First dental procedures in the new light harbour

In October 2022, the Vestische Kinder- und Jugendklinik Datteln - Witten/Herdecke University inaugurated the LichtHafen, the new surgical centre for young people with complex chronic diseases, on the roof of the children's palliative care centre. The first dental operations have now taken place in the LichtHafen.

The LichtHafen expands the clinic's range of services with an important care component: surgical teams from cooperating hospitals can operate on children, adolescents and young adults suffering from serious, rare diseases in the LichtHafen. The planned operations also include dental procedures under general anaesthetic. On the occasion of the German Dentists' Day from 14 to 17 June 2023 in Hamburg, experts pointed out the catastrophic lack of care for patient groups who require dental care under general anaesthetic. In its press release, the German Society for Maxillofacial Surgery (DGMKG) spoke of a "dramatic" situation for these seriously ill and disabled children.

LightHarbour closes care gap

The LightHaven helps to close this gap in care. Prof Dr med. dent. Jochen Jackowski and his team led by PD Dr med. dent. Peter Schmidt from the University Dental Clinic in Witten have now performed the first dental procedures under anaesthetic on two seriously ill patients at the Vestische Kinder- und Jugendklinik. This important service is now to be continuously expanded. "As an operating theatre and anaesthesia team, we were well prepared for the first procedures, positively tense and very motivated. As a team of dental experts, we were able to use the operating theatre with all its technical possibilities in a really pleasant and constructive working atmosphere and carry out the procedures successfully," says Prof Jackowski from the UWH Dental Clinic. "There was very good teamwork both professionally and personally. As a team, we are aware that we are helping to create something special here, something particularly good."

The special structure of the LichtHafen and its "healing architecture" have a positive effect on the surgical procedure and the pre- and post-operative situation: "All processes, the entire organisation of the operation, are based on the patient and the parents or accompanying person. We accompany them in a protected and anxiety-reducing atmosphere," explains Peter Sarjevski, the nursing operating theatre coordinator at the Vestische Kinder- und Jugendklinik. Sarjevski is also delighted with the successful start at LichtHafen: "The support of the medical technology, hygiene and all departments of the paediatric clinic, which have helped to create a good structure for smooth pre- and post-treatment processes through close cooperation and constructive joint planning, was and is great."

Positive feedback from parents

Children with complex chronic illnesses have special needs. Close cooperation with relatives is therefore very important. The operating theatre and anaesthesia team is delighted with the positive feedback after the first dental procedures under general anaesthetic.

"Being able to perform more and even more complex dental procedures on site at the paediatric clinic in future is a great relief for families - and a special challenge for us that we are happy to take on," summarises Prof. Dr Michael Paulussen, Medical Director of the Vestische Kinder- und Jugendklinik.

The start has been made. With the LichtHafen, the Vestische Kinder- und Jugendklinik Datteln - Witten/Herdecke University is closing a significant gap in care. Everyone involved is looking forward to what will be possible in the new surgery centre in the future.

Further information on the new LichtHafen surgical centre: www.kinderpalliativzentrum.de/lichthafen