Dr Judith Guedalia

Our hearts go out on hearing (widely reported in the press here) about the tragic case of the death of two year old (he died on his birthday) Yair Lupoliansky, the grandson of the Mayor of Jerusalem, Uri Lupolianski and his wife, Mical, during a dental treatment, less than one month ago.

The experienced pediatric dentist who works both in Hadassah Hospital dental clinic and sees young patients in a private clinic, seems to have done everything according 'to the book'-quote from Prof. Shapira the head of Hadassah's Medical Center's Dental Clinic. 

Yair, z'l, was under mild sedation, a common procedure for treating very young dental patients.  At two years of age he needed four root canals crowns. 

I am writing this not to blame anyone, Has Ve Shalom, but rather we as mental health professionals are going to need our skills to calm parents and children facing similar treatment.  Not treating rotten teeth can lead to serious infection to the mouth, body and of course the nearby, brain.

What can be done as prevention?
We all know about sweets etc. but everyone needs to be educated that putting a child, of any age, to bed with a bottle causes 'bottle rot', rotting teeth that are being 'bathed' in sweet fluid.  'Sweet Fluid' refers to any liquid other than water!!  So that mothers milk, diluted apple juice etc are all potentially carcinogenic--causes of tooth decay).  Think of it, the infant and child's mouth is 'sitting' for hours as the child is sleeping, and even during the day, is a 'tooth-rotting' environment.  Infants should have their first tooth brushed by a parent with a little amount of toothpaste before bedtime. A child should be seen by a Pediatric Dentist - a dentist who is board certified in treating children's teeth and mouths- a half-a-year after the eruption of his/her first tooth which is at around one year of age. 

I am not a dentist, but both my brother-in-law and son-in-law are, and I have heard stories of serious dental problems among young children for years. 

Prevention is the best medicine.

May Yair ben Yaacov and Leah, z'l, find Menuchat Olam, and may Hashem grant his family Nechama with the Mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Tags: Lupoliansky | Pediatric Dentist | Prevention