WHY CHOOSE A PEDIATRIC DENTIST?

You have most likely chosen a pediatric dentist rather than a general (family) dentist for your child’s (children’s) dental health care for the same reason that you have chosen a pediatrician for their medical needs. The distinction is important.

A pediatric dentist is first a general dentist (often referred to as a family dentist) who then must complete a minimum of two additional years in a hospital affiliated specialty residency program in Pediatric Dentistry. This training encompasses comprehensive dentistry for all children and adolescents, and includes well, sick

and special needs patients.  It involves the proper diagnosis and treatment of all aspects of children’s oral health and development including restorative (reparative), preventive, emergency and orthodontic issues.  Great emphasis is also placed on child psychology and behavior guidance.  The pediatric dentist is therefore the only type of dentist fully trained and qualified to deliver all aspects of oral health care for children and teenagers.