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Advanced
Education Clinics:
Pediatric Dentistry
What
is Pediatric Dentistry?
Pediatric
Dentistry is an
age-defined specialty
that provides both
primary and specialty
comprehensive preventive
and therapeutic oral
health care for infants
and children through
adolescence, including
those with special
health care needs.
This specialty emphasizes
the prevention and
interception of oral
diseases through early
intervention and
comprehensive preventive
practices.
Become
a Patient
The Department of
Pediatric Dentistry
accepts new patients from
ages 0 to 17 all year
round and there is no
additional screening
required to become a
patient of our clinics.
To request
an appointment by email,
please send your name,
child's name, age and
contact phone number to pediatricdent@lsuhsc.edu. Otherwise,
call one of the numbers
below.
You can
print and fill out this Medical History form and
bring it with you to your
initial appointment.
Please call
504-941-8201
to make an appointment.
If you are a
referring dentist, please
fax one of the referral
forms below to the desired
clinic.
Referral
form for
Dental School
Clinic: fax to
504-941-8200
We try our
best to accommodate
emergencies, including
walk-in emergencies, in
the most timely manner
without inconveniencing
our scheduled patients.
Services Provided:
The services provided by
the Department of
Pediatric Dentistry at the
LSUHSC School of Dentistry
include:
- comprehensive oral
examinations,
professional teeth
cleanings, radiographs
and professional
fluoride applications
- sealants (a protective
layer of resin on the
grooves of teeth to
prevent decay)
- dental restorations
(white fillings, silver
fillings, white caps,
silver caps)
- pulp therapy
(management of pain in
the nerves of the teeth)
- space maintainers (to
hold space for permanent
teeth if baby teeth are
taken out early)
- interceptive
orthodontics and
guidance of eruption
(early and selective
management of dental
crowding or spacing
problems in children so
that permanent teeth
erupt in a more
favorable and esthetic
position)
- diagnosis and
management and/or
referral for pathologic
lesions in the mouth of
children
- management of trauma
to primary (baby) and
permanent teeth
- interdepartmental care
coordination with other
specialties of dentistry
on a case by case basis
It is
natural for children to
feel apprehension and even
exhibit uncooperative
behavior for a dental
appointment and our
doctors and staff members
make every effort to
provide care for children
in a compassionate and
friendly manner. The
doctors in our clinics
also use advanced behavior
management techniques to
help children better
tolerate the dental care
provided. These techniques
include:
- Tell-Show-Do:
The dentist or assistant
explains to the child
what is to be done,
shows an example on a
tooth model or the
child's finger and then
the procedure is done to
the child's tooth.
- Positive
Reinforcement:
Rewards the child who
displays cooperative
behavior with
complements, praise, a
pat on the shoulder, or
a small prize.
- Voice Control:
The attention of the
disruptive child is
redirected by a change
in the tone and volume
of the dentist's voice.
- Mouth props:
A device is placed in
the child's mouth to
prevent closure of the
child's teeth on dental
equipment.
- Hand and/or
head holding by
dentist, dental
assistant, or parent:
An adult keeps a child's
body still so the child
cannot grab the
dentist's hand or sharp
dental tools. This is to
ensure patient safety.
- Medical
Immobilization:
The child is placed in a
restraining device made
of cloth and Velcro.
This is to ensure that
the child does not hurt
himself/herself by
his/her movements.
- Nitrous Oxide
Sedation:
Nitrous oxide ("laughing
gas") is a medication
breathed through a nose
mask to relax a nervous
child and enable him/her
to better tolerate
dental treatment. The
child will remain awake
but is expected to be
relaxed and calm. The
nitrous oxide is
breathed out of the
child's body within a
few minutes of being
turned off. We recommend
an adult hold the
child's hand as they
leave the clinic.
- Oral Sedation:
Sedative drugs may be
recommended to help your
child receive quality
dentistry in a safe
manner if other behavior
management techniques do
not work.
- General
Anesthesia:
The dentist performs the
dental treatment with
the child anesthetized
in the hospital
operating room at
Children's Hospital.
Children
with Special Health
Care Needs
Our doctors work in
consultation with other
medical specialists in
order to provide oral
health care for children
who have special health
care needs, such as
complex medical
problems, behavioral
problems and
developmental problems.
Treatment
Fees
The Department of
Pediatric Dentistry
accepts Louisiana
Medicaid. No
additional fees are
required to be paid for
procedures that are
covered by Louisiana
Medicaid. However, your
child may need other
services, and the fees
for those services will
be identified to you.
We are
also an Assurant Dental
Provider.
Who
Provides the Care:
Our doctors are first-
and second-year
residents, who are
already licensed
dentists. However, due
to their motivation and
interest in specializing
in the dental care for
children, they choose to
continue their education
in the specialty of
pediatric dentistry.
They always treat
children under the
supervision of faculty
members who already are
pediatric dentists.
Location:
LSUHSC School of
Dentistry
4th floor
Clinic Building
1100
Florida Avenue
New
Orleans LA 70119
Hours:
8:00 am – 12:00 pm and
1:00 pm – 4:30 pm
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