Being A Pediatric Dentist And What That Means

A pediatrician is a medical practitioner – such as a nurse – that specializes in working with children. So, a pediatric dentist is a dentist that specializes in working with children. But, it’s a bit more complex than that.

Pediatric Dentists Undergo Special Training

General dentists also work with kids. And many of them do a very good job. But, there is a very big difference between a general dentist and a pediatric dentist. While general dentists and pediatric dentists both go to dental school and learn how to perform all of the standard procedures such as cleanings and what not, a pediatric dentist undergoes several years of postgraduate education in a clinical setting – such as a hospital – where they learn about many different oral health conditions. They learn the special procedures and methods for working with children and how to accommodate the specific needs that children have.

Pediatric Dentists Understand How A Child’s Mind Works

Pediatric dentists understand the special dental procedures, but they also understand children on a very deep level due to their knowledge of the cognitive development of children. This allows them to work directly with children on acknowledging dental fears and helping them remain calm during their dental appointment. One thing to remember is that a pediatric dentist only works with children, so they are more than well-equipped to provide a calming and comforting space for your child and their needs.

Pediatric Dentists Are Equipped To Work With Special Needs Children

Every child is different. This is a fact that all pediatric dentists know. Some children require special care that pediatric dentists are capable of delivering. General dentists are rarely equipped to deal with special needs children, but a pediatric dentist is. Whether it’s attention-deficit disorder or autism, a pediatric dentist is equipped to provide individualized, gentle, safe medical care to your special needs child.

Adult Teeth And Children’s Teeth Are Very Different

This may be hard to believe, but children’s teeth are very different from adult teeth. A pediatric dentist understands the anatomy of a child’s tooth and they know what tools and what treatments are the safest and most effective. A general dentist is not trained in that area, but a pediatric dentist is and they know exactly how to perform the special procedures that will insure the safety and sustained health of your child’s teeth.

What does it mean to be Certified by American Board of Pediatric Dentistry?

The American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD) is an organization that certifies pediatric dentists based on standards that lead to high quality oral health care for children of all ages and patients with special health care needs. Being certified by the APBD insures that a pediatric dentist has completed all of the accredited training as well as an examination process designed to validate the knowledge, skills, and experience that is necessary for quality patient care.

For more information, visit American Board of Pediatric Dentistry at www.abpd.org