What Dentistry Can Learn from Kid-Friendly Hospitals
Pediatric hospitals use creativity, comfort, and connection to calm young patients, and these same approaches could transform the adult dental experience. By borrowing child-focused strategies, dental teams can reduce fear, improve outcomes, and even strengthen their bottom line.
Adults may not clutch teddy bears, but they often carry fear into dental settings just the same. Pediatric hospitals have long recognized fear, boredom, and emotional distress as barriers to healing, responding with creative, comfort-driven strategies to ease anxiety and accelerate recovery. For oral health professionals, these child-centered practices can spark powerful ideas for elevating the adult patient experience. A recent study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings looked at the lessons that pediatric hospitals may have for dental and medical practices.
The authors discussed the KidZone at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City as an example. It offers arts and crafts, live music, and interactive TV shows to entertain pediatric patients, even at the bedside. These joyful distractions aren’t just fun, they improve pain control, anxiety, and treatment adherence. Pediatric care often actively involves families, inviting parents to comfort children during exams, anesthesia, and recovery. In adult care, family involvement is typically minimal, yet even simple changes can ease anxiety and improve care coordination. Children’s hospitals also invest in comforting environments: nature murals, quiet rooms, dim lighting, and warm decor help replace fear with calm.
These pediatric-inspired strategies don’t just improve emotional well-being, they can also reduce length of stay, boost satisfaction scores, and improve reimbursement. Ultimately, integrating elements of joy, comfort, and family connection into adult care can help transform daunting dental visits into experiences that support healing in every sense. Click here to read more.
