Paediatric Dental Service
What services do we provide?
We are a Paediatric Dental Specialised Service, experienced in working with and providing care for children who may require additional support or additional dental expertise.
What Services Do We Provide?
Our team have a wealth of experience in working with children and providing dental care for those who need additional support or expertise. The team includes those with a Special Interest in Paediatric Dentistry, as well as Paediatric Dental Specialists and Consultant staff who lead in the care and in the services that we provide.
Our team manages a range of conditions including:
- Caries
- Periodontal disease
- Dental trauma
- Dental Anomalies
- Hypodontia [missing teeth]
- Tooth surface loss
- Tooth structure anomalies
- Soft tissue lesions
- Poor prognosis first permanent molars in the mixed dentition
- Severe dental anxieties
- Ongoing care for special needs children: our service provides ongoing care for Special Needs Children. We can work with you and your child to encourage regular visits and build a positive rapport. Our friendly team have lots of experience of working with children with special needs.
Treatment Modalities
According to the clinical needs of our patients we offer treatment under:
Inhalation sedation
Inhalation sedation is used to support children to receive dental treatment. It is sometimes called laughing gas, happy air or gas and air. It is often used for those who feel anxious or have a strong gag reflex.
Most treatment can be provided with support from inhalation sedation. It is considered a very safe form of treatment with minimal risks and side effects that the dental team will discuss with you during the assessment appointment.
Intravenous sedation with midazolam
Intravenous (IV) sedation is a service provided to older children (typically 12-14+ depending on height, weight, and maturity) with more severe anxiety or those needing more complicated dental treatment. Sedative medicine is given through a cannula (needle) in the hand or arm. It produces a more profound sedation compared to inhalation sedation. This service is available at a limited number of sites so you may be required to travel for assessment and treatment.
General anaesthesia
General Anaesthetic is where medication is used to make a patient unconscious for treatment. It is sometimes referred to as going to sleep or having an operation. This is carried out in a hospital setting with the support of the anaesthetic team. It is useful to support very young children or those with additional needs or anxiety who are unable to cope with treatment. However, not all treatment can be provided during a general anaesthetic. For many patients this treatment will consist of extractions only.
General Anaesthetic treatment is provided at Birmingham Dental Hospital, Walsall Manor Hospital and Sandwell General Hospital. Factors such as where you live, your child’s health, treatment needs and waiting times will be considered when selecting the most appropriate hospital. Those with complex medical needs may need to be referred to Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
Non-pharmacological adjuncts:
Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) aims to support patients to reduce and manage their dental anxiety. It is a talking therapy that address concerns around dental treatment and empowers patients by providing coping strategies.
This treatment is delivered through multiple appointments with a specially qualified CBT nurse, building towards dental treatment. It has been shown to work well in children. As it takes time it is often not suitable for those with ongoing pain or infection.
Multi-disciplinary teams:
The paediatric dental team is integral to many multi-disciplinary clinics. We work alongside other teams in:
- Mixed-Dentition clinics
- Hypodontia clinics
- Dental anomaly clinics
We also work alongside:
- Child Friendly Dental Practices: some patients referred to our service will be seen in one of the many children friendly practices that work with our organisation. These are high street dental practices who have a special interest in treating children and have specialist training from our service.