Ana Vukovic is pediatric dentist with clinical expertise and special focus in preventing oral disease and treating young patients with dental anxiety and medically compromised children.
She graduated from University of Belgrade, School of Dental Medicine and finished residency in the field of pediatric and preventive dentistry in 2014. Currently she works as consultant in pediatric dentistry, attending special care dentist and Assistant Professor at the Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Belgrade. Ana finished Postdoctoral clinical and research fellowship in 2024 at University of Bern, Switzerland, supervised by Prof. Guglielmo Campus.
She is actively involved in teaching and mentoring undergraduate and postgraduate dental students. Moreover, she is an active member of several international professional organizations: Communication Deputy Officer of European Association of Dental Public Health since 2022-present; Member of International Association of Paediatric Dentistry Young IAPD Network 2020-2024; Member of the International Association for Disability and Oral Health Education Committee since 2018-2024. She authored and coauthored more than 50 scientific papers published in international and national journals with cumulative impact factor more than 130.
Her special research focus present improving oral health in young children especially underprivileged, young and uncooperative, community dental health, dental public health, epidemiology and special care dentistry.
Child with dental treatment cooperation difficulties often represent a treatment challenge for pediatric dentist and the source of frustration for both the patient and the family and moreover for the operating dentist. However, adequate, timely and behavioral strategy that involves carefully designed non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment enables success. The aim of the lecture is to share the knowledge and empower pediatric dentists to favor building bridges, not barriers within every dental clinical practice. Designing an effective communication strategy for the child with cooperation difficulties is possible if dentist is able to understand and support tiny patients in the holistic manner. Using minimal sedation (or anxiolysis) during dental visit enables access to dental care, and reduction of long waiting list for dental treatment under general anesthesia. However, this is often not enough – pediatric dentists must often act as child psychologists, understanding and addressing the emotional needs that contribute to dental anxiety. This lecture explores a comprehensive approach to behavior support, incorporating both psychological techniques and minimal sedation strategies to provide optimal care for these young patients. We will delve into practical strategies for building rapport, establishing trust, and effectively communicating with children. Moreover, the lecture will cover evidence-based behavioral support techniques, and furthermore, the judicious use of minimal inhalation sedation (nitrous oxide) and minimal per os sedation, outlining appropriate indications, dosages, and safety protocols. The integration of hypnosis as a powerful tool for managing anxiety and promoting relaxation will also be explored. By combining these behavioral and pharmacological approaches, pediatric dentists can effectively reduce dental fear, improve treatment outcomes, and foster a lifetime of positive oral health habits.
