subject: What Is A Pediatric Dentist? [print this page] Most dentists in Palatine are general practitioners who conduct checkups and perform basic procedures such as filling cavities. There are however, several dental specialties. These are similar to the specialties which are found in medical doctors, where after completing basic (dental) school, the doctor will then go on to study in a specialty for a number of years in order to gain more specialized expertise in a very narrow area of practice. One of these specialties that are often studied is that of pediatric dentistry.
There are nine specialties which are officially recognized by the American Dental Association, and Pedodontics (pediatric dentistry) is one of them. This is a specialty which basically focuses on the teeth of a human being from birth until adolescence when all the adult teeth have become established. There are many focus areas which are unique to this specialty, which is why so often it is important for children to see an actual pediatric dentist.
After a dental degree has been received, it is then normal for a pediatric dentist to attend another two to three years of specialized training. A doctor does not become an officially recognized pediatric dentist until they have achieved board certification from the ABPD, the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
There are several things which separate this type of practice from that which is used by a generalized dentist. One of the most important of these is the focus the specialty places on child psychology. Children can be more sensitive, and are often afraid when going to the dentist. By focusing on child psychology, the dentist not only learns how to earn patient trust, but also studies how to work with children to help build effective dental habits so that they can enjoy lifelong oral health.
Much of the focus of pediatric dentistry is in preventative maintenance. There is a strong emphasis on education, teaching children about proper ways to look after their teeth and ways to prevent tooth decay. This includes everything from proper nutritional advice to teaching children how to properly brush and look after their teeth.
Children are actually recommended to make their first visit to a dentist before their first birthday, or six months after their first tooth appears. That is because early detection is the key to preventing any kind of tooth decay. This is also important for parent education, as it provides a resource for them to learn about infant dental care.
by: Todd Devins
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