Max, a five-year-old boy, feels nervous about his first dentist visit, but with his comfort toy and the kind, patient help of his mom and the dentist, he learns how to manage his feelings and have a successful check-up.
Max was going to the dentist for the first time. He felt a little wobbly inside, like a jellyfish. He held his soft blue elephant, Ellie, very tight. 'It's a place for keeping your smile healthy,' Mom explained. Max thought about his smile. He wondered what the dentist's office would be like.
The waiting room was very bright. Max noticed a strong smell of mint. There was a quiet humming from a fish tank and the soft *tap-tap-tap* of someone typing. So many things were happening at once! Max squeezed Ellie and took a slow, deep breath, just like Mom had shown him. 'We can wait right here,' Mom said softly.
A friendly lady named Dr. Maya came to greet them. She smiled a big, warm smile. 'Hello, Max! I'm so glad you're here,' she said. Her voice was calm and quiet. Max looked at her blue coat. It was a nice, soft blue, like the sky on a calm day. He felt a tiny bit less wobbly.
The big chair in the next room looked like a spaceship! It was very large and silver. Max felt his feet get tingly. Dr. Maya saw his look. 'This chair goes up and down,' she said. 'Would you like to see it move first?' Max nodded. He watched the chair glide slowly up, then down. Knowing what would happen helped.
Max sat in the chair with Mom close by. Dr. Maya gave him a big, crinkly bib to wear. 'This is to keep your shirt super clean,' she explained. It felt funny, but not scary. The bright light above turned on. 'This light helps me see all your wonderful teeth,' said Dr. Maya. Max held Ellie in his lap.
'Now, I'm going to count your teeth,' Dr. Maya said. 'Can you open your mouth like a wide, hungry lion?' Max opened his mouth. He felt a little mirror tool touch his teeth. It was cold and smooth. 'One, two, three... twenty!' Dr. Maya counted. 'All your teeth are here and saying hello!'
Next, Dr. Maya showed Max a tool. 'This makes a soft buzzing sound, like a little bee,' she said. She turned it on away from Max so he could hear the *zzzzzz* sound first. 'It tickles a little and helps clean your teeth super shiny.' Max listened to the buzz. He knew what it would do.
The buzzing felt tickly on his teeth. Max squeezed his eyes shut for a second. He remembered he could ask for a break. He held up one finger, their signal. Dr. Maya stopped right away. 'Good asking, Max,' she said. Max took two big breaths and hugged Ellie. Then he gave a thumbs-up to show he was ready.
All done! Dr. Maya gave Max a new toothbrush and a sticker. 'You did such a great job listening and learning!' she said. Max smiled. His smile felt clean and happy. He wasn't wobbly anymore. He held Mom's hand, still clutching Ellie. 'We learned all the steps,' Max said proudly. He knew he could do it again.