We are delighted to announce that our dentist Sarah Mack has an article published in Dentistry magazine - click here to read in full.
Sarah is the founder of Little Smiles, a dedicated children's clinic at Elmsleigh House. With a deep understanding of child psychology and years of experience working with anxious young patients, Sarah was asked to write an article for Dentistry magazine (7 February 2024), a well-respected online publication keeping dentists updated in the dental industry.
In her article she shares tips on how dentists can adapt to treat young patients, creating dental-confident children and help tackle the childhood oral health crisis, which has worsened over the past 10 years. She reports rising dental decay in young children and waiting lists of over 18 months for children to be treated in secondary care settings (hospital and clinics) in the NHS.
Sarah reports that the most common barrier to seeking treatment is dental phobia, and it takes time, confidence and patience to build a rapport with anxious children.
Sarah Mack herself is a Dental Phobia Certified dentist as she offers experience as well as inhalation sedation to help children access dental treatment - click here to verify.
In her article Sarah outlines some simple things dentists can do to unlock confidence in anxious young patients, using her experience with treating children at Elmsleigh House Dental Clinic and her reason for launching Little Smiles children's dental clinic.
Before the child comes in for treatment, it is helpful to ask the parent/guardian/carer questions, such as the child's hobbies, favourite colours, information about their phobia and previous dentistry and experiences - this is what we do at Little Smiles. She also suggests to reduce barriers to attendance, such as offering Saturday or after school appointments.
Sarah suggests dentists use their imagination when treating anxious children to help put them at ease. The dentist chair offers a fabulous opportunity - it can be a spaceship, aeroplane, helicopter or something related to the child's hobby! She shows children what she is going to do on a set of large demo teeth in a language they can understand. This is also an opportunity to show children and parents areas being missed when brushing, or good brushing technique.
Fun treatment glasses and an award following treatment, such as our Elmsleigh lion awarded for bravery, will reinforce a positive message about their visit.
Dentists can also support the parent/guardian/carer whose anxious child is attending for treatment. However, the focus is on helping the child overcome their anxiety. Post-treatment care and support is important for information and advice. Information sheets given out can reassure what to expect following treatment and provide pain relief advice. Follow-up calls after treatment can be helpful if needed.
When barriers to treatment cannot be overcome with reassurance, your dentist could offer inhalation sedation to enable access to treatment . At Little Smiles, Sarah is qualified in inhalation sedation (also known as happy gas, nitrous oxide or relative anaesthesia), which is the mildest form of sedation. It is a blend of nitrous oxide and oxygen that is administered via a mask placed over the child's nose; masks can be child-sized and flavoured. Sometimes for children there is no need to give additional local anaesthesia via injections.
Inhalation sedation is an extremely safe and effective sedation that makes children feel totally relaxed throughout treatment.
Sarah ends the article:
"Beyond treatment, a holistic approach extends to empowering children (and their parents/guardians) with the knowledge and tools they need for excellent oral health. By instilling good habits early on, we can help lay the foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles."
To book your child into our Little Smiles children's dental clinic, contact our Welcome Team on 01252 713797 or email info@elmsleighhouse.co.uk. You can also contact us via our online form.
Dentists can refer children to Little Smiles via our online referral form or can contact our Patient Coordinator, Georgie Price, on 01252 595503 or email georgie@elmsleighhouse.co.uk.
