The URJC promotes a pioneering course in children's oral health

rose marquez

The URJC will host the summer course 'Caring for the Mouths of the Future: A Comprehensive Approach to Current Pediatric Dentistry', a training program aimed at students and professionals interested in children's oral health. The course is groundbreaking because it addresses prevention, treatment, and behavioral management in children from an interdisciplinary perspective.

According to its director, pediatric dentist María Carrillo, the main objective is "to present the latest advances in both prevention and the more invasive treatment of common childhood pathologies," without forgetting the importance of "offering technical and psychological tools for managing children's behavior."

What sets this course apart from other similar training programs is its rigorous and practical, yet humanistic, approach. “It is designed to improve the skills of future professionals and their sensitivity in dealing with children. It provides content that is little known to students, which is essential for achieving a comprehensive approach to pediatric patients,” explains Carrillo.

The course places special emphasis on the psychological aspects of dental treatment, which are often overlooked in clinical training. “A dental visit can be a stressful experience for a child. Therefore, it is essential that the professional be trained in behavioral management techniques that allow them to build trust, reduce anxiety, and adapt treatment to the child's developmental stage,” notes the director.

Among the main current challenges in pediatric oral health, Carrillo highlights the need to ensure that patients seek care from the first year of life, eliminate barriers to equitable access to pediatric dental services, and train professionals to overcome treatment resistance caused by previous negative experiences.

The seminar includes presentations on emotions, family environment, the placebo effect, and communication strategies, offering comprehensive training that meets the real demands of current clinical practice.

This course is of particular interest to both dentistry students and oral health professionals who wish to update their knowledge to improve the comprehensive care of pediatric patients. It is free, is recognized with 0,18 ECTS credits, and will be taught on June 30th at the Aranjuez campus.