HOPE at the Orthodontist

My daughter loves her braces. It will be a sad day for her when she gets them off. She loves going to the orthodontist, interacting with the receptionists, hygienists, assistants and techs, and the doctor. She loves getting x-rays and brushing her teeth once the wire is removed. She loves picking out the rubber band colors and seeing her beautiful smile in the mirror. She loves the coins she gets at the end of her appointment as she excitedly skips to the gumball machine to claim her prize. I’m so grateful her experience has been positive.

I never liked having braces. They were painful to get adjusted and ripped the inside of my mouth apart. Everything was so sensitive, and it made talking and eating difficult. I remember having to cover parts of the braces with wax so I wouldn’t stab myself with wires and brackets. It seemed to take forever for my teeth to move, and I felt ugly. I didn’t like feeling different because I was a “brace face.”

I’m glad my daughter’s experience has been different than mine.

As long and painful as the process was for me to have braces, my daughter and I do share some similar experiences. I really liked my orthodontist! Dr. Whetten had a great sense of humor and was always making people laugh. He demonstrated genuine care in his RELATIONSHIPS with his patients. He had excellent bedside manner and made me feel comfortable in the office ENVIRONMENT. My daughter’s orthodontist is very engaging and has shown genuine interest in her hobbies, school, and overall well-being. Both offices are clean and organized, with clear expectations and a consistent routine to follow each visit.

There were plenty of opportunities for EMOTIONAL GROWTH while I had braces. I was reassured that the pain wouldn’t last forever, which was encouraging. I have provided similar reassurance to my daughter, that her braces won’t last forever, which makes her sad. Together we’ve co-regulated and grown stronger in emotional intelligence and maturity.

Relationships, Environments, and Emotional Growth are three of the four building blocks of HOPE or Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences. The other building block is Social and Civic Engagement. The HOPE framework centers key types of Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) that promote health and well-being for children and families.

We can find HOPE in everyday experiences. Not every interaction has to include all the building blocks to be effective at strengthening children and families. Consistency is key.

Our work at the Idaho Children’s Trust Fund (ICTF) promotes these building blocks of HOPE which are essential to protecting adult mental health and optimal development so children, families, and communities can thrive. If you would like to learn more about HOPE or share your story, contact the Idaho Children’s Trust Fund.