Pediatric Dentist

Pediatric dentists specialize in the comprehensive oral health care for infants, children, and individuals with special needs. They provide preventive dental care, diagnostic services, and treatment of diseases of the oral cavity. Pediatric dentists emphasize prevention of oral disease through patient and parent education, preventive measures such as diet modification, restorative care for existing dental problems involving both primary and permanent teeth, and interceptive orthodontics for early correction of developing problems. Pediatric dentists encourage good oral hygiene from infancy, monitor eruption of primary and permanent teeth, and diagnose and monitor growth and development of the teeth and skeletal system. Pediatric dentists provide comprehensive care for caries, trauma, oral pathological lesions, anomalies, and malocclusions. They provide dental care in a positive and comfortable environment for young patients. Using preventive strategies such as fluoride treatments, sealants, topical anesthetics, and sometimes antibiotics, pediatric dentists help to reduce incidences of dental caries and other oral health diseases. Furthermore, they are often consulted for counseling of behavior management techniques and sedation or general anesthesia for patient management. Pediatric dentists are an important component of the interdisciplinary medical teams for children with special health care needs such as cleft lip and palate patients, genetic syndromes, and medically compromised patients. They also work closely with other health care providers such as pediatricians, orthodontists, speech pathologists and oral surgeons to ensure comprehensive and coordinated care. Pediatric dentists understand the physical, emotional, and behavioral issues involved in caring for children. They use an approach that recognizes the unique needs of each child and encourages a positive attitude toward dental care. Therefore, a pediatric dentist is an integral part of a child's development.