Pediatric Dentistry: The Challenge Lies in Making Dental Visits Less Frightening
“I must be cheerful because motivation and a positive atmosphere are crucial. We need to cheer the children up.”
Everyone has likely visited a dentist at some point. However, why are some people afraid of seeing the dentist? Why do dental procedures make many people apprehensive? Even adults may be hesitant about visiting the dentist, so one can only imagine how anxious children might feel. In this edition of MedPark Stories, we speak with Dr. Ann Chianchitlert, DDS, a pediatric dentistry specialist, as she discusses her insights and recommendations regarding dental treatment for young ones. We will also delve into her background and story.
Inspiration from instructors at the Faculty of Dentistry
Dr. Ann shares that she enjoyed playing doctor as a child because she wanted to heal people. When she reached high school, most of her friends chose to study medicine, but Dr. Ann opted for dentistry instead. This option for dentistry was because she had a friend already enrolled in medical school and related how challenging medicine was (you could say she chose wisely).
“When I started studying at the Faculty of Dentistry at Chulalongkorn University, we had inspiring professors who taught us the essence of patient-centered care. We acquired clinical knowledge, but the real challenge was managing patients. Pediatric dentistry involves filling cavities, extracting teeth, and handling children reluctant to undergo dental procedures. In English, we call this "Behavior Management.”
Due to the intriguing and challenging nature of the skill, Dr. Ann decided to further her studies in pediatric dentistry at Boston University in the United States. She learned new techniques, including complex pediatric dental procedures under anesthesia. The university provided in-depth education on growth and development, enabling Dr. Ann to apply this knowledge in many aspects of her work.
Pediatric Dentistry Differs from Adult Dentistry
Dr. Ann explains that most people avoid dental visits for fear of pain. With children having even greater fears than adults, pediatric dentistry focuses on familiarizing children with dental visits.
“Every time a child patient comes to see me, we do not just count the cavities; we assess their behavior to plan how to make them accept the treatment. If treatment on a regular dental chair is impossible, we opt for treatment under anesthesia.”
MedPark Hospital Dental Center has a specialized, fully equipped room for dental procedures under anesthesia, staffed by pediatric anesthesiologists and dental professionals to cater to young patients.
“Optimally, children should have dental check-ups every six months. During these visits, we examine their teeth, symptoms, dental indications, facial structure, jaw growth, and occlusion to identify and address issues promptly. Early intervention helps prevent future problems, such as crossbites, underbites affecting speech and chewing, and facial asymmetry.”
In addition, another area where dentists can contribute to treatment is sleep disorders, which the pediatric dental center at MedPark is prioritizing. Sleep disorders can lead to slow growth, emotional issues like hyperactivity, irritability, lack of concentration, bedwetting, even in older kids, and other future conditions in adulthood.
“If there are findings suggesting sleep problems, such as a very narrow upper jaw, a noticeably small lower jaw, abnormal tooth wear, asymmetrical bite, or if the child snores or breathes loudly during sleep, we recommend seeing a specialist.”
The Pediatric Dental Center at MedPark uses child-appropriate tools in dental procedures. For instance, in cases of a very narrow jaw, there are devices to widen it. If the jaw has receded significantly, there are tools to adjust its position to promote proper growth direction. These procedures are more facile and successful in children.
Proud to Help Children Overcome Fear of the Dentist
“Treating children requires a lot of care. The challenge is managing the emotions of both the child and myself. Some days, I might feel unwell or upset, but when it is time to work, I must set those feelings aside. I need to be cheerful because motivation and a positive atmosphere are crucial. We must cheer the children up because we are leading them to do something they do not like.”
Dr. Ann's dedication to her young patients leads parents to recognize and greet her outside the hospital. Being a pediatric dentist entails seeing your patients for a long time, from childhood to growing up. Hence, they are like your family members. It is always heartwarming when patients or parents say, “We miss Dr. Ann dearly.”
A Love for Myriad Activities
Dr. Ann enjoys traveling and engaging in fun activities like standup paddleboarding and cycling. She also loves studying, which might seem unusual. She says that learning, attending lectures, and acquiring new information makes her feel good, almost like there is a burst of feel-good chemicals.
Before concluding, Dr Ann offers advice for parents on maintaining the oral health of their children:
“Good, basic oral hygiene applies to everyone, regardless of age, includes brushing, flossing, and most importantly, visiting the dentist every six months. If there are additional issues like teeth grinding, abnormal tooth wear, or loud breathing during sleep, it is advisable to inform the dentist. Early intervention can mitigate future problems.”
