Specialist Paediatric Dentistry
Gentle Dental Care Designed Around Children
Specialist treatment for children and teenagers, led by Dr Anika Shah, Specialist in Paediatric Dentistry
Positive early visits help children feel relaxed about the dentist for life, which is why we never rush them.
At K3 Dental, children are looked after by Dr Anika Shah, who is on the General Dental Council’s Specialist List for Paediatric Dentistry.
Visits are calm and unhurried. We explain each step in words your child understands, numb the area gently before any treatment and, for children who feel anxious, offer inhalation sedation, often called “happy air”.
Many families come to us after being told their child faces a long wait for specialist care. We can usually see your child within two weeks, so small problems are treated before they become painful.
Why Parents Choose K3 Dental
- Care from a GDC-registered Specialist in Paediatric Dentistry
- A “tell, show, do” approach, so nothing comes as a surprise
- Inhalation sedation for children who find dental visits hard
- A first consultation usually within two weeks
- Evening and Saturday appointments, so school and work aren’t disrupted
- You’re welcome to stay with your child throughout
Meet Dr Anika Shah
BDS MFDS RCSEd PgCert MPaedDent RCSEd F(PaedDent) RCSEd · GDC No. 278100
Anika qualified from King’s College London in 2018 and completed three years of specialist training in Paediatric Dentistry at Birmingham Dental Hospital in 2025. She is now undertaking consultant-level training at Birmingham Dental Hospital and Leicester Community Dental Services CIC.
Her special interests are dental injuries and dental anomalies, and in 2024 she won first prize in the Dental Trauma UK Richard Welbury Case Report Competition.
Treatments for Children and Teenagers
Prevention: specialist check-ups, fluoride varnish, fissure sealants, and diet and brushing advice for the whole family.
Fillings and decay: tooth-coloured fillings, pre-formed crowns for baby teeth (often with no drilling or injections, using the Hall technique), pulp treatment and gentle extractions.
Developmental conditions: missing or extra teeth, weak or discoloured enamel including MIH (“chalky teeth”), unusually shaped teeth, late or unusual eruption, and inherited conditions such as amelogenesis imperfecta and dentinogenesis imperfecta.
Additional needs: longer, quieter appointments for children with medical conditions, autism, ADHD, sensory differences or learning disabilities, working with their GP or hospital team where needed.
Knocked, Chipped or Broken Teeth
Dental injuries are one of Dr Shah’s main interests. We treat chipped, broken and loosened teeth, and teeth pushed out of position or knocked out. We monitor teeth after an injury and make custom sports mouthguards to help prevent the next one.
If an adult tooth is knocked out: hold it by the white crown, not the root, and if it’s clean, gently put it back in the socket. If you can’t, keep it in milk or in your child’s mouth, inside the cheek, and call us straight away on 0116 431 9591. Don’t put a baby tooth back in; call us for advice instead.
Your Child’s First Visit
What to Expect
Before you arrive
- We’ll send a short medical history form to fill in at home.
At the appointment
- Dr Shah talks with you and your child about any worries, symptoms and medical history.
- Your child can look around and sit in the chair. We only treat on the first visit if it’s urgent or your child is happy to go ahead.
- If needed, and only when your child is comfortable, we may take X-rays or photographs.
Afterwards
- You’ll get a clear written plan with your options, to take home and decide in your own time.
Appointments
- Monday evening clinic, 17:30 to 19:30, once a month
- Saturday morning clinic, 08:30 to 13:00, once a month
- Pain, swelling and injuries are seen as a priority
You don’t need a referral: book directly, or ask your dentist to refer your child. View our fees
For dentists: we welcome referrals for dental trauma, developmental conditions and anomalies, children with complex medical histories, and anxious children who may benefit from inhalation sedation. Patients return to your care afterwards with a full report. Refer a patient
Questions Parents Ask
Will my child’s treatment hurt?
We do everything we can to keep children comfortable: a flavoured numbing gel before any injection, anaesthetic given slowly, regular check-ins and a “stop” signal your child can use at any time. Anxious children can also have inhalation sedation.
Do we need a referral?
No. You can book directly, or your own dentist can refer your child to us.
How soon can my child be seen?
We usually offer a first consultation within two weeks, and sooner for pain, swelling or injuries.
What does a Specialist in Paediatric Dentistry do?
A paediatric specialist has completed several years of extra full-time training in children’s dentistry and is on the General Dental Council’s Specialist List. They treat complex problems, dental injuries, children with medical conditions and anxious children.
Is inhalation sedation safe for children?
Yes. It is a well-established technique. Your child breathes a mix of nitrous oxide and oxygen through a small nose mask, stays awake and can talk to us, and feels calm and relaxed. It wears off within minutes, so they can go back to school or home as normal.
Can I stay with my child?
Yes. Parents and carers are welcome in the surgery throughout.
Will my child still see their usual dentist?
Yes. Many children see us for specialist treatment and then return to their regular dentist for check-ups. We keep your dentist fully informed.
Can you help children with additional needs?
Yes. Tell us when you book and we’ll plan a quieter time, allow extra time and adapt the visit to suit your child.
book your child’s visit
Call us on 0116 431 9591 or get in touch online, and we’ll find a time that suits your family. You’ll find us at K3 @ 34 Dental, 34 Leicester Road, Oadby, Leicester LE2 5BA.
