October 23, 2024, 11:16 am | Read time: 3 minutes
In the third episode of “FITBOOK Experts,” pediatric dentist Dr. Anne Heinz explains how the treatment of young patients differs from that of adults, how she takes away children’s fears, and what the so-called Turner syndrome is all about.
When young patients enter Dr. Anne Heinz’s dental practice, they are sure to be amazed. Instead of white, bare walls, they are greeted by colorful, Disney-inspired rooms and a cheerful dentist reminiscent of a Disney princess. However, Dr. Anne Heinz treats children who are not yet able to overcome their fear of visiting the dentist with a great deal of patience and empathy. This is how she manages to take away “99 percent of children’s fears,” explains the expert. Find out below which dental treatments Dr. Anne Heinz most frequently performs on children and which costs are covered by statutory health insurance in Germany.
“Surgical interventions are sometimes necessary even in children
FITBOOK: How does pediatric dentistry differ from dentistry for adults?
Dr. Anne Heinz: “The exciting thing, but also the sad thing, is that all areas of dentistry can also be found in pediatric dentistry. This means we start with small fillings, but it can also escalate to major surgical procedures, such as removing cysts or treating tongue-ties. And so we can actually cover the entire spectrum of dentistry, just in millimeter form.”
Is a filling worthwhile for milk teeth?
“It depends on the age whether a filling or treatment of milk teeth is still worthwhile. If we know that the milk tooth will remain in the mouth naturally for a maximum of six months, there are alternatives to drilling that are much more comfortable for children. However, if we know that the tooth actually has to last another five or six years as a placeholder or for phonetics, i.e., speech development, we make every effort to preserve as many milk teeth as possible.”
“Turner’s tooth due to untreated diseased milk teeth
What can happen if a diseased baby tooth is not treated?
“The worst thing that can happen if you don’t treat a milk tooth that is diseased is that the germs will spread to the permanent tooth underneath. This is known as Turner’s tooth. This means that the permanent tooth comes out already diseased.”
How are milk teeth anesthetized?
“We use a cream to put milk teeth and gums to sleep efficiently. At best, it tastes like strawberries or coconut. Then, as with adults, there is a small ‘mosquito bite,’ and then the whole tooth falls asleep.”
These pediatric dental treatments are covered by health insurance
Which dental treatments for children are covered by health insurance?
“Patients with statutory health insurance are entitled to economical, appropriate, and adequate care. Statutory health insurance covers very simple fillings of basic quality.”
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“Taking away children’s fears with time and empathy
How do you deal with young, anxious patients?
“I’m fortunate to still have a childlike spirit. That’s why I think I can adapt well when a child comes into my practice with great anxiety. I try to talk to the child openly and at eye level about what exactly is scaring them. Because sometimes it’s not the dentist as such, in this case, me, but perhaps a smell or a taste or a certain device that they don’t know what it actually does. The moment we take the time and show empathy for the children, we manage to allay their fears in 99 percent of cases. For the few cases where this approach doesn’t work, we can resort to techniques such as hypnosis or nitrous oxide sedation, or even treat the children under general anesthesia.”