Pediatric Robots: A New Companion For Improving Dental Care
Dental appointments can be an unnerving experience for any child, especially if it’s their first-ever appointment or they’re aware they have an upcoming procedure. Dentists who plan to work with children must have the knowledge and experience to do so effectively. While many dentists learn about pediatric care in their education, having first-hand experience is different. Thankfully, a robotics company out of Japan, Tmsuk, aims to change the way we experience pediatric dental care.
Tmsuk, The Robotics Company Aiding Pediatric Dental Education
Tmsuk has developed Pedia_Roid, a robot designed to aid pediatric dental students in gaining the experience they need before entering the field. The robot assists in preparing them by behaving like a child in a dental chair. Pedia_Roid will close its mouth randomly, fidget, and flinch at inopportune moments. While nobody would mistake the robot for an actual child, the robot’s behavior simulates how a child would respond to their care.
Future pediatric dentists won’t be the only ones benefiting from this technology, as those who intend to work in the field as dental assistants or hygienists will also benefit. These benefits are essential, as the child will sometimes require gentle restraint by the assistants while the dentist operates. This robot imitates real-life instances where complex patients need additional support to remain still during the surgery.
Pedia_Roid is also designed to assist the dentist in practicing his skills in oral surgery. During simple procedures, it’s not uncommon for younger patients to experience shock, dips in blood pressure, and bouts of unconsciousness. In rarer cases, they might experience critical health complications during the procedure. Effectively responding to any of these instances is vital to ensuring that the care delivered is safe and effective.
One crucial focus of the development of this robot was affordability. While it benefits potential pediatric dentists, it won’t help if the price is beyond the reach of educational facilities. Tmsuk has been dedicated to providing educational locations with the ability to improve the outcomes of future patient care.
The Technology Behind The Pediatric Dental Robot
Tmsuk’s robot is the culmination of decades of robotics research and dental care advancements. Within these robots are air cylinders designed to utilize a minimum amount of pneumatic pressure while providing realistic responses when necessary. In this regard, Tmsuk utilized piezo-electric crystals to trigger a response within the robot for actions and responses. Its programming enables it to behave as childlike as possible within the necessary parameters, making it a valuable resource for future pediatric dentists.
The future of dentistry is vague in the field of robotics, but one day dentists everywhere will perform dental treatments remotely using robots. Robotic-assisted surgeries aren’t unheard of in other medical fields, and it’s only the beginning. As the price and availability of medical-grade robots become more publicly accessible, we may start seeing them within smaller clinics like the ones near you!
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