A BIG WIN FOR A LITTLE SMILE
As a registered dental hygienist, I have had the privilege of caring for families at Clarence Street Dental for over 27 years. It brings me joy to watch families grow and see them through all stages of life. Every now and then, I get to be part of an experience that makes a big difference in a patient’s dental journey.
Recently, a sweet three-year old patient was in for a hygiene appointment. Her parents and newborn sister were in the room with her. My heart sank when I saw what appeared to be a cavity between her two front teeth. As a parent, I know the worry that comes with a child needing dental work at such a young age.
A CREATIVE APPROACH
When Dr. Kenny Wu came in, he diagnosed decay between her two front teeth, which would require a filling; this can be challenging when a child is this young. If we cannot complete the treatment at our office, we would refer the patient to a specialist, which would be another visit to an unfamiliar office where general anesthesia would likely be required. Not only would this be an additional cost, but it could be unpleasant for the child, possibly creating an unfavourable feeling towards future dental visits.
Dr. Wu assessed the situation and chose to try something minimally invasive that was able to be completed right in my chair during that same visit. He was able to remove the decay with discs quickly and our little patient wasn’t bothered one bit. We instructed the parents how to keep the area clean and applied a fluoride varnish before she left.
This isn’t something that can be done in all cases, but Dr. Wu made it happen for this patient and her parents were grateful.
MAGICAL MOMENTS
What impressed me the most wasn’t the procedure itself, but the thoughtful decision-making behind it. This comes easily to Dr. Wu because he himself is a parent and enjoys treating children.
Dentistry isn’t about treating all patients the same. It’s about listening, adapting, and finding the right treatment for each of our patients, especially our young ones.
Moments like these continue to remind me of why I’m proud to be part of this team. Compassion, experience, and creativity can make all the difference in helping children have positive dental experiences.
Patient story shared with family permission.