From Cavities to Prosthetics: 640 Young Patients Treated Free of Charge at the Angelė and Sigitas Kazlauskas Pediatric Dentistry Center

The Angelė and Sigitas Kazlauskas Pediatric Dentistry Center, recently opened at the Faculty of Medicine of Vilnius University (VU), has become an important resource for children who often lack access to dental care. It provides free dental treatment, prioritising children from socially disadvantaged families and care institutions.

During its first six months, the Center has already treated 640 children from across Lithuania. According to its director, Prof. Vilma Brukienė, it has the capacity to assist twice as many young patients: ‘We aim to reach an even wider range of children, including those from socially vulnerable families, as well as Ukrainian and other migrant communities. Such opportunities exist because many students from foreign countries complete their clinical practice here and can communicate in German, English, Turkish, and even Persian,’ explained Prof. Brukienė.

Prof. Vilma Brukienė, Director of the VU Angelė and Sigitas Kazlauskas Pediatric Dentistry Center. Photo credit: Faculty of Medicine

Among the Center’s first patients were children under the care of the Order of Malta, some of whom visited a dentist for the very first time in their lives. According to Jurgita Čičelienė, Head of the Children and Youth Programme at the Order of Malta Relief Organisation, some children received extensive treatment: ‘For example, for some young patients, as many as four teeth were treated in a single day. The Center’s dentists not only provided treatment but also instructed children in proper oral hygiene, demonstrating that dental care can be both painless and stress-free’.

Nevertheless, these cases are only part of the challenges faced by the Center’s specialists and fourth- and fifth-year Faculty of Medicine students completing their clinical practice there. They frequently encounter cases far more complex than those typically seen in children of this age: they have already treated all permanent teeth of a ten-year-old, managed advanced caries, and performed procedures generally reserved for older patients.
Student Ula Linkevičiūtė notes that some children have such poor oral hygiene that even dental nerve treatment becomes necessary. ‘These children didn’t fully understand the seriousness of the procedure – at such a young age, they shouldn’t need nerve treatment.’

Another dentistry student, Benas Ilekis, recalls discovering unfinished dental work that required urgent attention. Meanwhile, intern Ugnė Dulskaitė was surprised when a six-year-old’s recently erupted permanent teeth were so severely affected by cavities that only the roots remained – such teeth need to be extracted and later replaced with prosthetics.

Despite these challenges, Prof. Brukienė emphasises that the students’ enthusiasm and skill in working with young patients allow them to successfully navigate even the most difficult situations.

‘There have been instances when caregivers warned us that a child would not allow any dentist to examine them and was extremely afraid. In such situations, general anaesthesia is usually unavoidable. Nevertheless, our students have been able to engage with every child, and sedation has not been required for any patient,’ asserted the Professor.

The newly established Angelė and Sigitas Kazlauskas Pediatric Dentistry Center offers a wide range of services, including oral disease prevention, professional hygiene, caries and root canal treatment, prosthetics, extractions, and more. For complex cases requiring highly specialised care, the Center provides financial support to ensure children receive the necessary treatment as quickly as possible.

VU Žalgirio Clinic. Photo credit: VU

The Angelė and Sigitas Kazlauskas Pediatric Dentistry Center is located at Žalgirio Clinic, a branch of VU Santaros klinikos (VU Hospital) at Žalgirio g. 117, Vilnius, 2nd floor, Room 234. Children can be registered for treatment by phone: +370 5 272 8243, email: , or via the online registration form.

The Center currently funds high-quality treatment materials and equipment and intends to invest in even more advanced technologies soon to ensure that children receive the best possible care.

For more information on the VU Angelė and Sigitas Kazlauskas Pediatric Dentistry Center, please visit this link.