Pediatric Dentistry: An Age Related Specialty
You may have noticed that children and teenagers are different than adults. Children and teenagers have different growth and development milestones which often translate to different needs both physically and emotionally in the dental setting.
Pediatric Dentistry
After a dentist completes a 4 year dental education, he or she takes the state licensure examination to earn the right to practice in the profession and treat patients. While over 80% of dentists make the decision to be in a general practice, there are those who decide to specialize in one of the 7 recognized specialties in dentistry.
The specialties in dentistry are Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics (braces), Pathology, Prosthodontics (crowns and bridges), Endodontics (root canals), Periodontics (gum disease) and Oral Surgery. When a dentist is passionate about children and is in the top third of his or her dental school class, they may make the decision to seek advanced education lasting a minimum of 2 years and focus their practice on the diagnosis, prevention, correction and treatment of dental problems of younger individuals.
The Pediatric Dentist in dentistry is akin to the Pediatrician in medicine. Each specialty limits his or her professional practice to caring for children and young adults. Each specialty understands the growth and development of young people and therefore can tailor treatment to their needs and not see them as little adults.
The following are some of the unique features of Pediatric Dentistry practice:
- Expert and specialized care for children and teens. When you make the decision to take your child to a Pediatric Dentist, you are choosing to take your child to a specialist. A pediatric dentist, unlike any other, has devoted his or her practice to caring for young people. A Pediatric Dentist has at least 2 additional years in dental specialty education to hone the knowledge and skill to best treat pediatric patients.
- Child-Friendly Environment: In a Pediatric Dental Office you will see an environment designed for the safety and comfort of children and teens. The office has bright colors and the treatment area is designed to calm the sometime anxious child.
- Highly trained staff with amazing skill to deal with children. The motto I use when interviewing for staff is “If you don’t love kids, don’t apply here!”
Pediatric Dentists cater to children as early as infants. Each individual pediatric dental practice sets their own upper age limit depending on the personality and skill set of the specialist. In our practice, we see young adults through college if they are comfortable mingling with younger patients.
Contact Dr. Beap today to schedule an appointment.
