Page 1: Cover
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RALPH THE BEAR'S TRIP TO THE DENTIST — A friendly story to read with your child before their visit to the dentist.
For Parents & ChildrenAges 4–8 years
Ralph the Bear's Trip to the Dentist
Follow Ralph the Bear on his visit to the dentist — a friendly story to read with your child before their appointment, so they know what to expect.
5 min read8 pagesPublished 2025
English — original story
How to use this story with your child
Going to the dentist can feel like a big deal for children — especially if they need a filling or any kind of treatment. The most helpful thing you can do in the days before the appointment is read this story together. Ralph is going through exactly the same thing your child is, and the friendly “sleepy air”, “tingly cream” and “magic wand” language is the same language the dental team will use on the day.
Read it once or twice before the visit. Let your child ask questions as you go. The story takes about 5 minutes to read through, and you can pause at any page to talk about what Ralph is feeling.
Page 2: Credits
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Comic written and designed by Clement Seeballuck and Cathy Shields, of the School of Dentistry, University of Dundee. Original "Ralph the Bear" character images were provided by R A Medical Services Ltd. Google Gemini was used to support the creation of different character poses and expressions.
Page 3: The Check-Up
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Visiting the dentist for a check-up. Ralph and his Mum have come to the dentist for Ralph's regular dental check-up. He's had some x-rays taken, and the dentist has some news for Ralph... Dentist: "Well done Ralph. We took some nice pictures of your teeth today, and we can see that you have a very small hole in your back tooth." Ralph: "A hole in my tooth?" Caption: "No need to worry Ralph! This is something the dentist can fix easily. He'll explain everything to you and your Mum."
Page 4: The Plan
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The dentist explains to Ralph and his Mum what will happen next. Dentist: "We just need to bring you back in a few weeks. We'll make the tooth go numb with some special cream and our magic wand. It will make your tooth feel almost like it's going to sleep..." The tray has two items: "Special tingly cream" and "Magic dental wand". Dentist: "Does that sound OK, Ralph?" Caption: "But Ralph is still looking a little bit nervous. The dentist can see that Ralph is going to need a bit of a helping hand." Dentist: "Don't worry Ralph! Using this mask, we can also give you some special relaxing sleepy air. It can help you to feel less worried. Do you like that idea?" Mum: "What do you think Ralph?" Ralph: "Sounds good Mum!" The dentist gives Ralph's Mum a helpful leaflet explaining what will happen at the next appointment, and how Ralph can get ready.
Page 5: Sleepy Air
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2 weeks later... It's the day of Ralph's next appointment and he's just woken up. From reading the leaflet the dentist gave to them, Ralph's Mum knows that Ralph is allowed to eat his breakfast as usual on the morning of the procedure. Ralph: "Thanks Mum. Yum - porridge!" Ralph breathes the sleepy gas through his nose for a few minutes. Dentist: "How does that feel on your nose Ralph?" Ralph: "Good. Smells like... strawberries!" Ralph doesn't quite go to sleep, but he feels a bit floaty, and daydreams about his summer holiday. The dentist uses the special tingly cream and the magic wand to make Ralph's tooth go numb, so he can't feel it. Because he's not asleep, Ralph can still talk to the dentist, and knows he can raise his hand if he needs to stop for a while.
Page 6: The Filling
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The dentist gets started working on Ralph's tooth... The dentist cleans the hole in Ralph's tooth. Then he puts a special filling over the hole, making Ralph's tooth almost as good as new! Ralph is still a bit sleepy, so he doesn't really notice too much of what's happening. Take a closer look... The dentist finds the hole in Ralph's tooth. He cleans around the hole in the tooth. Then the dentist puts a filling over the hole. Dentist: "All done Ralph! How are you feeling?" Ralph: "I'm fine! Do I get a sticker?" Dentist: "I think you earned one!" Ralph picks out a superhero sticker!
Page 7: Healthy Teeth
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Ralph feels back to normal after about 5 minutes, and he and his Mum get ready to go home. Before they go, Ralph's Mum has a question for the dental nurse... Mum: "How can we make sure Ralph's teeth stay healthy?" Nurse: "Great question! There are 3 key ways you can keep your teeth healthy... Number 1: The most important thing is to limit how often you have sugary snacks. It's OK to have them sometimes, as a treat. Number 2: Brush your teeth twice a day - first thing in the morning, and right before you go to bed. Use a toothpaste with fluoride in it, to help keep your teeth strong! Number 3: It's also important to see the dentist regularly, so they can make sure your teeth and gums are keeping healthy!" Mum: "We'll do that! Goodbye!" Nurse: "See you next time Ralph!" Ralph: "Thank you! Bye!"
Page 8: Back Cover
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Ralph the Bear's Trip to the Dentist — produced by the University of Dundee School of Dentistry in association with R A Medical Services Ltd.
Parents' questions
Common questions from parents about how a child visits the dentist, especially where inhalation sedation (“happy air”) is involved.
Is inhalation sedation safe for children?
Inhalation sedation (also called "relative analgesia" or "happy air") uses a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen breathed through a small nasal mask. It has been used in UK dental practices for over 50 years and is considered one of the safest forms of dental sedation for children. Your child stays awake, can talk to the dentist throughout, and recovers within a few minutes of the mask being removed.
Will my child remember the visit?
Children usually remember very little of the procedure itself — the sleepy air has a mild amnesic effect — but they will remember being brave and getting their sticker afterwards. Most children describe the experience as feeling "floaty", "tingly" or "dreamy", similar to Ralph in the story.
How long does the appointment take?
The sedation itself takes about 30–60 minutes, but the whole appointment (including the check-up, settling in, and recovery) is usually 60–90 minutes. Your dentist will give you a more precise estimate based on the treatment your child needs.
Can I stay in the room with my child?
Yes — most UK dental practices welcome a parent or carer in the treatment room throughout. Your presence is reassuring for your child and lets you ask the dentist any questions in real time.
How do I prepare my child beforehand?
Reading this story together in the days before the appointment is the single most helpful thing you can do. Avoid using words like "needle", "drill" or "hurt" — the dental team will use child-friendly words such as "sleepy air", "magic wand" and "tingly cream" (as in the story). Make sure your child has had a light breakfast unless your dentist has specifically asked otherwise.
What happens afterwards? Are there any side effects?
Recovery is very quick — most children feel back to normal within 5 minutes of the mask being removed. Nausea is uncommon. Your child can usually eat, drink and return to school the same day. The dental team will give you aftercare instructions specific to the treatment your child had.
For dental practices
Want a print-ready PDF to hand out in reception, or interested in the inhalation-sedation equipment featured in this story? Get in touch — we'd be happy to help.
Contact our teamParents can also try our other resources
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- → Getting Started with Inhalation Sedation