Our Services
Parents are always welcome to join their children during appointments. We encourage it for all new patient exams and wellcare visits. Many times, babies and toddlers can even sit on a parent's lap for the exam! This is a wonderful opportunity for us to point out findings we come across during the exam. Many parents like to see exactly what we're referring to in their child's mouth or on the x-ray. We value this time to get to know the families who trust us with their dental care. As children get older and parents decide it's time to encourage independence, we welcome patients back on their own and let their parents enjoy a quiet moment to themselves in the waiting room!
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Cleanings
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Exams
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X-Rays
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Fluoride
TREATMENT:
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Fillings
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Crowns
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Pulpotomies (Baby Root Canals)
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Extractions
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Silver Diamine Fluoride
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Tongue & Lip Tie Releases
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Minimally-invasive techniques
SPECIAL NEEDS DENTISTRY
PREVENTATIVE CARE
EARLY INFANT ORAL CARE
Perinatal and infant oral health are essential to early intervention that results in good oral health. Pediatric dentists play an invaluable role in optimizing the oral health of infants, particularly through the establishment of a dental home, caries prevention, and management of common oral conditions.
Mothers with poor oral health may be at a greater risk of passing the bacteria which causes cavities to their young children. Mothers should never share utensils, cups, or food which can cause the transmission of cavity-causing bacteria to your children.
YOUR CHILD'S FIRST DENTAL VISIT
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Dental Association (ADA), and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) all recommend establishing a "Dental Home" for your child by one year of age. Children who have a dental home are more likely to receive appropriate preventive and routine oral health care.
You can make the first visit to the dentist enjoyable and positive. If old enough, your child should be informed of the visit and told that the dentist and their staff will explain all procedures and answer any questions. The less to-do concerning the visit, the better.
It is best if you refrain from using words around your child that might cause unnecessary fear, such as needle, pull, drill or hurt. Pediatric dental offices make a practice of using words that convey the same message, but are pleasant and non-frightening to the child.
SPECIAL NEEDS DENTISTRY
Every child needs routine dental care, but children with special needs have a higher risk of gum disease, oral trauma, and tooth decay. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, special health care needs includes any type of emotional, sensory, physical, behavioral, mental, cognitive, or developmental limiting condition or impairment that requires specialized services, medical management, and/or healthcare intervention. Whether your child has a condition that is developmental, congenital, or a result of a disease, great dental care is crucial to your child’s overall health. Regular professional cleanings and fluoride treatments are highly beneficial. Sealants can prevent tooth decay on the chewing surfaces of molars where four out of five cavities occur.
As providers of special needs dentistry, we understand the importance of compassionate care. Dr. Campbell and his team are focused on creating a stress-free environment for your child and for you. We work with you to come up with a treatment plan that will make it possible for your child to receive the dental care they need in a way that feels safe and comfortable for them. Sometimes, this means we may need to use sedation for your child’s safety.
PREVENTION
BRUSHING TIPS:
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Starting at birth, clean your child's gums with a soft cloth and water.
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As soon as your child's teeth erupt, brush them with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
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If they are under the age of 2, use a small "smear" of toothpaste.
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If they're 2-5 years old, use a "pea-size" amount of toothpaste.
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Be sure and use an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste and make sure your child does not swallow it.
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When brushing, the parent should brush the child's teeth until they are old enough to do a good job on their own.
FLOSSING TIPS:
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Flossing removes plaque between teeth and under the gumline where a toothbrush can't reach.
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Flossing should begin when any two teeth touch.
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Be sure and floss your child's teeth daily until he or she can do it alone.
PREVENTING CAVITIES
Good oral hygiene removes bacteria and the left over food particles that combine to create cavities. For infants, use a wet gauze or clean washcloth to wipe the plaque from teeth and gums. Avoid putting your child to bed with a bottle filled with anything other than water. See "Baby Bottle Tooth Decay" for more information.
For older children, brush their teeth at least twice a day. Also, watch the number of snacks containing sugar that you give your children.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends visits every six months to the pediatric dentist, beginning at your child’s first birthday. Routine visits will start your child on a lifetime of good dental health.
Your pediatric dentist may also recommend protective sealants or home fluoride treatments for your child. Sealants can be applied to your child’s molars to prevent decay on hard to clean surfaces.
SEALANTS
A sealant is a protective coating that is applied to the chewing surfaces (grooves) of the back teeth (premolars and molars), where four out of five cavities in children are found. This sealant acts as a barrier to food, plaque and acid, thus protecting the decay-prone areas of the teeth.
FLUORIDE
Fluoride is an element, which has been shown to be beneficial to teeth. However, too little or too much fluoride can be detrimental to the teeth. Little or no fluoride will not strengthen the teeth to help them resist cavities. Excessive fluoride ingestion by preschool-aged children can lead to dental fluorosis, which is a chalky white to even brown discoloration of the permanent teeth. Many children often get more fluoride than their parents realize. Being aware of a child’s potential sources of fluoride can help parents prevent the possibility of dental fluorosis.
Some of these sources are:
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Too much fluoridated toothpaste at an early age.
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The inappropriate use of fluoride supplements.
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Hidden sources of fluoride in the child’s diet.
Two and three year olds may not be able to expectorate (spit out) fluoride-containing toothpaste when brushing. As a result, these youngsters may ingest an excessive amount of fluoride during tooth brushing. Toothpaste ingestion during this critical period of permanent tooth development is the greatest risk factor in the development of fluorosis.
Excessive and inappropriate intake of fluoride supplements may also contribute to fluorosis. Fluoride drops and tablets, as well as fluoride fortified vitamins should not be given to infants younger than six months of age. After that time, fluoride supplements should only be given to children after all of the sources of ingested fluoride have been accounted for and upon the recommendation of your pediatrician or pediatric dentist.
Certain foods contain high levels of fluoride, especially powdered concentrate infant formula, soy-based infant formula, infant dry cereals, creamed spinach, and infant chicken products. Please read the label or contact the manufacturer. Some beverages also contain high levels of fluoride, especially decaffeinated teas, white grape juices, and juice drinks manufactured in fluoridated cities.
Parents can take the following steps to decrease the risk of fluorosis in their children’s teeth:
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Use baby tooth cleanser on the toothbrush of the very young child.
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Place only a pea sized drop of children’s toothpaste on the brush when brushing.
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Account for all of the sources of ingested fluoride before requesting fluoride supplements from your child’s physician or pediatric dentist.
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Avoid giving any fluoride-containing supplements to infants until they are at least 6 months old.
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Obtain fluoride level test results for your drinking water before giving fluoride supplements to your child (check with local water utilities).
Sedation Dentistry
NITROUS OXIDE
Some children are given nitrous oxide/oxygen, or what you may know as laughing gas, to relax them for their dental treatment. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is a blend of two gases, oxygen and nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is given through a small breathing mask which is placed over the child’s nose, allowing them to relax, but without putting them to sleep. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, recognizes this technique as a very safe, effective technique to use for treating children’s dental needs. The gas is mild, easily taken, then with normal breathing, it is quickly eliminated from the body. It is non-addictive. While inhaling nitrous oxide/oxygen, your child remains fully conscious and keeps all natural reflexes.
Prior to your appointment:
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Please inform us of any change to your child’s health and/or medical condition.
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Tell us about any respiratory condition that makes breathing through the nose difficult for your child. It may limit the effectiveness of the nitrous oxide/oxygen.
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Let us know if your child is taking any medication on the day of the appointment.
CONSCIOUS SEDATION
Conscious Sedation is recommended for apprehensive children, very young children, and children with special needs. It is used to calm your child and to reduce the anxiety or discomfort associated with dental treatments. Your child may be quite drowsy, and may even fall asleep, but they will not become unconscious.
There are a variety of different medications, which can be used for conscious sedation. The doctor will prescribe the medication best suited for your child’s overall health and dental treatment recommendations. We will be happy to answer any questions you might have concerning the specific drugs we plan to give to your child.
Prior to your appointment:
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Please notify us of any change in your child’s health and/or medical condition. Do not bring your child for treatment with a fever, ear infection or cold. Should your child become ill, contact us to see if it is necessary to postpone the appointment.
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You must tell the doctor of any drugs that your child is currently taking and any drug reactions and/or change in medical history.
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Please dress your child in loose fitting, comfortable clothing.
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Please make sure that your child goes to the bathroom immediately prior to arriving at the office.
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Your child should not have solid food for at least 6 hours prior to their sedation appointment and only clear liquids for up to 4 hours before the appointment.
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The child's parent or legal guardian must remain at the office during the complete procedure.
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Please watch your child closely while the medication is taking effect. Hold them in your lap or keep close to you. Do not let them "run around."
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Your child will act drowsy and may become slightly excited at first.
After the sedation appointment:
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Your child will be drowsy and will need to be monitored very closely. Keep your child away from areas of potential harm.
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If your child wants to sleep, place them on their side with their chin up. Wake your child every hour and encourage them to have something to drink in order to prevent dehydration. At first it is best to give your child sips of clear liquids to prevent nausea. The first meal should be light and easily digestible.
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If your child vomits, help them bend over and turn their head to the side to insure that they do not inhale the vomit.
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Because we use local anesthetic to numb your child’s mouth during the procedure, your child may have the tendency to bite or chew their lips, cheeks, and/or tongue and/or rub and scratch their face after treatment. Please observe your child carefully to prevent any injury to these areas.
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Please call our office for any questions or concerns that you might have.
OUTPATIENT GENERAL ANESTHESIA
Outpatient General Anesthesia is recommended for apprehensive children, very young children, and children with special needs that would not work well under conscious sedation or I.V. sedation. General anesthesia renders your child completely asleep. This would be the same as if he/she was having their tonsils removed, ear tubes, or hernia repaired. This is performed in a hospital or outpatient setting only. While the assumed risks are greater than that of other treatment options, if this is suggested for your child, the benefits of treatment this way have been deemed to outweigh the risks. Most pediatric medical literature places the risk of a serious reaction in the range of 1 in 25,000 to 1 in 200,000, far better than the assumed risk of even driving a car daily. The inherent risks if this is not chosen are multiple appointments, potential for physical restraint to complete treatment and possible emotional and/or physical injury to your child in order to complete their dental treatment. The risks of NO treatment include tooth pain, infection, swelling, the spread of new decay, damage to their developing adult teeth and possible life threatening hospitalization from a dental infection.
Prior to your appointment:
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Please notify us of any change in your child’s health. Do not bring your child for treatment with a fever, ear infection or cold. Should your child become ill, contact us to see if it is necessary to postpone the appointment.
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You must tell the doctor of any drugs that your child is currently taking and any drug reactions and/or change in medical history.
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Please dress your child in loose fitting, comfortable clothing.
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Your child should not have milk or solid food after midnight prior to the scheduled procedure and clear liquids ONLY (water, apple juice, Gatorade) for up to 6 hours prior to the appointment.
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The child’s parent or legal guardian must remain at the hospital or surgical site waiting room during the complete procedure.
After the appointment:
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Your child will be drowsy and will need to be monitored very closely. Keep your child away from areas of potential harm.
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If your child wants to sleep, place them on their side with their chin up. Wake your child every hour and encourage them to have something to drink in order to prevent dehydration. At first it is best to give your child sips of clear liquids to prevent nausea. The first meal should be light and easily digestible.
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If your child vomits, help them bend over and turn their head to the side to insure that they do not inhale the vomit.
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Prior to leaving the hospital/outpatient center, you will be given a detailed list of "Post-Op Instructions" and an emergency contact number if needed.