UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh - Dental Services

The "Dental Services" located at 4401 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, is specifically the Department of Dental Services at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. This division is a key part of one of the leading pediatric hospitals in the United States, dedicated to improving the health and well-being of children, teenagers, and young adults. The dental department offers comprehensive preventive, restorative, and oral maxillofacial surgical procedures. They cater to both healthy children and those with complex medical conditions or special needs. Services include routine dental hygiene, examinations, fillings, fluoride treatments, sealants, extractions, root canals, and a range of specialized procedures. Limited orthodontic and orthognathic (surgical orthodontic) services are also provided. The facility emphasizes early dental care, recommending a child's first dental visit by their first birthday, aligning with guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). Beyond direct patient care, UPMC Children's Hospital's Dental Services is home to a highly regarded pediatric dentistry residency program. This program is hospital-based and provides extensive clinical experience, including treatment planning, diagnosis, behavioral management, oral conscious/IV sedation, operating room care, and interdisciplinary care for medically compromised patients. Residents gain significant exposure to emergency dental situations, such as oro-facial pain, trauma, and infections, and provide 24/7 on-call service for the hospital. The program is accredited and focuses on training future pediatric dentists in a high-volume, diverse patient environment, fostering collaboration with other hospital services. The dental clinic is situated within the main Children's Hospital, specifically on the 3rd floor, and serves a broad region including Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and New York. The approach to care is individualized and patient-focused, with a strong emphasis on creating a comfortable and reassuring environment for children.