In the case of dental care in children, a question that arises in most parents is whether a pediatric dentist or a General Dentist (also known as a family dentist) is the most suitable dentist.
Training and Education Background.
Pediatric dentists and general dentists undergo the same basic training, four years of undergraduate education and four years of dental school to give rise to a dental degree. But afterwards, the lines parted, after dental school:
General dentists: General dentists start their practices immediately after they have completed dental school, and are allowed to handle patients of any age. They can identify themselves as family dentists to show that they treat both children and adults, although they will not get extra training as pediatric dentists.
Pediatric Dentists: From this group of professionals, two to three more years of speciality resident training are required with a specialised focus on the oral health of infants, children, teens, and regularly special needs patients. This advanced training will cover child behaviour management, growth and development, pediatric sedation, oral pathology, radiology and the process of taking care of dental trauma in young patients.
Focus of Care and Expertise
The core distinction between a pediatric and a general dentist is in the area of their focus:
General Dentists: They offer a wide variety of dental interventions, such as cleanings, fillings, crowns, extractions, routine preventive care and cosmetic treatments (both adult and pediatric). Their training prepares them to attend to dental problems of all ages, and is not based on the specifics of dental development in childhood.
Pediatric Dentists: The practice of this speciality is confined to infants to adolescents only. They focus on the problems specific to these age groups such as early childhood caries (cavities in very young children), developmental malformations, dental emergencies common in children, as well as, procedures that involve primary (baby) and immature permanent teeth.
Child-Focused Environment
The other critical difference is the caring environment:
General Dental Offices are usually made to appeal to patients of all ages. They will be more clinical, adult-oriented. Although most general dentists accept children, the environment and specific materials that they use might not necessarily be appropriate for young patients.
The Pediatric Dental Offices are designed specifically to make them feel comfortable and entertaining to the children, with colourful decoration, toys, games and equipment of small mouth size. These factors contribute to the minimisation of fear and also make visits more of an entertaining thing than a doctor visit. The child-friendly communication is also trained on pediatric staff to communicate with the kids using language and techniques that make them understand what is happening without an intimidating manner.
Behaviour Control and Communication.
The responses that children have towards their visits to a dental clinic may be either curious and cooperative or nervous and fearful. Pediatric dentists are also equipped with behaviour regulation methods that help children unwind and concentrate on treatment and be receptive. These abilities are the application of positive reinforcement, distraction, and developmentally adequate explanations. Most general dentists are a good practitioners who offer easy treatment and good experiences, although they are not adequately trained in child psychology and management of pediatric behaviour.
