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 Winterthur.
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
Some parents ask about even earlier visits, for example when the first tooth has come in. That is possible and sensible in certain constellations, for example with familial caries burden.
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 The earlier sometimes-held position “milk teeth fall out anyway, so don’t treat them” is medically outdated.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. Treatment usually takes place without sedation, with age-appropriate explanation and in a calm atmosphere.
When the child is afraid
Dental anxiety in children is common and usually manageable. We proceed step by step:
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Look-only appointment without treatment. The child sits in the chair, sees the instruments, gets examined. No treatment. Trust building.
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Gentle first procedure. For example a polish or fluoridation, without drill noise.
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Treatment with age-appropriate explanation. “Tell-show-do” principle: show, explain, perform.
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Nitrous oxide sedation with pronounced fear and for longer treatments. The child breathes a mix of nitrous oxide and oxygen through a small mask, becomes more relaxed and less anxious but remains responsive.
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Sedation in rare cases. With very pronounced fear, long treatment sessions or with children with special needs, we coordinate sedation through Dr. Gunnar Heller, our anesthesiologist at the Winterthur, Berg and Ermatingen 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 for orthodontic treatment we recommend a visit with the orthodontist. At Resident Dr. Athanasios Toloudis treats, rotating across four locations. Initial consultation and 3D scan take place in Winterthur, regular check-ups with Dr. Toloudis by appointment. More on early treatment in the background 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 and on selection in the article on supplementary dental insurance.
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 Winterthur practice
Resident Winterthur, Bahnhofplatz 5b, 8400 Winterthur. Directly at the main station, three minutes’ walk from the station exit. Tram, bus and train stops in front of the building. Station parking garage with direct staircase access to the practice building.