1. NAVODAYA DENTAL COLLEGE
DEPARTMENT OF PEDODONTICS
STAFF NAME – Dr NAVEEN KUMAR
Professor
TOPIC NAME – SETTING UP A PEDIATRIC DENTAL CLINIC
2. INTRODUCTION
Dentistry for children is not difficult but different from that for
adults
According to Braham and Morris,” The environment should
encourage children to have the parents side and well facilitate
separation when child is transferred to the dentaloperation”
Pedodontic clinic designing :
1. Children behave, expect and relate to the surroundingsmuch
differently so we have to design the set up of the clinic.
2. Pleasant visit to dental office promote trust and confidence in a
child.
3. The dentists goal along with the staff must to be help all
children feel good about visiting theclinic.
3. Following aspects must be considered
1. Space provision
2. Reception at the frontdesk.
3. Waiting area
4. Attrire and presentation of the clinicstaff.
5. Colors, smells and sound.
6. Instructions for the children/parents.
7. Readiness to accept children as theyare.
8. Gifts and rewards.
9. Audio-visual aids for entertainment.
10. Team approach.
4. Space provision/play area:
Children usually do not sit in one place, so they require
some empty spaces to move around.
Necessary the empty space for kipping interesting things
like a fish tank, it is better way to engage them and relive
their anxiety of dental check-up or treatment.
5. Front Desk:
1.Initial dental visit of the children are unsure of
what is going to happen,If a friendly
welcome,cheerful conversation and playful
atmoshphere then child become greet.
2.So the receptionist should possess communication
skills to deals withchildren effectively.
3.He/She must call every by his/her name and
converse about the topic of their interests and engage
them in conversation due to this relieve their dental
anxiety.
.
6. Waiting Area:
1. It is necessary that the waiting
time of a child in the dental clinic
is made pleasant. Often ,children n
having to wait for long time and
become bored.
2.If waitng time is spent in playing
with interesting and smarter game
due to this they will become refresh
and happy mood just before entering
the dental clinic operatory.
3.They are more likely to be co-operative forthe
treatment and relieve the dental anxiety
7. Attire And Presentation Of The Clinic Staff:
children have mostely white coat anxiety so avoid of the a
typical attire of dental staff.
Make an attempt to meet a child casually in consulting room,
take abrief
history and assesses the behavior.
Finally the child to dental chair after showing around
the clinic and meeting staff.
8. Colors, Smells AndSounds:
1.Children imagine and accept bold,
bright fresh color like yellow, red, blue,
green, orange, pink and dislike such as
grey, black, white and brown etc
2.Smells of spirit, eugenol,
acrylic and waxes are may be
irritated tochildren.
3.The voice of the air-rotor handpiece, ultrasonic
cleaner can be disturbing too.
Hence it is bestto mask these sound by use of light instrumental
music.
9. Instructions For Children And Parents:
1.The notice boards in the consulting room must carry instructions for parents before
dental visit of children as well as certain post treatment instructions.These instructions
are
Do not tell your child about pain, injections etc in the firstplace.
Do not tell your child something like you don’t brush properly,doctor will
give u an injections or teeth will beremoved.
Dont voice your own fears about pain bloodetc.
Dont promise him/her in advance about the time the doctor would take to
treat, the pain he/she might getetc.
Give your doctor enough time to talk to your child.
Report to the doctor any past negativeexperience.
10. Gifts And Rewards:
Give a child a token of apprecition for good work witha small gifts such as pencil,
dolls, carsetc.
Gifts means it is freely given and is not earned by the recipient.
Reward means it is not a prize, its compensation for the effort somebody has
made.
Even calling a child a Good boy or a Good girl or a drawing a star onhis/her hand
can work like reward.
ever bribe the child before treatment.
11. Audiovisual Aids for entertainment
1.Children forget themselves while watching cartoon films.
2.It is a good idea to have a camera attached to a TV set displaying the childon
the chairs as children do love watchingthemselves.
12. Team Approach:
1. The team should work with a
flexible approach , learn communication skills to
deal with children effectively and bepositive.
2.The initial visits are sufficient for ascertaining the child
the cooperationand diagnosis and treatment planning.
3.The whole team should work with a plan for each visit
of a child like plan for subsequent visit if an
uncooperative child.
13. Design Of Equipment:
1.A sufficient number of instruments, mouth props
and such to treat a large patientvolume.
2.Brush up sinks at graduated heights.
3.Hard surface floor under operatorychairs.
4.Foot control for operatory sinks.
5.A colorful towel to cover the restrainedchild.
6.A camera to take excellent first examinationphotograph
7.equipment must be accomodated to child and not viceversa
14. Additional Considerations in
Pedodontic clinic
Ground or first floor location if possible; an elevator if above first floor
Designated play area for young children in reception rooms
Horseshoe traffic pattern in which children are called to operation
from onedoor and exit by other
At least 1(preferably 2) quiet operatories for performing lengthy
procedures with sound proofing.
15. Wallpapers to take wear and tear of small hands better than paintedwalls.
A TV/VCP mounted on awall.
Arcade style video games or the play may be such that it develops interest of all
ages
Stuffed animals, puppets serve as distraction and pleasure.
Negative sound can cause anxiety. Good sound insulation is must.
16. Fear promoting instruments should be located in inconspicuous positions.
Dental chairs which are narrow and thin backed enable dentist and assistant
to sit closer to thework.
Cleanliness and neatness are important(it encourages or discourages
confidence)
