It all started with a mission trip to Guatemala with the organization Dentistry for All, in 2003. Since then, Brad’s passion for working with children to equip them with the foundation for good oral health led him to start develop a pediatric dental practice with four locations in Calgary and area. He is still operating in Calgary, and has recently rebranded his practice, “Sayahh Kids Dental Care”, including locations in both Northeast Calgary and in Cochrane (Camp Sayahh).
In the 80’s, pediatric dentistry was seen as the dumping ground for children who were more difficult patients to treat.
The specialty has since evolved, and dentists go back for two-three extra years of additional study to learn the specific needs of young mouths, and more importantly, the psychology involved in working with, and motivating, children to develop good oral health habits. There are only four pediatric residency programs across Canada, which graduate 8-10 pediatric dentist per year. Good pediatric dental care enables children to accept dental visits, and dental health as something to look forward to, rather than dread.
Dental health is an important foundation for overall good health. If a child can reach six years of age without any cavities, there is a very high chance that they will have no major dental problems through the majority of their life. Many systemic health issues manifest in the mouth, which enable dentists to detect underlying health issues in their patients. Regular dental check-ups are a crucial element of good health care.
The above statistic drives a passion within Brad and his team to ensure that children have access to good oral care, full stop. Brad’s passion for working with children extends to several organizations within the Calgary region that facilitate access to oral care for children that may not necessarily have the means to do so. He is constantly looking for more ways in which he can give back to the communities around him.
Sitting with Dr. Brad, I was impacted by his ability to practise a very complex discipline, while creating a fun and child-friendly treatment experience for children, so they leave smiling (or even protesting, as they don’t want to leave because they would prefer to stay and play). I wondered if they accepted adult patients that act like children. The treehouse wasn’t quite my size, but I’m sure I could fit, sort of…
Lowell Harder
