Pediatric Dentistry
Pediatric Dentistry and the Smile of the Youngest
Pediatric Dentistry is the area that promotes the Oral Health of babies, children, adolescents and patients with special needs. It encompasses all the Dentistry specialities but is adapted to the reality of those for whom it was conceived.
The early visit to Paediatric Dentistry establishes a relationship between the Paediatric Dentist, the child and their carer. Furthermore, this consultation includes all aspects of Oral Health care in a comprehensive manner and is coordinated and centred on the family.
This is where the foundations are created so that there will be an increasing number of people who are aware and know how to look after their own Oral Health when they reach adulthood.
Dra. Maria Joana Castro
Médica Dentista
The first appointment
The first pediatric dentistry appointment should be made after the eruption of the first baby teeth or by the first year of life. Unfortunately, many parents do not make this appointment at this stage, possibly due to a lack of knowledge or possibilities.
In addition to establishing a relationship between the Paediatric Dentist, the child and the person responsible, a clinical evaluation is carried out during the first consultation. The following steps are taken:
- It is observed whether the general development and growth is age appropriate;
- The development and growth of the dental structures are examined;
- A clinical oral examination is conducted.
Finally, in this first meeting, the guidelines for Oral Health care are established throughout the child’s life.
How to control a child’s fear?
If even adults are afraid of visiting the dentist, is it so strange that children are also afraid? Sometimes the little ones are uncomfortable at the Paediatric Dentistry appointments and even cry.
At the Hugo Madeira Clinic, the Paediatric Dentistry team is prepared with behaviour control techniques, ranging from simple “show-explain-do” to, in more complex cases, conscious sedation or eventual recourse to general anaesthesia.
