Odontopediatria Afetiva is a specialized pediatric dental practice with a unit in the Garcia neighborhood of Blumenau, Santa Catarina, located at Rua Armando Odebrecht, 70, Sala 1003, within the Centro Médico Santa Catarina (the distinctive circular medical center building). The Blumenau unit is led by Dra. Priscila Petcov, a specialist in both odontopediatria (pediatric dentistry) and ortodontia (orthodontics), bringing dual specialist expertise to the care of babies, children, adolescents, and expectant mothers.
The clinic's name — Odontopediatria Afetiva (Affective Pediatric Dentistry) — defines its philosophy. Affective dentistry recognizes that the emotional experience of dental care is as important as the clinical procedure itself, particularly for young patients whose early dental experiences shape their attitude toward oral health for life. The team's guiding principles are segurança, diversão, afeto e paciência (safety, fun, affection, and patience) — creating an environment where children feel protected, engaged, and cared for rather than anxious or fearful.
Baby Dental Care (Bebês)
Care at Odontopediatria Afetiva begins from birth. Neonatal and infant dental care covers the earliest stages of oral development, including assessment of the newborn's oral cavity, guidance on breastfeeding and pacifier use, and early monitoring of oral structures. The clinic provides lingual frenum surgery (frenotomia) for cases of tongue-tie that affect breastfeeding or speech development — a delicate procedure requiring specialist skill and careful post-operative care. This early engagement with infant oral health sets the foundation for a lifetime of good dental habits and healthy development.
Prenatal Dental Care
Odontologia pré-natal (prenatal dental care) serves pregnant women, whose oral health has direct implications for both their own well-being and the health of their developing child. Hormonal changes during pregnancy increase vulnerability to gum disease and cavities, and certain oral bacteria have been linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes. The clinic offers safe, pregnancy-appropriate dental consultations, cleaning, and treatment to support maternal oral health throughout the gestational period.
Prevention and Prophylaxis
Preventive care is the cornerstone of the Odontopediatria Afetiva approach. The clinic provides professional cleaning (profilaxia), fluoride applications, and fissure sealant application — thin protective coatings placed in the grooves of back teeth where decay most often begins — to dramatically reduce children's risk of cavities. Regular preventive visits allow the team to monitor oral development, detect issues early, and maintain the oral health of primary and permanent dentitions through every stage of growth.
Restorative Dentistry
When decay or trauma affects a child's teeth, prompt restorative care prevents further damage and preserves the tooth's function and integrity. Odontopediatria Afetiva provides dental restorations (fillings) for primary and permanent teeth using tooth-colored, biocompatible materials. The team's affective approach ensures that even restorative procedures are carried out in a calm, supportive manner, minimizing stress and discomfort for young patients.
Root Canal Treatment in Primary Teeth
Endodontic treatment in primary (baby) teeth — known as pulpotomy or pulpectomy — is performed when decay or infection has reached the pulp of a baby tooth. Preserving primary teeth through endodontic treatment is important because baby teeth serve as natural space maintainers for permanent teeth; premature loss leads to spacing problems and misalignment. The clinic's specialist team performs these procedures with skill and gentleness, adapted to the anatomy and needs of primary dentition.
Orthodontics
Dra. Priscila Petcov's dual specialization in orthodontics means the Blumenau unit also offers orthodontic treatment for children and adolescents. Early orthodontic assessment allows for timely intervention to guide jaw development, prevent worsening misalignment, and reduce the complexity of later treatment. The clinic provides orthodontic appliances suited to different developmental stages, from removable functional appliances for younger children to fixed bracket systems for adolescents.
Dental Sedation
Sedação odontológica (dental sedation) is available for children who experience significant anxiety, require more extensive procedures than can be comfortably managed with behavioral techniques alone, or have special health or developmental needs. Sedation allows necessary dental treatment to be completed safely and efficiently, with the child in a relaxed, comfortable state throughout the procedure.
Special Needs — Autism Care
Odontopediatria Afetiva has a specific commitment to atendimento para crianças com autismo (dental care for children with autism). Children on the autism spectrum may face significant sensory, behavioral, and communicative challenges in standard dental environments. Dra. Priscila and her team are trained to adapt their approach for neurodiverse patients, using personalized strategies to make dental care accessible, respectful, and as comfortable as possible for every child regardless of their needs.
Emergency Care and Tooth Extractions
The clinic also provides emergency dental care for children — addressing acute pain, dental trauma (broken or knocked-out teeth), and infections that require prompt attention. Tooth extractions are performed when teeth are too damaged to save or when removal is indicated as part of an orthodontic treatment plan, with careful technique and pain management to ensure minimal distress for the child patient.
Facility and Accessibility
The Blumenau unit of Odontopediatria Afetiva is located within the Centro Médico Santa Catarina — a recognized medical hub in the Garcia neighborhood — offering parents the convenience of a professional medical building environment with parking available in the immediate vicinity. The clinic does not work with insurance plans, ensuring that scheduling and care delivery are managed directly and without administrative complexity. Appointments are managed via WhatsApp, making it straightforward for families to book and communicate with the clinic team.
