PAEDIATRIC DENTIST

Dr Udit Bhatnagar is a Specialist Paediatric Dentist with substantial experience from all around Australia.

After completing his specialist training in Melbourne in 2016, Udit has spent most of his specialist career working in tertiary dental hospitals and private practice in Sydney.

In 2023, he relocated with his family to Perth. Udit is heavily involved in continuing education, with hours worth of his content available online through the ADA CPD portal as well as running multiple hands-on training courses each year for general dentists through the Australian Dental Association.

Treating children successfully requires more than clinical skill - it requires an understanding of the emotions, communication and experiences that shape their behaviour in the dental chair. Clinicians have far greater influence over a child’s dental experience than they may realise; their language, manner and decisions guide the child’s journey from the moment they enter the practice.

This presentation explores how clinicians can build trust, reduce anxiety and encourage cooperation.

Particular attention is given to the first dental visit: a critical opportunity to establish positive expectations, introduce the environment at the child’s pace and lay the foundations for future care.

Through practical strategies and relatable clinical examples, attendees will discover how the clinician, their dental team, the environment and parental involvement all work together to shape a child’s response.

The session will also clarify when referral to a paediatric dental specialist is appropriate and explore how specialist care differs, including advanced behaviour management techniques, sedation and treatment under general anaesthesia.