Pediatric Dentist vs. General Dentist – What’s in a name?

Thursday, September 9, 2010 by Michelle Stafford, DDS

So what is really different about your general family dentist vs. a pediatric dentist? Yes, we can figure out that pediatric dentists work with kids, but what sets them apart, and is it worth the extra money spent visiting a specialist?

Our response will obviously be a resounding ‘YES‘ to that question – and here is the reason why.  

A pediatric dentist is trained beyond dental school in caring for children with special healthcare needs, as well as understanding the unique needs of a child. Experience (and research) has taught us that children are definitively not just ‘little adults’ and as such they have needs apart from our own as adults. As parents, we know that introducing our children to new experiences and teaching them about the world around them takes on a new light when seen through 3 foot-high vision, and so working with a doctor and staff that are trained specifically to work with a child’s worldview is extremely important to laying the foundation to a positive visit.

General dentists do not uniformly receive training in care of special patients and children in general, although some may have had additional training after dental school encompassing patients with special healthcare needs. Pediatric dentists are also more likely to have affiliations with hospitals and established relationships with pediatricians and other child specialists, which creates a network of health professionals dedicated to your child’s well being.

It’s also important to choose a pediatric dentist that has sought additional voluntary certifications by the Board of Pediatric Dentistry. These dentists have completed additional hours of training and studies to prepare them to educate families and identify specialized treatment that many general dentists may not recognize.

We invite you to come visit us at World of Smiles, Pediatric Dentistry for a complimentary tour to see what is different about our holistic, child-centered practice!

Tags: Happy and fun dental office for kids, Kids dentist with out BPA and Mercury, my childs first dentist, pediatric dentist, What makes World of Smiles Unique?

Written by Michelle Stafford, DDS