General dentists usually treat and focus on adult teeth and dental conditions, while pediatric dentists specialize in treating children's teeth, mixed dentition, and sometimes adults with special needs. A pediatric dentist is a general dentist with more training, skills, and experience in managing children. They typically spend two or three additional years in school after completing four years of dental training. For that reason, pediatric dentists can treat children's unique dental problems relatively easily.
They limit the scope of their treatment to children, while general dentists treat teens, young adults, working-age adults, and the elderly. If you have an infant or child, it is best to schedule an appointment with a pediatric dentist. Infants and children should be treated by a pediatric dentist throughout adolescence. The same is true for patients with special health needs. Children under 18 years of age usually see a pediatric dentist, while those over 18 years old usually see a general dentist such as Dr.
In terms of education and training, there is no difference between a general dentist and a family dentist. This means that some pediatric dentists allow patients to stay in their office after age 18 if they feel more comfortable doing so. Pediatric dentists are often experts at explaining the patient in terms that are appropriate for children and then talking to their parents as they would to an adult patient. Because children are more prone to tooth decay, pediatric dentists also help prevent and treat this problem before it affects permanent teeth. With their specialized training, pediatric dentists are often better equipped to treat problems specific to children. Throughout life, it is necessary to see the dentist regularly, but children often go to a different dentist than adults.
From the first visit, children should ideally visit the pediatric dentist at least once every six months. The general goal of pediatric dentists is to educate their patients to prevent oral diseases, cavities and other oral health problems in the future. Just as a pediatrician knows how to address the specific medical needs of children, a pediatric dentist knows how to address the specific dental problems of children. Pediatric dentists really play an important role in laying the foundation for successful dental health in later life.
Select the right pediatric dentist and you will undoubtedly be satisfied with how this professional interacts with your child. Many pediatric dentists are required to complete their training in hospital settings and treat young patients with serious oral health problems. Pediatric dentists are also trained to educate children on oral health topics using language appropriate for their development, helping patients to better understand the importance of good oral hygiene and how to practice it. In the case of a pediatric dentist, the doctor has chosen to obtain a specialty certification in pediatric dentistry, which requires two additional years of training during their residency.
In contrast, pediatric dentists are dental specialists and not general dentists, meaning that they have completed additional years of training.
