Paediatric Dentistry
Give your child the gift of excellent dental health and positive dental experiences that will serve them throughout life. Our friendly team is eager to welcome your family to our practice.
Healthy Smiles and Positive Dental Experiences for Children
At Karen Dental Clinic in Nairobi, we believe that establishing good oral health habits early leads to a lifetime of healthy smiles. Our child-friendly paediatric dental services are designed to make dental visits enjoyable while providing exceptional care tailored specifically to young patients’ unique needs.
When Should Your Child First Visit the Dentist?
We recommend scheduling your child’s first dental visit by their first birthday or when their first tooth appears—whichever comes first. These early visits:
Familiarize your child with the dental environment
Allow us to check development and provide preventive guidance
Establish a "dental home" for consistent care
Give parents an opportunity to ask questions and learn proper cleaning techniques
Comprehensive Paediatric Dental Services
We provide complete dental care for children from infancy through adolescence:
Preventive Care
- Regular check-ups customized for each developmental stage
- Professional cleanings adapted for young mouths
- Fluoride treatments to strengthen developing enamel
- Dental sealants to protect vulnerable molar surfaces
- Digital X-rays with minimal radiation for necessary diagnostics
- Growth and development monitoring to identify potential orthodontic needs early
Restorative Treatments
- Tooth-colored fillings for decay repair that blends seamlessly
- Pulp therapy for severely decayed primary teeth
- Paediatric crowns when more extensive restoration is needed
- Space maintainers when primary teeth are lost prematurely
Emergency Care
- Same-day appointments for injuries, pain, or sudden concerns
- Gentle management of dental trauma
- Child-appropriate pain relief and comfort measures
Habit Counseling
- Thumb sucking guidance and intervention
- Pacifier habit management
- Proper nutrition for optimal dental development
Special Needs Dentistry
- Accommodations for children with physical, emotional, or developmental considerations
- Customized approach for each child’s unique challenges
- Coordination with other healthcare providers when beneficial
A Positive Dental Experience: Our Priority
We’ve designed our paediatric dental experience to build positive associations with dental care:
Child-Friendly Environment
- Bright, welcoming décor that puts children at ease
- Age-appropriate entertainment in the waiting area
- Child-sized furnishings for comfort and accessibility
- Thoughtful distractions during treatment
Tell-Show-Do Approach
We take time to:
- Tell children about each step in age-appropriate language
- Show them the tools and techniques we’ll use
- Do the procedure gently with positive reinforcement
Celebration of Milestones
- Cavity-free celebrations to reward good oral hygiene
- Bravery certificates for completing dental visits
- Growth recognition as children mature in their dental journey
Benefits of Our Specialized Pediatric Dental Care
Our approach to extractions sets us apart:
Positive Dental Attitudes for Life
Prevent the dental anxiety many adults develop from negative childhood experiences
Early Intervention and Problem Prevention
Identify potential issues—from early decay to growth and development concerns—at their earliest
Comprehensive Development Monitoring
Care extends beyond just teeth to include monitoring of jaw development, eruption patterns, speech concerns and oral habits
Our Treatment Process
From first teeth to teen years, we focus on preventive care while making dental health fun and engaging.
1
Gentle Introduction and Trust Building
Our specially trained team uses age-appropriate language, positive reinforcement, and abundant praise to create positive associations with dental care.
2
Age-Appropriate Assessment
We make dental check-ups easy for kids of all ages! Our team gently examines your child's teeth and development while keeping them comfortable and engaged.
3
Prevention and Treatment
Our pediatric dental care starts with a prevention-focused plan tailored to your child. We use gentle approaches and simple explanations for any necessary treatments. We'll also show you both effective ways to maintain good oral health between visits.
FAQs About The Service
There are many questions about the service, we have selected frequently asked questions about this service. If you do not see your answer, please contact us.
When should my child have their first dental visit?
The Kenya Dental Association and international pediatric dental organizations recommend scheduling your child's first dental visit by their first birthday or within six months after their first tooth appears—whichever comes first. This might seem early, but these initial visits are crucial for preventing problems before they start. Early visits allow us to check development, provide preventive guidance specific to your child, identify potential issues like tongue ties that might affect feeding or speech, and help your child become comfortable with dental visits from the beginning. Research shows children who start dental visits by age one have significantly fewer dental problems and lower treatment costs throughout childhood.
Will my child cry during their dental visit?
Some children may become tearful during dental visits, especially younger children or during first visits, and this is completely normal. Our team is specially trained to handle these situations with patience and understanding. We use positive distraction techniques like storytelling, letting children hold special toys, or watching ceiling-mounted TVs with child-friendly content. We never force treatment on an upset child but instead take time to build trust gradually. Many parents are surprised by how quickly their initially apprehensive children adapt to the dental environment with our gentle approach. Even if there are tears at first, most children leave with smiles and excitement about their next visit.
Are dental X-rays safe for children?
Yes, modern dental X-rays are very safe for children when used appropriately. At Karen Dental Clinic, we take several precautions to minimize radiation exposure: we use digital X-ray technology that reduces radiation by up to 90% compared to traditional film, carefully shield your child's body with protective aprons, and only take X-rays when clinically necessary based on your child's specific needs and risk factors—not on a fixed schedule. The radiation dose from a digital dental X-ray is less than what your child receives from natural environmental sources in a single day. The diagnostic benefits of appropriately prescribed X-rays far outweigh the minimal risks, allowing us to detect problems invisible to the naked eye before they become serious.
How do I clean my infant's or toddler's teeth properly?
Oral hygiene should begin before teeth even appear. For infants, gently wipe gums with a clean, damp washcloth after feedings. Once the first tooth emerges, brush twice daily using an infant-sized toothbrush with a smear of fluoride toothpaste (size of a rice grain). For children 3-6 years old, use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Position your child comfortably—sitting in your lap with their head cradled in your arm often works well for young children. Use gentle circular motions, cleaning all surfaces of each tooth and along the gumline. Make it fun with songs or stories, and let them have a turn after you've cleaned thoroughly. We demonstrate age-appropriate techniques during visits and can address specific challenges your family is experiencing with home care.
