“Adolescents need to feel ownership of their oral health. If the parent takes over too much, the teen may resist, but if the parent withdraws completely, the teen may lack structure.”
— Dr Bea Polivka Marčanová
Dr Marčanová shares tips on how oral health professionals can support this balance in the dental office:
1) Structure the appointment into three parts
Start with both the parent and the teen present, then spend some time with the teen alone, and finally do a brief recap with the parent alone. The final time with the parent is to ensure that no important information is omitted by the teen.
2) Recognise that each family dynamic is different
Some teenagers feel more comfortable when their parents are present, while others speak more openly when they are by themselves. Adapt your appointment structure accordingly.
3) Make space for the teenager to speak without their parents
This helps them to take ownership and responsibility for their oral health. Dr Marčanová also points out that they may be more open to hearing advice from you, as an unbiased third-person, than from their parents whom they are actively seeking independence from.
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