Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Bookish Wisdom earns from qualifying purchases. This doesn't change our picks or your price.
Quick answer: The best books for Kids About Going to the Dentist include The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist by Stan and Jan Berenstain, Peppa Pig: Dentist Trip by Ladybird, Curious George Visits the Dentist by H.A. Rey and twelve more picks chosen for story quality and age fit. Each book below has a short description, a suggested age range and who it suits best, with a comparison table to help you choose quickly.
A trip to the dentist can feel scary for young children. These picture books explain what happens at a dental check-up, show friendly dentists and make brushing and caring for teeth fun, so kids feel calmer before their next visit.
Table of Contents
Quick Comparison Table
| Book | Author | Ages | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist | Stan and Jan Berenstain | 3-7 | first dental visits |
| Peppa Pig: Dentist Trip | Ladybird | 2-5 | Peppa fans |
| Curious George Visits the Dentist | H.A. Rey | 3-7 | Curious George fans |
| Just Going to the Dentist | Mercer Mayer | 3-6 | Little Critter fans |
| Doctor De Soto | William Steig | 4-8 | fans of clever stories |
| Show Me Your Smile! A Visit to the Dentist | Christine Ricci | 3-6 | Dora fans |
| Going to the Dentist | Anne Civardi | 3-6 | kids who want to know what happens |
| The Tooth Book | Theo LeSieg | 3-7 | rhyme lovers |
| Open Wide: Tooth School Inside | Laurie Keller | 5-9 | kids who love funny facts |
| Max Goes to the Dentist | Adria F. Klein | 4-7 | beginning readers |
| The Crocodile and the Dentist | Taro Gomi | 2-6 | kids who like humour |
| How Many Teeth? | Paul Showers | 4-8 | curious kids |
| Brush Your Teeth, Please | Leslie McGuire | 2-5 | pop-up book fans |
| Dear Tooth Fairy | Alan Durant | 4-7 | kids losing teeth |
| Pete the Cat and the Lost Tooth | James Dean | 3-7 | Pete the Cat fans |
How We Chose These Books
We looked for real, widely available titles that match the theme and the age range, and we favoured books with clear storytelling and strong reputations with parents, teachers and librarians. Age ranges are suggestions, not rules, so you know your reader best. Previewing a book before you hand it over is always a good idea, especially for sensitive topics.
The 15 Books
1. The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist by Stan and Jan Berenstain
Sister Bear watches Brother's check-up and gets ready for her own. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: first dental visits.
2. Peppa Pig: Dentist Trip by Ladybird
Peppa and George visit the dentist for a check-up. Recommended ages: about 2-5.
Best for: peppa fans.
3. Curious George Visits the Dentist by H.A. Rey
George learns what happens at the dentist. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: curious George fans.
4. Just Going to the Dentist by Mercer Mayer
Little Critter visits the dentist and gets an X-ray. Recommended ages: about 3-6.
Best for: little Critter fans.
5. Doctor De Soto by William Steig
A mouse dentist outsmarts a fox who wants to eat him. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: fans of clever stories.
6. Show Me Your Smile! A Visit to the Dentist by Christine Ricci
Dora goes to her first dental check-up. Recommended ages: about 3-6.
Best for: dora fans.
7. Going to the Dentist by Anne Civardi
An Usborne First Experiences book about a dental visit. Recommended ages: about 3-6.
Best for: kids who want to know what happens.
8. The Tooth Book by Theo LeSieg
A rhyming look at who has teeth and how to care for them. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: rhyme lovers.
9. Open Wide: Tooth School Inside by Laurie Keller
Teeth go to school to learn about themselves. Recommended ages: about 5-9.
Best for: kids who love funny facts.
10. Max Goes to the Dentist by Adria F. Klein
Max visits the dentist for a check-up. Recommended ages: about 4-7.
Best for: beginning readers.
11. The Crocodile and the Dentist by Taro Gomi
A crocodile and a dentist are both scared of each other. Recommended ages: about 2-6.
Best for: kids who like humour.
12. How Many Teeth? by Paul Showers
A science book about baby teeth and adult teeth. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: curious kids.
13. Brush Your Teeth, Please by Leslie McGuire
Animals show how to brush their teeth. Recommended ages: about 2-5.
Best for: pop-up book fans.
14. Dear Tooth Fairy by Alan Durant
Holly writes letters to the Tooth Fairy. Recommended ages: about 4-7.
Best for: kids losing teeth.
15. Pete the Cat and the Lost Tooth by James Dean
Pete helps his friend Gus after he loses a tooth. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: pete the Cat fans.
How to Choose the Right Book
For first visits, start with The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist, Just Going to the Dentist and Going to the Dentist. Toddlers will enjoy Peppa Pig: Dentist Trip and Brush Your Teeth, Please. Kids who like funny stories should try Doctor De Soto and The Crocodile and the Dentist, while How Many Teeth? and Open Wide teach real facts.
Tips for Choosing and Sharing These Books
- Read it first. A quick skim lets you spot anything that might need a conversation.
- Match the book to the child. A reader who loves jokes may prefer a funny pick, while a quiet reader may prefer a gentler story.
- Read together. Pausing to ask what a character might feel or do next turns a story into a conversation.
- Visit the library. Borrowing a few titles from this list lets you find the ones your child returns to.
- Revisit favourites. Children often ask for the same book again and again, and rereading builds confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best book on this list to start with?
The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist by Stan and Jan Berenstain is a strong place to start, and every book on this list is a good option.
What age are these books for?
The books on this list suit roughly ages 2 to 9, and each entry shows its own suggested range.
Should I read these books aloud?
Many of them work well read aloud, especially with younger children, and older readers may enjoy reading them independently.
Where can I find these books?
Most of these titles are easy to find at public libraries, school libraries and bookshops, and many are available as ebooks or audiobooks, which can help reluctant or struggling readers.
Related: 15 Best Children’s Books About Going to the Dentist to Ease First-Visit Fears