Treatment without pain or fear: a pain management program for children

For a child, pain is more than physical discomfort. It means fear, anxiety and the risk of being afraid of doctors in the future. At MediLavia we understand this, which is why we have introduced a modern pain management program based on international safety standards.

Our motto: “Modern, safe and opioid-free care”. We do everything we can so that dental or ENT treatment leaves your child with only positive impressions.

How do we know a child is in pain?

Children cannot always describe how they feel in words. We use scientifically recognized, age-appropriate pain assessment scales:

• For toddlers (1–3 years) — special behavioral scales (observing facial expressions and movements)
• For children from 3 years — a “faces” scale (the child simply points to the picture that reflects how they feel)
• For teenagers — a numerical scale from 0 to 10
• For children with developmental differences — specialized methods (NCCPC)

Evidence: the use of validated scales is the “gold standard” in pediatrics recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). ^[1]

Our pain relief principles

1. Safe medicines (the first line of defense)

We use medicines with proven effectiveness — ibuprofen and paracetamol.

• We combine them according to clear regimens to enhance the effect and avoid side effects
• Our pediatrician strictly controls the doses based on the child’s weight and age

2. An opioid-free approach

We have completely excluded codeine and tramadol for children (under 12 this is an absolute contraindication, and under 18 they are strongly undesirable, especially after ENT surgery).

Important: the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) warns of serious risks these drugs pose to children’s breathing. ^[2]

3. Regional anesthesia

In dentistry and ENT surgery we use modern methods of local and regional anesthesia. This “switches off” pain exactly where treatment is taking place and considerably reduces the need for general painkillers.

Treatment as a game: non-drug methods

Sometimes a cartoon helps more than a pill. We use “distraction” methods that have been recognized as effective in Cochrane reviews: ^[3]

• Interactive — VR glasses, favorite cartoons and games right in the chair
• Comfort — “comfort positions” in mom’s or dad’s arms during procedures
• Psychological support — our “Pain Team” includes not only doctors but also play therapists and psychologists

What should parents know?

We believe that a calm parent is 50% of success.

• We will explain everything — before any procedure, the doctor will tell you and your child (in words the child understands) what is going to happen
• Home monitoring — you will receive clear instructions on how to watch your child at home and when to give medicine
• We are always in touch — if anything worries you after treatment, our team is ready to advise you