Choosing the right dentist for your little one should not be a decision you make lightly. Their smiles are growing, and who you entrust with their oral health can make a big difference as they get older. Is a pediatric or general dentist best? The only way to find out is to continue reading to discover how the two vary and which one will deliver the kind of treatment and care your child needs.

What Are the Key Differences Between a Pediatric & General Dentist?

While both professionals must obtain a DDS or DMD degree from an accredited dental school, there are differences between them that can help you determine which one should be entrusted with your child’s smile. These include:

• Pediatric dentists have more specialized training, as they are required to attend additional years of schooling as well as in-depth training that focuses on tooth and jaw development in young children. General dentists can pursue more training in various fields but do not specialize in one specific aspect of dentistry.
• Pediatric dentists only see children between the ages of 6 months to 18 years on average. The services provided are tailored to younger patients. General dentists may see school-aged kids or teenagers, but their primary focus is adult dentistry.
• Pediatric dentists often provide kid-friendly spaces that promote positivity, excitement, safety, and comfort. General dentists often have more basic dental offices centered around what adults need and prefer.
• Some pediatric dentists provide special needs dental care for individuals who have intellectual and behavioral disabilities and need accommodating care. General dentists often do not provide this service.

What Kind of Services Are Provided by a Pediatric Dentist?

Although you may have friends and family members praising a local general dentist in the area, it’s important to remember that your child’s smile is different from an adult’s. While some of the treatments they need are the same or similar to those provided to someone older, their oral development is at a different stage, which means they need a uniquely designed form of care.

Some of the more common services you can expect to find at a pediatric dental office include:

• Dental checkups and cleanings (every six months)
• Fluoride treatment
• Dental sealants
• Custom athletic mouthguards and nightguards
• Silver diamine fluoride
• Emergency dentistry
• Frenectomies (lip and tongue tie treatment)
• Tooth-colored fillings
• Metal-free dental crowns and restorations
• Pulp therapy
• Tooth extractions
• Teeth whitening
• Direct bonding
• Early orthodontics (i.e., Phase 1 Orthodontics, space maintainers, etc.)

Seeing a pediatric dentist is one of the best decisions you can make for your child’s oral and overall health. Combining their advanced education and training with their focused approach, you’ll notice a positive progression over the years as your child’s smile grows healthily and on track.

About the Authors
Dr. Justin Chan and Dr. Sage Yoo are board-certified pediatric dentists and fathers. Their commitment to caring for young smiles is evident in the services they provide and the level of care and compassion they offer. With an office that promotes a kid-friendly environment and a top-tier dental team whose purpose is to ensure positive, safe, and comfortable appointments, you can trust that your child’s smile is in the best possible hands. Visit our website or call (469) 294-8217 to learn more about pediatric dentistry and why it’s the right solution for your baby, child, or teen.