Member: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Dental Association, Hispanic Dental Association, Texas Dental Society, Southwestern Society of Pediatric Dentistry, Texas Association of Women Dentists.
Many parents refuse to make radiographic examinations on their children because they think that this is carcinogenic radiation, i.e., it may trigger the growth of cancer cells in children. However, this fear is unfounded and should not exist because the radiation used in the pediatric dental office is minimal. It is only performed the x-rays that patients need. In everyday life, without realizing it, we expose ourselves to a specific lot of radiation such as solar radiation, radio waves, microwave oven, cell phones, television, laser beams, among others.
The dental radiographic exposure represents only 1% compared with other radiological exposures in other fields of health sciences. At a federal and state level, the government health offices establish a set of regulations for the operation of radiographic equipment, proper use of this equipment, its maintenance, and the dosage that it can emit
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends radiographs and examinations every six months for children aged 3-6 years and for those children with high-risk caries. In many cases, children between the ages of 3-6 years are not cooperative when we try to take radiographs; therefore, it is better to delay radiographs until the patient improves their behavior and understands that it is only a radiograph. Moreover, If the child becomes more cooperative, then we begin by taking an intraoral radiograph; therefore, they will gradually become more used to routine dental checkups.
In our office, we try to take the minimum of radiographs needed. Just the essentials every six months for follow-up evaluations after trauma or other pulp treatment, to assess the injury and to monitor the dental development of children and adolescents. Remember that the pediatric dentistry today is purely preventive!
At the young age of 11, as a consequence of a horrible toothache, she decided to become a dentist. She studied dentistry at the Universidad Central de Venezuela in Caracas, Venezuela, where she obtained her dental degree.
During this time, she also attended rotations at the Beekman, Bellevue and Beth Israel Hospitals located in Lower Manhattan, NY. In 1985, after completing her postgraduate degree, Dr. Calcina returned to Venezuela where she continued working at her own practice. Simultaneously, she taught at the postgraduate program of pediatric dentistry at the Universidad Central de Venezuela.
Dr. Calcina decided to open her practice in Katy, Texas. Dr. Calcina is fluent in English, Spanish, Mandarin, and Italian. Besides enjoying her profession, she also enjoys cooking, listening to classical music, swimming, and spending time with her grandchildren.