Dental Care for Children

Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in childhood. One in four
Irish preschool children have decay and over half of Irish children develop decay by the age of 5 in non-fl uoridated areas. Dental decay can be
painful; it disturbs eating and sleeping patterns and is distressing for parents and children. It impacts on the development of adult teeth, self esteem, aesthetics and on overall growth and development. Early loss of  primary teeth can cause space loss, leading to a crowded adult dentition. 

Acute dental infection may require urgent hospital admission. “Primary teeth are important and decay can be prevented” says Dr Rose-Marie Daly Consultant Paediatric Dentist in Kerry.

A Paediatric Dentist is akin to a“Paediatrician of Dentistry”. Paediatric dentists have a special range of skills and knowledge to meet the individual dental requirements of children and adolescents.

They also provide dental care for children with medical problems and physical or intellectual impairment. Dr Daly completed 5 years of
postgraduate clinical and academic training in order to focus on providing both primary and specialist dental care for children.

She was appointed as Consultant in Paediatric Dentistry in the Bon Secours
Hospital in Tralee in March 2010. Her practice is limited to paediatric  entistry
and she treats children between 0-16 years. This is extended to 18 years for
individuals with disability.

Kerry Paediatric Dental Practice is designed to provide an enjoyable, pleasant setting for children’s dentistry. It offers a full range of behaviour management options including behaviour shaping, inhalation sedation and
general anaesthetic. Behaviour shaping involves gradually showing children how to accept dental care and reinforces good behaviour with praise and treats.

Inhalation sedation is used for nervous children to help reduce anxiety. The child remains awake and responsive at all times. General Anaesthetic is used for children who are too young or anxious to cooperate.

Dr Daly says “a common misconception amongst Irish parents is that children don’t need a check up until the school dentist sends an appointment in 2nd class”. More than half of Irish children already have decay by this age. She strongly recommends that all children should have their fi rst dental visit
by 12 months. When parents receive appropriate instruction on hygiene, fluoride, feeding practices and pacifier use dental disease can be prevented.
Early dental visits protect children from dental disease and help develop positive attitudes towards dentistry for life.