Dr. Ashwin Jawdekar Professor and Head of Department
Department of Pedodontics
Pediatric Dentistry- a Broader Vision
“Pediatric dentistry is an age-defined specialty that provides both primary and comprehensive preventive and therapeutic oral health care for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health care needs.” (AAPD, 1999). However, this definition is now old and has certain omissions. The scope of Pediatric Dentistry has broadened and there is a need for Pediatric Dentists to work with a broader vision than that is stated in the AAPD definition.
Pediatric Dentistry is the branch of preventive medicine that helps identify and modify markers and risk factors for health concerns over a life-course perspective. For example, Pediatric Dentists witness Early Childhood Caries, a disease- probably the first of sugar overload- that manifests even in infants. Dietary counseling for sugar reduction can not only prevent tooth decay but also ensure the long term prevention of obesity and non-communicable diseases (diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, metabolic syndrome, etc.) based on a common risk factor approach. A pediatric dentist can witness disorders and correct the important functions such as breathing, mastication and swallowing which go a long way in establishing health. With the technological advances in the restorations it is now possible to design a smile of a child, too! Thus, Pediatric Dentists influence the overall personality and the confidence of a child even in the early childhood.
Pediatric Dentists play a vital role in sports safety and forensic science. Making children and their parents, and teachers aware of the risks involved in contact sports, the need to protect “trauma-prone profiles” (increased overjet) and introducing mouthguards are the key aspects of sports safety. Pediatric dentists can be whistle-blowers in child abuse and neglect cases and reporting of crimes, too. Pediatric Dentists lead health-promotion campaigns in communities, an example being the “Fit-for-School” programme which is underway in Philippines. Pediatric dentists have been a part of multidisciplinary teams for the management of conditions such as the cleft lip and palate. A Pediatric Dentist (that’s me!) proposed the National No Sugar Day which is accepted by other stakeholders including the Ministry of Health, Govt. Of India and Federation Dentaire Internationale; to be observed on November 1.
A pediatric dentist positively influences behaviours and attitude of a child towards health, in general. An early dental interaction can help a family deal with risk behaviours of children; be it the bottle feeding, consumption of sugar sweetened beverages, or even smoking, which have long term implications on health. Reducing dental anxiety and inculcating a positive dental behaviour are the attributes of the care provided by a Pediatric Dentist to a child.
The uniqueness of being a pediatric dentist lies in the fact that they introduce children to an experience of multidimensional well-being beyond oral health; while making a significant impact on the quality of life.