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ePaper created 2016-10-12, 10:31:46 | version 1.38.0
| practice management Pedonomics: lasers in paediatric dentistry Author: Dr Imneet Madan, UAE We live in an era in which timeisthebasisformany decisions:whatsavestimeiswhatgetschosen.Intro- ducing better technology helps to work with time economics in paediatric dentistry. The recent term coined for this perspective of expanded thinking is “Pedonomics”.Pedonomicsreferstotheimpactofthe changing world of paediatric dentistry in the dental practice.1 Timeeconomicsgoeshandinhandwithpedonom- ics.Theselectivenichesofdentistryareexpandingfar more today than in the past years. Few reasons that accountfortheneedofthislevelofadvancedhealth- care are:2 1. Some parents who have their children later in life are referred to as drone parents. These parents self-educatealotviasocialnetworksandextensive internet research. With less inherent trust in healthcare providers, they generally form a strong opinion about the dental care of their children and are most demanding of their paediatric dentist. 2. This category of parents are often techno-savvy and are quite updated with latest technologies. They appreciate a “no pain, no drill, no memory” dentistry. 3. Caries rate in dentistry is ever-increasing, with a heightened frequency of cariogenic diet and a de- cline in caries prevention. 4. There are more and more general dentists that would “do the job” and only if it is mismanaged, would they refer the child to the specialist. In- creased availability of advanced technology can put an end to this trial practice. Lasers as game changers Lasers are introduced as excellent instruments in everyday dentistry. However, the idea of dentistry is generally connected to discomfort and pain in chil- dren’s minds. Any treatment trend that can help our practicetoremovethisconnectionbytheuseofcon- temporarytechnologiescanincreasepatientreferrals and treatment acceptance. Although the hand piece does remove the dental decay, it may also cause abrasion of the tooth struc- tureandasignificantamountofdiscomfortthatmay notbetakenverywellbythechildren.Inaddition,the vibrationandnoiseofthedrillcouldbeunpleasantto young ears, thereby lasers can prove a better tool as they do overcome all these fears of drill dentistry.3 Additional benefits must far supersede the costs and investments when it comes to completing the laser requirements of any practice. Patients’ perception of laser dentistry Generally, the treatment approach in paediatric dentistry is much different from adults. With La- sersbringingtheadditionalbenefitsofnocontact, no pressure, no drill, no anaesthesia and thereby a less negative perception of dentistry, higher success rates are likely to be seen. This is certainly because of an increased degree of satisfaction of the patients. Marketing protocols help us to see a larger number of patients per day, but to have these patients accept the proposed treatments better, it is advisable to introduce to them tools that can truly help. As appli- cable in any field, an experience that exceeds the ex- pectationswillmotivatethepatientstokeepappoint- © xavier gallego morell/Shutterstock.com 26 laser 3 2016 32016