Windsor dentist teams up with dragon to make oral hygiene fun for kids

After brushing a dragon's teeth sitting down in the dentist's chair doesn't seem so scary.

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A Windsor dentist is going to great lengths to bite back against the scary stereotypes associated with oral hygiene by making each child's first experience with him a fun one.

"Once you get kids relaxed and in a positive frame of mind it's usually very easy to get everything taken care of," explained Dr. Mark Luvisotto who uses his knowledge of cartoon characters, fun props and high fives to set their minds at ease.

On Friday morning Dayle Parungao brought her two-year-old twins Ellie and Eddie to Luvisotto's office and loved the way he took them for a spin on the dentist's chair.

 "Instead of making it a place that's kind of scary and unfamiliar, by turning it into a ride ... it's an exciting atmosphere for them," she said.

The visit will help her kids be confident the next time they have to come in for a check-up, she added.

"Being able to bring them here now, before they have to sit down in that big chair and open their mouth wide for someone they don't know, makes them feel really comfortable."

Adriana Folcan and her 19-month-old daughter Abigail also stopped by the office. By introducing her daughter to the dentist so young, she hopes to make brushing and flossing something to look forward to rather than a "torturous experinece."

"Nobody likes coming to the dental office so having such a nice, comfortable experience is everything, especially when you're introducing the little ones to it is important," she added.

Luvisotto is hopeful his approach will make dentistry more welcoming for both parents and children.

"At the end of it they're happy and they're picking out a prize from the prize box so everybody is winning."