http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8112603.stm
Came across this interestinig article debating the need for Childrens dentistry. This is all well and good and I understand the difficult balance in treating children between creating a fear through a possible ‘bad experience’ and helping get them out of pain. Of course there are many techniques used to reduce the element of stress for the child which work very well gaining their confidence and often making them excellent future dental patients.
BUT there is an issue here. that is nnot mentionned at all in article….. DENTAL DECAY IS A PREVENTABLE DISEASE, children do not just get it by choice or by ‘nature’ it is brought upon them by poor diet (high in sugar content and frequency) and neglect of toothbrushing (fluoride and removal of plaque).
So although we maybe debating what dentists should be doing or not doing we have to remember that parents need to step up to the plate and take responsibility for the care and prevention of their childrens teeth.
