Itır Aydıntuğ Öcal, DDS

Itır Aydıntuğ Öcal, DDS is a pediatric dentist in the Dental & Oral Health unit at Acibadem Ankara Hospital in Ankara. Her clinical work is directed at the dental needs of children and adolescents, ranging from preventive measures such as fluoride application and fissure sealants to restorative and endodontic treatment of primary and permanent teeth. She also provides dental treatment under general anesthesia for children in whom this approach is clinically appropriate.

Dr. Öcal completed her secondary education at Ted Ankara Koleji in 2002 and graduated from Yeditepe University Faculty of Dentistry in 2008. She went on to complete her specialty education in pediatric dentistry at Gazi University Health Sciences Institute in 2017. She has been working with Acıbadem Healthcare Services since 2013.

Clinical focus

The core of Dr. Öcal’s practice is the prevention and treatment of dental disease in children. Preventive care includes fluoride application and fissure sealants, which are intended to reduce the risk of caries in developing teeth. When decay or infection is present, she carries out dental fillings, manages tooth root infection, and performs root canal treatment in both primary and permanent teeth. Tooth extraction is undertaken when a tooth cannot be preserved, and space maintainers may be placed after the early loss of a primary tooth to help preserve room for the erupting permanent tooth.

Dr. Öcal also treats dental trauma in children, which may involve chipped, displaced or lost teeth following falls or accidents, and she offers aesthetic pediatric dentistry for the appearance of children’s teeth. For young or anxious patients, or for those requiring extensive treatment, dental treatment under general anesthesia can be considered following an individual assessment. The choice of treatment in every case depends on the child’s age, the condition of the teeth and the findings at examination.

How Dr. Öcal works with international patients

Dr. Öcal consults in Turkish and English, and interpreters can be arranged for families who speak other languages. The Acibadem international patient team coordinates the collection of prior reports and imaging, such as dental X-rays and previous treatment records, arranges appointments and organises the hospital visit. A first consultation typically covers the child’s dental history and current symptoms, a review of any existing imaging and previous treatments, a clinical examination and a discussion of the available options, including whether treatment in the dental chair or under general anesthesia is appropriate. Video consultation is available for international patients who wish to discuss their child’s situation before travelling, with the understanding that a definitive treatment plan generally requires an in-person examination.