Paediatric Dentistry

Overview

What is Paediatric Dentistry?

Paediatric dentistry is a branch of dentistry that from infancy through to adolescence, exclusively looks after the oral health of children. It covers everything from diagnosing, treating, preventing and managing the unique dental conditions that arise as a child’s teeth, gums and jaws develop.

A paediatric dentist is also referred to as a pedodontist and is a doctor who beyond specialised training at dental school, has received qualifications to understand the physical and emotional needs of young patients. Coupled with their deep technical capability, they are experts in child behaviour management and are skilled at creating a positive and non-threatening dental environment. This speciality ensures that formative dental experiences are comforting and educational, establishing a foundation for a lifetime of good oral health habits.

Types of Paediatric Dental Care

The scope of paediatric dentistry is comprehensive and address preventive measures in addition to curative treatments tailored to a child’s developmental stage. Forming the cornerstone of care is preventative dentistry, which performs professional cleanings, fluoride treatments and dental sealants. It also provides essential education for parents and children.

For existing problems, restorative dentistry provides gentle solutions such as tooth-coloured fillings, pulp therapy for primary teeth and custom crowns. Paediatric dentists provide further interceptive orthodontic care, monitoring jaw growth and tooth development which helps them identify and guide the correction of misalignments or bite issues at an optimal time.

For children in specific, parents need to be proactive with oral health. A child's first dental visit should be scheduled within six months of the first tooth erupting or by their first birthday, according to the American Academy of Paediatric Dentistry. Early visits acclimate a child to the dental setting while allowing for any early risks to be assessed.

Beyond routine checkups, parents should consult a paediatric dentist near them if they notice any persistent toothache or pain in the gums or jaw. Visible spots, stains or pits on the teeth should be investigated as that may indicate early decay. Delayed loss of baby teeth or delayed eruption of adult teeth, thumb-sucking or pacifier habits that continue past age three can have an impact on oral health. Any injury to the teeth such as chips, cracks or teeth that have been knocked loose, bleeding gums or bad breath that is not resolved with improved brushing, should be checked by a professional.

Creating a trusting and non-intimidating environment tailored to a child's need is always the first step. Comprehensive consultation discusses dental history, hygiene habits and any concerns with both parent and child. A gentle clinical examination of the child's mouth is performed, to assess the health of teeth, gums, soft tissues, jaw alignment and bite.

When a more detailed view is necessary, child-friendly digital X-rays may be used to diagnose cavities between teeth, assess developing teeth below the gums and evaluate bone health. This is done with modern equipment ensuring minimal radiation exposure. Dentists employ behavioural guidance techniques all throughout consultations. They use the "tell-show-do" method, to explain each step in an age-appropriate way before proceeding. This ensures the child's comfort and cooperation.

  • Fluoride varnish
  • Pit and fissure sealants
  • Pulp therapy
  • Pediatric crowns
  • Space maintainer
  • Operculectomy( treatment for delayed eruption)
  • Minor orthodontic corrections
  • Nitrous oxide-oxygen minimal sedation( laughing gas)
  • Full mouth rehabilitation under general anesthesia
  • Special needs children's dental care
  • Night grinding
  • Early Childhood Caries 
  • Dental Cavities and Tooth Infections
  • Gingivitis and Paediatric Gum Disease
  • Dental Trauma 
  • Developmental Dental Defects 
  • Teething Discomfort and Eruption Problems
  • Oral Habits 
  • Conditions linked to overall health

Prevention and education are at the core of what we do, alongside our aim to create first impressions that are overwhelmingly positive for children of all ages. At NMC, we understand that a child’s attitude towards oral are care are shaped by their early dental experiences most of the time.

Child-friendly spaces that help alleviate anxiety, our paediatric dental clinics across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah and Al Ain are designed to welcome all little patients. Our care process is comprehensive. We start with a preventive foundation where regular check-ups, professional cleanings and protective treatments like fluoride and sealants are emphasised and encouraged.

Education is key, and we take time to guide both children and parents on effective home care. Gentle and tailored treatment plans are offered by our specialists and age-appropriate behaviour guidance techniques are used. This includes positive reinforcement and distraction. To ensure comfort with appropriate pain management, we prioritise minimally invasive approaches.

Holistic and collaborative care pathways are in place at NMC, where a child’s overall health and development is considered. Working closely with orthodontists, paediatricians and other specialists within the NMC network, our paediatric dentists ensure care that’s coordinated and complete.

We provide prompt, compassionate care for emergency dental care and cover dental injuries or severe toothaches which offers peace of mind to parents when it’s needed most. Our integrated NMC network delivers expert care that’s empathetic, whether patients are searching for the best paediatric dental clinic across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah and Al Ain.

Paediatric dentists who are highly qualified consultants and who have undergone specialised trainings, lead our paediatric dentistry team. They are passionate about working with children and adept at building rapport with even the most apprehensive young patient, which is an extension of their clinical expertise.

Dedicated dental hygienists and assistants trained in paediatric care support our dentists by all contributing to a supportive, calm and positive clinic environment. Our specialists across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah and Al Ain ensure every visit helps build a child’s confidence and health.

FAQs

Find the Answer to Your Medical Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

A paediatric dentists complete an additional 2-3 years of specialised residency training after dental school. This training focuses exclusively on infants, children, adolescents and those with special healthcare needs. Advanced topics in child psychology, growth and development and specialised treatment techniques for primary teeth are all covered during this training.
Time is critical. We suggest you find the tooth, hold it by the crown and if its dirty, rinse it gently with milk or saline. Avoid scrubbing it and if possible, try to reinsert it into the socket. If not, place it in a container of milk or the child’s saliva. Contact your paediatric dental clinic immediately and seek emergency care. Getting to a dentist within 30-60 minutes offers the best chance of saving the tooth.
We would say using positive language is key. If you are able to frame the visit as an exciting opportunity to meet a new friend who will "count" and "shine" their teeth, this can do the trick. Words like "shot," "hurt," or "drill" should be avoided while reading children’s books about visiting the dentist can be very helpful.
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