What’s the Difference Between a Pediatric Dentist and a Family Dentist?

All dentists are qualified to take care and maintain your oral health. However, when it is time to take your child to their first visit, you might be doubts on whether your family dentist is the right dental professional to go to. For many parents, they prefer to go to a pediatric dentist who specializes in oral care among children.

But does the kind of dentist you choose really matter? If they are qualified to offer preventive care, like professional cleanings and comprehensive examinations, then they should also be able to handle common dental treatments. But even if your child can get excellent dental care from both a family and pediatric dentist, there still are a few undeniable benefits to seeing the latter.

Pediatric vs. Family Dentist: Training

A family dentists usually receives at least three years of undergraduate education, which is followed by four years of dental school. After this, the dentist can already handle common dental concerns affecting people of all ages. To be a pediatric dentist, a general dentist will have to go through two or three years of intensive residency and specialty training.

Pediatric dentists specialize in oral care for infants, toddlers, children and teenagers. They are able to treat kids under sedation and anesthesia; treat medically-compromised kids; and manage growth and development concerns that affect the mouth, head and face. More importantly, these dentists can handle important preventive and restorative dental treatments that kids require in way that is tailored specifically for them.

Adolescents and teenagers have unique dental health challenges because to their rapid growth and development as they transition from childhood to adulthood. Although both family and pediatric dentists can address these needs, the latter are better equipped to provide continued care because of their familiarity with the child.

Pediatric vs. Family Dentist: Quality of Care

Pediatric dentists are the most trained and skilled dental professionals in preventive care as well as advocates for active preventive practices for infants up until six months. This makes them the best choice for prevention of oral cavities and disease among children. When it comes to treating active dental disease and tooth decay, pediatric dentists are in a better position in offering comprehensive and definitive dental treatment among kids.

It should be noted that there are general family dentists who have chosen to largely or even solely work with kids, and have even pursued continuing education in pediatric dental care. This makes them just as qualified as pediatric dentists in giving children preventive and restorative dental treatment. However, the challenge here is that many parents cannot properly determine that a family dentist has the necessary experience and expertise to give dental care to children.

Pediatric vs. Family Dentist: Child-Friendly Approach

One major concern of parents when taking their kids to the dentist is having a bad experience that causes the child to dread future visits. Pediatric dentists are trained in child behavior and psychology, so they know how to make them feel comfortable while on the dentist’s chair, including those with special needs. Here are some of components to providing child-friendly care:

Specialized equipment. While family dentists use standard-sized dental tools, pediatric dentists have smaller equipment tailored to a child’s mouth. this makes the kid more comfortable on the chair and less intimidated.
Fear management. Because pediatric dentists are used to working with small children, they take time in introducing the tools to the child without overwhelming them. This helps remove the fear of the unknown.
Special needs. Pediatric dentists are trained to effectively communicate with children. They can take time to get to know every patient and offer extra consideration and attention when needed.
Fun atmosphere. In contrast to the clinic environment of a family dentist, pediatric dental clinics are designed to create a fun and friendly environment to make any child feel more comfortable and confident.

Although both family and pediatric dentists will have the best interests of your child at heart and provide proper dental care, the benefits of bringing your kid to a pediatric dentist are still worth it. Consider the factors above when you find yourself having to make this important decision.