Selecting a dental care provider for your child can be confusing. While a “family” dentist would seem to make sense from a simplicity point of view (one dentist to treat the entire family), the idea of a dentist who focuses on kids only is also appealing. How can you decide? Longtime family dentist Allen Daniels, DDS, of Bright Dental in Bright, Indiana, says the differences between family and pediatric dentists go beyond the types of patients they treat. Here Dr. Daniels discusses the differences between family and pediatric dentists and talks about which type of practitioner is more appropriate for certain special situations.
Although I own a “family” dental practice, I actually rather dislike the term. I think it’s inaccurate and widely overused. The phrase “family dentist” would seem to refer simply to a dentist who treats every member of the family, but it doesn’t help you to understand what the dentist is qualified to do. For this reason, rather than refer to myself as a family dentist, I prefer “general practitioner.” This means that I’m a dentist who has not chosen to specialize in one particular area of dentistry; but who instead has a broad skill set and wide knowledge base, and is able to handle a very wide range of cases.
In contrast, the phrase “pediatric dentist” is much more to the point. It refers to a dentist who treats children exclusively. I was a pediatric dentist for five years and I loved it. It was the most fun I’ve ever had in all my years of dentistry. Not only is it enjoyable to work with children each day, it’s also rewarding to be able to do something positive for them. And helping them learn to take care of their teeth is one of the most important things anyone can do for a child.
Pediatric dentistry is about more than having a brightly-colored office and tiny chairs. When you work with children exclusively, you have to be more than just a good dentist. You have to be personable, funny and able to help kids understand the importance of taking care of their teeth. Pediatric dentistry, regardless of who the operator is, is largely about making sure dental visits are painless and fun. This helps keep kids engaged in the process and encourages them to practice good oral hygiene at home.
Beyond office décor and personality types, though, the real differences between a pediatric dentist and a general practitioner lies in their training. A pediatric dentist is geared toward children exclusively — particularly small children — and they are well-trained and prepared to deal with such difficult situations as behavior problems. In many cases, pediatric dentists also handle special cases — individuals with disabilities or who are hospitalized — which general practitioners normally do not.
A general practitioner, however, has also been trained to treat children and, depending on his individual training and certifications, may also be equipped to handle the same types of special situations a pediatric dentist is trained to handle. As an example, some general practitioners are well-versed in sedation techniques and anesthesia and some are not. Pediatric dentists, on the other hand, are trained in giving sedation. The reason for this is that general anesthesia is the standard approach when a child or a person with a disability needs extensive dental treatment. Without it, it’s often impossible to ensure that the treatment can be performed safely and comfortablely.
The bottom line? A pediatric dentist is limited in terms of who he treats while a general practitioner, or family dentist, treats all types of patients under normal circumstances. Unless special considerations are involved, whether you choose a pediatric or family dentist for your child is largely a matter of personal preference. Are office décor and a kid-centered atmosphere important to you? If so, a pediatric dentist may be right for your child. If you are less concerned about atmosphere, and you like your own dental care provider, you can certainly bring your child to the same dentist who treats the other members of your family.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
