PGI starts dental treatment for young children

The Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) has started offering dental care clinic for children as young as two years old. According to the doctors of oral health sciences, PGIMER, the treatment of such children is done under complete anesthesia.

The Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) has started offering dental care clinic for children as young as two years old.

HT Image

According to the doctors of oral health sciences, PGIMER, the treatment of such children is done under complete anesthesia. "It is difficult to treat the young children of age less than five years due to various reasons such as communication problem and they don't remain stable on the chair," said Dr Ashima Goyal, professor, oral health sciences centre.

According to various national studies, more than 50% of the children below the age of six years suffer from dental cavities in India. "In a recent study conducted at oral health sciences centre, it was concluded that bottle feeding at night, 'at will' breast feeding and practices such as kissing the child on lips, consumption of carbonated beverages predisposes a child to development of dental caries," said Goyal.

The department had collaborated with the anesthesia department to carry out the procedures, Goyal said, adding that, "We use the anesthetic drugs which are considered very safe for children. The entire procedure takes 30-45 minutes and the patient gains consciousness within 15 minutes of the procedure," she said. The clinic is being run once a week.

Australia, Russia, Dubai and Nairobi would interact with the delegates.