Avoiding anaesthesia: Treating kids at the chair

The Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne is helping children with severe dental conditions avoid treatment under general anaesthetic, with less invasive treatment at the chair.  

Six year old Lily De Cata was referred to RDHM to undergo day surgery for her numerous dental caries which required extensive treatment including dental restorations and extractions.  

Instead Lily was treated at the hospital’s Primary Care department which meant that she would undergo less invasive treatment at the chair.  

Lily’s mum, Nona de Cata said she was relieved that Lily didn’t have to go through treatment under anaesthetic.  

“As a parent I wanted to do what’s best for Lily,” Mrs de Cata said.  

“My dentist said Lily could either go under anaesthetic or they could fix her teeth one by one, and I chose the second option,” she said.  

In the last financial year (July 2014 – June 2015), oral health therapists from RDHM’s Primary Care team treated 34% of referrals at the chair, meaning that 324 of 956 children managed to avoid general anaesthetic and were treated at the chair instead.  

Oral health therapist, Jessica Buhagiar, said she made sure that both Lily and her parents understood the treatment that Lily would receive.  

“Lily was quite eager to have her treatment at the chair but her parents were at first concerned in regards to her behaviour in the chair and whether she would cope for procedures,” Ms Buhagiar said.  

“I’m always sure to explain the procedure step by step so there are no surprises to the patients, and using language that the child will understand. For example, the suction is known as Mr Thirsty and the drill is Mr Bumpy.”  

Ms Buhagiar said it was important to help kids be accepting of dental treatment at a young age.  

“If the patient has a positive experience in the chair, they will not be afraid to return for future dental experiences.”    

“Although this can be challenging at times, it is also very rewarding watching a young patient leave the clinic with a smile.”

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Dental Health Services Victoria is the state government’s leading oral health agency. The organisation aims to improve the oral health of all Victorians – particularly vulnerable groups and those most in need – by providing quality oral healthcare through The Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne and public dental clinics across Victoria.

For media enquiries, contact Mingsia Lee at 9341 1139 or Mingsia.lee@dhsv.org.au