What Is A Kid’s Dentist?
A kid’s dentist is formally known as a pediatric dentist. Pediatric dentists are dental practitioners who are responsible for providing dental care to children from infancy to their teenage years.
What Kind Of Training Does A Pediatric Dentist Have?
A pediatric dentist has the following educational background –
- A college degree in health science, biomedical science, or social science
- Four years of dental school, graduating as either a DDS or a DMD
- Additional in-depth training from a postgraduate residency program
The specialized training covers all aspects of oral health care for kids. It encompasses –
- Behavior management
- Sedation
- Restorative dentistry
- Preventive dentistry
- Oral trauma management
- Interceptive orthodontics
- Oral medicine and pathology
Once the post-graduate training is complete, the dentist has to pass the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD) exam. Successful completion of the exam allows the dentist to practice as a board-certified pediatric dentist.
Why Is A Pediatric Dentist Important?
Pediatric Dentists Are Experts On Children’s Dental Issues
Pediatric Dentists Are Trained To Provide Dental Care To Kids
A child’s mouth grows and develops as they grow older. Pediatric dentists are skilled at providing dental care throughout the growing years, allowing them to plan treatments around the child’s growth and development.
Furthermore, they know to intervene at appropriate times to prevent serious issues from developing in the future, as in the case of orthodontic issues.
In addition to the above, certain dental issues are seen primarily in kids. For example, early childhood caries is a common issue that plagues little kids. If left untreated, it can lead to serious complications. Pediatric dentists are experts at recognizing and treating these issues before they can get any worse.
Pediatric Dentists Understand Kids’ Behavior
It is no secret that children react differently to dental visits than adults. A kid’s dentist is specially trained in behavior guidance and child psychology. This helps them in easing the fears of children of different temperaments and developmental levels and creating a positive experience for them.
Additionally, pediatric dentists also educate children about caring for their oral health using language that they can understand. This allows children to better understand how to practice good oral hygiene and its importance.
Kid-Friendly Environment At A Pediatric Dental Office
- Child-friendly décor
- Fun, lively colors
- Television sets with kid’s movies playing
- A play area
- Rewards for successful incident-free visits
What Services Does A Pediatric Dentist Provide?
Pediatric dentists provide various services catering to a child’s dental health, including –
- Oral health exams of infants that include caries risk assessment in both mother and child
- Preventive care such as professional cleaning and fluoride and sealant treatments
- Dietary recommendations to children
- Habit counseling for kids with habits such as using a pacifier, thumb sucking, etc.
- Early orthodontic assessment and treatment for correcting an improper bite and straightening teeth
- Repair of tooth defects and cavities
- Diagnosis of oral conditions associated with medical diseases such as congenital heart defect, diabetes, hay fever, asthma, etc.
- Management of diseases and conditions associated with the gums, including ulcers, pediatric periodontal disease, short frenulum, etc.
- Care for injured teeth (fractured, knocked-out, or displaced teeth)
Pediatric Dentist At Osseo Family Dental
The American Dental Association advises that you bring your child in for their first dental visit with the eruption of the first tooth. It is recommended that you not wait until after the child is a year old. Many parents assume that since the milk teeth fall off, they don’t require routine dental checkups.
However, that is far from the truth. Milk teeth are just as important as permanent teeth. They play the following important roles –
- Biting, grinding, and chewing the food
- Speech training and patterns
- They are the basis of the development of the muscles and jaw bone
- Provide the necessary room for permanent teeth to erupt
At Osseo Family Dental, we are more than happy to look after not just you, but also your kids. With decades of experience, our dental experts, Doctors Greg Joiner and Rovert Springer are your go-to dental practitioners in Osseo, MN.
To schedule an appointment, call us at (763) 425-2626. You can also fill in this form and we’ll get in touch with you as soon as possible!