For those who cannot maintain or receive traditional dental care, pediatric dentistry offers a compassionate, efficient alternative. Frequently, patients who are medically compromised, young children with multiple cavities or patients with behavioral concerns may be unable to complete standard dental regimens on their own. When treatment time is very long and there is extensive work involved, these people are better treated in a hospital setting. There is an anesthesiologist in charge of the anesthesia, and the dentist repairs the teeth in a controlled and ideal way. Almost all families, whose fears of going to the hospital for treatment might prevent them from choosing this option, are alleviated once treatment has been completed. Your child will not remember any of the dental treatment and can maintain a positive attitude toward visiting the dentist. The anesthesiologists are trained in dealing with children in a gentle, caring manner. Dentistry in the hospital may seem complicated, but it is very controlled and allows the dentistry to be completed under the best possible circumstances. In some cases, dental needs and medical problems may be intertwined, requiring the presence of both a doctor of medicine and a dentist. These cases require centralized, comprehensive care, and hospital dentistry can provide this.
Hospital dentistry is practiced, as the name suggests, within the hospital in which the patient is receiving other medical treatment. We treat patients in either The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia or Bryn Mawr Hospital. The appointments can be prepared in our office with our Hospital Coordinator. We treat both in-patients and out-patients, depending on the needs of the individuals.
Our pediatric dentists have received training specifically in hospital dentistry or through hospital-based courses and residency programs. Often, they have additional training in oral surgery and medicine. This combination of experience and education enables them to understand the complexities of their patients’ needs and health goals.
In terms of cost, the hospital anesthesia is generally controlled by medical insurance, and the dental portion is controlled by the dental insurance. There can be an out-of-pocket expense for this, but the long-term savings are much more beneficial.
If you have any questions about hospital dentistry or think that it may be necessary for you or for someone you love, please contact our OR Coordinator, Diane, in our office.
For more information, please refer to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.