STUDENTPERSPECTIVE VIEWS ON THE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE Lessons, Rewards of Serving the Youngest of Pediatric Patients

Contributed by Tiana Piscitelli (D’23)

Every week, I delight in the symphony of sounds that fill the First Five Dental Clinic: a toddler singing along to the catchy tunes of Disney's Encanto, his sister confidently counting her teeth in the dental chair, the boisterous cries of infants experiencing their first-ever dental checkup. With a smile, our courageous clinic leader and hygienist, Deanne Wallaert, refers to these sounds as "the music of our people." And she couldn't be more correct — it’s the perfect harmony of working with these wonderful children that makes this clinic so special.

Through the Pediatric and Community Oral Health Honors Programs, I have the privilege of working in The First Five Dental Clinic, a program dedicated to providing high-quality and accessible dental care to Philadelphia’s youngest population. Our primary objective is to establish a dental home early on for our patients and encourage routine preventative care, ensuring that children ages zero to five receive a comprehensive start to their dental health journey. Children ages zero to five remain a greatly underserved population, as more than half of surrounding counties in Pennsylvania are without a pediatric dentist. This honors program exposes me to the many pediatric dentistry-based public health initiatives that exist, and the important role we play as pediatric dentists to engage with and impact the communities we treat.

After working in the First Five Clinic the past two years, I recognize the importance of taking a holistic approach to dental care. I work closely with parents to provide age-appropriate oral hygiene instruction and nutritional counseling, while understanding that various social determinants of health can play a vital role in a child's overall well-being. Providing personalized ‘anticipatory guidance’ to parents, particularly those in culturally and economically diverse areas such as West Philadelphia, is critical in establishing healthy habits and preventing future dental concerns. My work in the First Five Clinic also inspired an exciting research project spearheaded by Dean Mark Wolff that is aimed to establish a correlation between Early Childhood Caries and dental fear among parents or guardians. Dentistry, for me, represents the intersection of science and art. Pediatric dentistry, specifically, requires a high level of improvisation and creativity, making it one of the most demanding, yet rewarding fields. Working with children ages zero to five requires a pediatric dentist’s mastery in behavioral management, as dental visits can present unique and unpredictable challenges. We learn to perform lap examinations for the youngest patients, to identify and address fears that may be present in toddlers, all while remaining flexible and prepared to adapt to any situation that may arise. Pediatric dentistry is a way for me to express my creativity, as I leave the First Five Clinic feeling inspired by the children and families I have the privilege of treating.

I am extremely fortunate to have had the chance to work in the First Five Clinic as part of my honors programs. As I continue my training beyond Penn Dental Medicine, I will remain dedicated to treating underserved pediatric communities and will incorporate the learned skills and experiences from this program in my future career as a pediatric dentist. I hope to inspire and empower my future patients just as they have encouraged the creative and imaginative dreamer in me.