Doctor

Dr. Chotirat Rukthamsangob

  • Specialties:Pediatric Dentistry
  • Languages:English, Thai
Education
  • Doctor of Dental Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Chiang Mai University

Doctor's interview

Dr. Chotirat Rukthamsangob

My patients are 99% children. Most of the work involves fillings, scaling, extractions, as well as providing preventive education, orthodontics, and dental procedures under anesthesia. In caring for children's teeth, we don't just finish the treatment and move on. In fact, my work begins from the moment the child gets their first baby tooth. We provide guidance on dental hygiene, teach new parents how to brush their child's teeth, ensuring proper dental care according to the developmental stages of the teeth, all the way up to the age of 12.

“Dr. Chotirat Ruktham Sangop graduated with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Chiang Mai University in 2000. She then pursued a residency in Pediatric Dentistry at Mahidol University and received her Pediatric Dentistry certification from the Dental Council in 2008. Dr. Chotirat shared her inspiration and experience in her studies:

‘When I first graduated as a dentist, I treated general adult patients. However, when I encountered child patients, I found certain problems or treatments that I couldn’t address adequately, which made me want to learn more in-depth. Once I started studying, even though Pediatric Dentistry was complex, I found it enjoyable. My interest in orthodontics arose because I often received questions from parents. Although basic orthodontics was covered in dental school, it was not sufficient to answer more in-depth questions. Since I was already interested in this field, I decided to further my studies at Siam Orthodontic Center, which is recognized by the Thai Association of Orthodontists and Research. The knowledge I gained allowed me to complement my skills in Pediatric Dentistry and better address complex orthodontic cases.’

Understanding children’s nature is one of the key aspects of treatment.

When children visit the dentist, they are often fearful or anxious. Dr. Chotirat uses various techniques to help them relax and cooperate during treatment:

‘It’s natural for children to fear things they haven’t seen or done before. I usually explain and show the areas needing treatment using mirrors and tools, provide examples through comparisons, and use positive reinforcement, such as praising them or giving rewards. In some cases, I might need to use negative reinforcement, like warning them about the consequences of moving too much. Additionally, I use voice control, similar to how parents might use a stern voice to manage their children. The choice of technique depends on observing each child’s behavior and age to decide the most appropriate approach. Importantly, in every treatment, I ensure not to impose but rather find a middle ground that benefits both the child and the parents.’

Using general anesthesia with a specialist for safe treatment.

For very young children under three to four years old who cannot understand and respond to psychological techniques, or for special needs children and those with high anxiety, general anesthesia may be considered. This allows the dentist to perform procedures without the risk of injury or the pressure to rush. In such cases, a specialist in anesthesia will be present throughout the treatment:

‘Parental consent is always required before administering general anesthesia. In one case, a mother had to conceal the decision from other family members who were against it, as she saw the risk of not using anesthesia for multiple treatments, including extractions and crowns. After the treatment, when the family saw the child eating and chewing well, they were all happy. The child, who previously had trouble eating and sleeping due to severe tooth decay, could return to normal activities and development. This made the treatment very worthwhile.’

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