What is the difference between a pediatric dentist and a general dentist?
Pediatric dentists are specialists in treating the dental health of children and patients with special needs. They are also referred to as the pediatricians of dentistry. A pediatric dentist has up to three years of specialty training beyond that of a general dentist. Pediatric dentists focus on the oral health and unique needs of infants and children through adolescence. When the child graduates from high school, the child also graduates from the pediatric dentist.
Pediatric dentists are specialists in treating the dental health of children and patients with special needs. They are also referred to as the pediatricians of dentistry. A pediatric dentist has up to three years of specialty training beyond that of a general dentist. Pediatric dentists focus on the oral health and unique needs of infants and children through adolescence. When the child graduates from high school, the child also graduates from the pediatric dentist.
Pediatric dentists are the pediatricians of dentistry. Pediatric dentists have two to three years of specialty training following dental school. In the State of Nevada any dental specialist will have a specialty license. General dentists may limit their practice to see children, but they are not specialists. They do not have a specialty license in the state of Nevada. It’s like the family doctor calling himself a pediatrician.
A general dentist is a universal dental professional trained to treat patients of all ages. A pediatric dentist has an additional 2 – 3 years of specialized training and specifically treats patients ages 0 – 18 years. The pediatric dental community set pediatric dental policies for the dental profession; provide family dental education and early detection of oral health problems for babies by their first birthday; practice sedation dentistry for young uncooperative patients with dental needs; care for patients with physical, emotional and cognitive disabilities; work in hospital settings; provide interdisciplinary dental treatments for patients with medical implications, genetic disabilities, maxillofacial defects and more.
A pediatic dentist or children dentist has additional training to understand special needs of children in dentistry. Young children may not be cooperative and understand the needs for proper dental care. Children dentists are better trained to make their dental experience more enjoyable.
