Dental council fixes paediatric dentistry age limit to 13

The Dental Council of India (DCI) has fixed the age limit of the Paediatric Dentistry to 13 years to streamline the working process for the patients and doctors. The circular was issued to the principals of all the dental colleges/institutions in the country as most of the teenage dental problems are over by this age and the secondary teeth already replace the primary teeth.

"In view of the decision of the General Body of the Dental Council of India arrived in its meeting, I am directed to inform that the upper age limit of the patients being treated in Paediatric Dentistry Clinic/Department, be considered as 13 years," stated the circular by DCI Secretary, Sabyasachi Saha.

Children tend to lose their primary teeth by the age of seven, after which the 'milk' teeth are replaced by secondary teeth. This process of shedding of deciduous (or primary) teeth and their replacement is known as exfoliation. The exfoliation, in most cases, is done by the age of twelve after which mostly permanent teeth remain there.

According to the experts, the idea is to incorporate a little-known branch of dentistry called 'Ephebodontics' that deals with patients between the age 10 and 18 years.

"The aim was to help the patients as well as the doctors. In many cases, there were no clear instructions about which department to be visited. This will help in streamlining the process," said Dr AK Chandna, senior DCI member.

Over the years, the rush at the paediatric dentist's clinics has increased as specialty training allows a paediatric dentist to have a much greater depth of knowledge when it comes to a child's oral health and thus the clinics are crowded.

Doctors suggest that most of the problems that appear after the age of 13 are adult dental problems as they occur in the secondary teeth or fully matured gums, thus by reducing the age, the rush in the Paediatric Dentistry department can be reduced.