Pediatric and family dentists each provide quality care, but there are some key differences between the professions. This blog will compare pediatric and family dentists, helping you make the right treatment decision for your child.
Training
General dentists attend dental school to receive their training. General dentists can label themselves a family dentist, which typically indicates that a general dentist welcomes families with children to their practice.
Pediatric dentists are the pediatricians of dentistry. A pediatric dentist has two to three years specialty training following dental school and limits their practice to treating children only. Pediatric dentists are primary and specialty oral care providers for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health needs.
Experience
Pediatric dentists have a breadth of knowledge about children's dental issues.. They understand how a child grows and develops, and they know how their treatment decisions may impact the child into adulthood.
Chairside Manner
Pediatric dentists love working with children and it shows. They strive to make appointments fun, educational, and exciting for their patients. They know many behavioral strategies to keep even the most nervous child calm in the chair.
Focus on Home Care
Pediatric dentists focus a significant amount of time teaching children and their parents about proper at-home oral care. They can help give suggestions on how to incorporate tooth brushing into bedtime routines. They also can offer suggestions on how to position your child during tooth brushing, so parents can be the most effective and efficient when assisting their child.
Office Environment
Children appreciate being in a child-centered space. Pediatric dentists tailor their dental chairs, equipment, and waiting areas to their young patients' needs. They may have amenities like toys, books, and TV screens to keep children occupied. They may also offer a prize at the end of each appointment.
Updated Treatment Protocols
Pediatric dentists stay current with the newest developments in the field. Pediatric dentists recommend children have their first dental visit by their first birthday or within 6 months of the first tooth coming in. Pediatric dentists often see childrens for well care visits every 6 months and start dental radiographs when the molars in the back start to touch, or unless otherwise indicated.
Parental Guidance
Pediatric dentists offer excellent advice and guidance to parents who need help setting up home oral care routines.
Support Staff
The entire staff has experience with children and families in a pediatric dentist's office. Parents do not need to feel like they are imposing on the support staff by having their children in the office.
Call Marigold Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
When you compare a pediatric dentist with a family dentist, you will realize that a pediatric dentist has advanced education and techniques to manage your child's oral health as they grow into adolescence. Please call our Maplewood, NJ, office at 973-821-7161 to discover more about our services and make an appointment for your child.