Can Dr. Shefali treat anxious children?

Yes. She uses a Tell-Show-Do approach — explaining and demonstrating before doing anything — so children know exactly what to expect at every step.

Should a baby tooth be saved or just removed?

Wherever possible Dr. Shefali saves the baby tooth. Baby teeth hold space for permanent teeth and losing them too early often causes crowding that later needs braces.

How often should children visit the dentist?

Every 6 months for a routine check-up and cleaning. Cavity-prone children may need visits every 3-4 months.

Meet Our Dentists At Aspen Dentals

About

About Dr. Shefali Kaul

Children and dentists do not always mix easily. Dr. Shefali Kaul has built her entire practice around changing that. She works only with children — from toddlers getting their first tooth to teenagers approaching the end of their milk teeth years.

Her first priority at every appointment is not the tooth. It is making sure the child is calm enough that treatment becomes possible without fear or resistance. Most parents who bring their child to Dr. Shefali notice the difference from the very first visit.

She sees patients at Aspen Dentals, Gurgaon — at both the Sector 53 (South Point Mall) and Sector 65 (M3M Tee Point) clinics, 7 days a week.

First dental visit? Bring your child within 6 months of their first tooth appearing — or by their first birthday. Early visits catch problems before they grow and help children get comfortable with dental care before they have any reason to be anxious.

Qualifications

Education & Training

BDS — Bachelor of Dental Surgery
Specialisation in Pediatric Dentistry
Trained in child behaviour management techniques
Practitioner of the Tell-Show-Do method for anxious children

What she treats

Treatments Dr. Shefali Provides

Dr. Shefali handles everything related to children's dental health — from a first check-up to more involved procedures like pulpectomy and space maintainers. Click any treatment to learn more.

PulpectomyRoot canal for baby teeth — saves the tooth and holds space for the permanent one

Dental Fillings for KidsTreating cavities in baby and permanent teeth before they spread

Fluoride TreatmentStrengthens enamel and reduces the risk of cavities in children

Pit & Fissure SealantsProtective coating on back teeth to stop decay before it starts

Space MaintainerHolds the gap after early milk tooth loss so permanent teeth come in correctly

Tooth ExtractionsGentle removal when a tooth cannot be saved — always a last option

Preventive DentistryDiet advice, brushing habits, routine check-ups and cleanings

All Kids DentistrySee the full range of children's dental treatments at Aspen Dentals

For parents

Before You Bring Your Child In

A few small things that make a real difference to how the appointment goes:

What to say — and what not to say

Avoid words like pain, injection, needle, or scary before the visit — even said reassuringly, they plant ideas that are hard to undo once the child is in the chair
Do not say "it will not hurt" — the word hurt alone is enough to set off anxiety in young children
Keep it simple: "We are going to the tooth doctor, she will have a look at your teeth"

Practical tips

Book a morning appointment — children are fresher and less irritable than in the afternoon
Bring a favourite toy or comfort item if your child is particularly anxious
Let Dr. Shefali do the talking during the appointment — avoid jumping in to reassure unless she asks

Dr. Shefali's method: She uses the Tell-Show-Do approach — explaining what she is going to do in plain words, then showing the child the instrument, then doing it. No surprises. This builds trust quickly, even with very young or very anxious children.

Questions parents ask most

Frequently Asked Questions

Within 6 months of the first tooth appearing, or by the child's first birthday — whichever comes first. You do not need to wait for a problem to appear. Early visits catch small things before they grow and help children get comfortable with dental care before they have any reason to feel anxious.

Yes — this is her specialty. Anxious children are the most common type of patient she sees. She works at the child's pace without rushing, uses the Tell-Show-Do approach so nothing comes as a surprise, and will often spend the first visit simply talking and looking without any treatment at all — just to build trust.

Wherever possible, Dr. Shefali saves the baby tooth. Baby teeth hold space for the permanent teeth growing underneath them. If a baby tooth — especially a back tooth — is lost too early, the neighbouring teeth shift into the gap and the permanent tooth has no room to come through properly. This usually leads to crowding that later needs braces. Saving the tooth is nearly always the better long-term choice.

Every 6 months for a routine check-up and cleaning. Children who are cavity-prone or have specific concerns may need visits every 3 to 4 months. Regular visits mean problems are caught early — before they become painful or need more involved treatment.

A space maintainer is a small dental appliance placed in the mouth after a baby tooth is lost too early. It holds the gap open so the permanent tooth has room to come through in the right position. Not every early tooth loss needs one — Dr. Shefali will assess the situation and tell you clearly whether it is recommended.

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