Pedodontist: Dentistry for Children
Pedodontists (or pediatric dentists) are dentist who specialize in providing care and treatment for children. To become a certified pedodontist raleigh nc requires completion of two to three years of training beyond graduating from dental school, with a specialized course of dentistry that focuses on providing dental treatment for children with special needs or who require gentler care. This coursework also involves training in hospitals with children who require special supports or who experience dental emergencies, as well as training in child development and psychology, teeth-straightening methods, conscious sedation and general anesthesia, and care for oral/facial trauma.
In addition to completing this rigorous course of study, pediatric dentists are required to take continuing education courses to retain their certification.
Benefits of Seeing a Pediatric Dentist
Although pediatric dentists and general dentists perform many of the same procedures, the biggest benefit to seeing a pediatric dentist is that they are specialized in performing certain procedures for children, and have received additional training in the psychological considerations and proper methodologies for effectively treating infants, children, adolescents, and individuals with mental or physical disabilities.
Treatment Methodology
It is common for children to experience anxiety or uncertainty when visiting the dentist. For this reason, it is critical to work with a pediatric dentist who has been trained in effective behavioral guidance techniques, which are designed to help calm the child’s fears and guide them through any procedures that might be painful. There are a range of approaches to this type of care which will be informed by the parent’s personal preferences, the child’s dental needs, and the intellectual and emotional maturity of the child.
Pediatric dentists are also trained in a variety of methodologies for communicating with their patients, including speaking in a soothing voice that is designed to calm the child or divert their attention to something else.
The two most frequently used communication techniques are:
- Positive reinforcement: This approach focuses on praising the patient for behaving well, and encourages them to stay calm and resilient when undergoing treatment that is designed to help them.
- Tell-show-do: This approach involves explaining what the dentist is going to do and why they are going to do it in a manner that is understandable to the child.
Finding the Right Pediatric Dentist
It is important for parents and children to find a pediatric dentist that is right for them. In considering who your pediatric dentist should be, it may be helpful to ask prospective clinics the following questions:
Do they have specialized training in working with children?
- How kid friendly is their office? Are there games, toys, kid-sized furniture, etc?
- Is the office geographically convenient?
- What are their regular operating business hours?
- What are their policies for dental emergencies?
- What types of dental insurance do they accept?
While these questions are important, the best way to determine what pediodontist is right for you is to schedule a consultation to visit their office, meet the staff, and see what feels right to you and your child. By taking this step, you can feel confident that you are making the best decision for your child and giving them the support they need to enjoy a lifetime of good oral health.
More about Pediatric Dentistry : At what age should I take my child to the dentist?