatment.
Finding a mainstream dentist during the pandemic wasn’t easy but I didn’t give up, and eventually found one for Poppy.
I wasn’t sure how she’d get on, but armed with the social story, Poppy went for her first appointment, and managed really well.
She went for her 6 month check up a couple of weeks ago.
Everything was fine until we went into the treatment room. It was a different one, so she wasn’t used to the room or the layout.
The lamp above the dentist chair was sticking out and Poppy didn’t see it in time.
She bumped her head on the lamp. The dentist was brilliant, moving the lamp and waiting patiently until Poppy calmed down.
She finally managed to get on the chair.
She was upset during the examination but got through it.
She has been on the orthodontist list for 3 years now and I am hoping we will get the call from them soon to see if she will be accepted before she turns 18.
Let’s hope so.
