What we deliver in children’s dentistry
We care for children from the first visit in early childhood to the transition into adolescence. Focus areas are prevention with caries prophylaxis and fluoridation, treatment of caries and pain, and accompanying the tooth change. With orthodontic indication we coordinate with Dr. Athanasios Toloudis, who treats at our locations as an orthodontist. More in the article on early orthodontic treatment.
A full description of the service offering is on our service overview for children’s dentistry. This page describes the treatment in Rapperswil-Jona.
First visit from the first birthday
The Swiss Dental Society recommends the first visit during the second year of life. This appointment is less about elaborate treatment and more about:
- Clinical check of the milk teeth that have erupted so far
- Parental guidance on brushing technique, fluoride and nutrition
- First positive experience in the practice atmosphere
- Possibly early indicators for caries or growth anomalies
Caries and treatment in milk teeth
Caries in milk teeth is actively treated today. The earlier sometimes-held position “milk teeth fall out anyway, so don’t treat them” is medically outdated. Caries in milk teeth can lead to pain, pulp inflammation and premature tooth loss, which negatively affects tooth change and growth.
Milk tooth caries is treated with composite fillings, in rarer cases with child-appropriate pulp treatments.
When the child is afraid
Dental anxiety in children is common and usually manageable. We proceed step by step:
- Look-only appointment without treatment. Trust building.
- Gentle first procedure. For example a polish or fluoridation.
- Treatment with age-appropriate explanation. “Tell-show-do” principle.
- Nitrous oxide sedation with pronounced fear.
- Sedation with very pronounced fear via Dr. Cedric Benz, our anesthesiologist at the Zurich Bellevue and Rapperswil-Jona locations.
Transition into adolescence and orthodontics
In the mixed dentition from about six years we observe the position of the permanent teeth. With clinical indication we recommend an orthodontic visit. Dr. Toloudis treats rotating across four locations, initial consultation in Rapperswil-Jona or Zurich Bellevue possible. More in the early treatment article.
Insurance
Children’s dental treatments are usually self-pay services because Swiss basic insurance covers them only for rare severe indications or accident consequences. Family insurances with dental care module can cover part. More on insurance logic in the article on health insurance at the dentist.
Appointments after school
We offer appointments outside school and kindergarten hours. Later afternoon appointments until 20:00 or weekend appointments (Sat 09-15, Sun 09-12) are available. When booking online, state your child’s age and we will assign accordingly.
Getting to the Rapperswil-Jona practice
Resident Rapperswil-Jona, Bühlstrasse 13, 8645 Rapperswil-Jona. Seven minutes’ walk from Rapperswil station. Bus 991 and S5/S15 stop Rapperswil. Parking along Bühlstrasse, station parking garage ten minutes’ walk.