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Pediatric Robots: A New Companion For Improving Dental Care

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Nervousness is a normal response when visiting the dentist, especially for children. For dentists like us who work with children regularly, having the tools at hand to work with children experiencing nervousness is essential. Right now, many pediatric dentists often rely on entertainment devices, positive language reinforcement, and other educational tools; some companies have gone far and beyond the usual idea of what a dental practice can look like, developing pediatric robots to assist dentists in providing care. 

The Latest News On Pediatric Dental Robots

Using robots for medical care sounds like a far-fetched, futuristic dream, but in Japan, it isn’t the case. Tmsuk, a Japanese robot technology company, has developed a child robot that provides training assistance for new dentists going into pediatric care. Through the use of piezo (crystal) technology and proportional pressure regulators, these dental robots provide accurate responses to child behaviors for dentists training to become pediatric dentists. 

As a training tool, it’s useful for those working to become dental assistants, oral surgeons, and other specialty dentists by providing them with a testing device to track biological responses in children. The robot is designed to mimic children’s behavior, providing reactions that are realistic to children and how they respond to various treatments. Because of these robots, future dentists working with pediatric robots can: 

  • Respond to Emergencies: Children faced with emergency dental scenarios can face many complications, and dentists in training learning to work with children can gain valuable experience. Leading to safe, effective care for your child. 
  • Provide Realistic Responses: Children with disabilities, high-emotional responses, and lower pain tolerances require extensive care, and through pediatric robots, dentists can learn how to handle these situations on a professional level. 
  • Practice Techniques For Care: Dentists learning ways to care for children’s teeth can learn soothing techniques, tooth-cleaning techniques, and other methods of dental care without posing a risk through the use of pediatric robots. 

On the plus side, the robot has been designed to be durable and long-lasting, ensuring its affordability for dental educators. Schools working with graduate students can ensure a better future for pediatric dentistry through the expanse and development of pediatric robots, with Tmsuk’s robot being one of the first. By practicing on pediatric robots, future dentists will be able to ensure that they can respond to emergency situations and uncooperative child behaviors better before interacting with living patients. 

What Does This Mean For Your Pediatric Care? 

While the robot is mainly being used for education purposes, the development of this technology means that there are so many possibilities for pediatric dentists and their patients. Robotic-assisted treatment is already taking place in surgery centers, and the idea of robots helping with dental cleanings isn’t too far off from reality. Although not every dentist out there will have these robots just yet, this represents a small look at the possibilities for children’s dental care. If you are curious, ask your dentist what types of technology they’re watching out for when it comes to your child’s care.