Pediatric Dentist V/S General Dentist: A Comprehensive Comparison
In general, children are afraid of dental doctors, and so are adults. Prioritize the doctor who is highly qualified and experienced to deal with your children’s teeth.
It's no secret that children can be anxious about going to the dentist. In fact, many adults are, too. But when it comes to your child's dental health, it's important to choose a dentist who has the experience and training to work with young patients. That's why you may want to consider a pediatric dentist for your child.
What is a pediatric dentist?
A pediatric dentist is a specialist who has undergone training specifically for treating children. They have the skills and knowledge required to ensure that your child’s teeth are healthy and free from cavities. A kids dentist in Edmonton can also provide guidance on how to care for your child’s teeth as they grow and develop.
What is a general dentist?
A general dentist is a dentist who provides general dental care for all patients. They are trained to diagnose and treat dental problems for people of all ages. While general dentists may have experience treating children, they are not specialists in this area.
What is the difference between a pediatric dentist and a general dentist?
Education and training: A general dentist must complete four years of dental school. On the other hand, a pediatric dentist completes two to three years of residency training in pediatric dentistry after dental school. This training is focused on the unique needs of children, which includes the development of their teeth, gums, and jaws, child psychology, behavior management, oral surgery, and sedation.
Experience: A general dentist has a broad range of experience in all aspects of dentistry. Moreover, they can have more experience than pediatric dentists. However, a children's dentist in Edmonton is more familiar with the unique dental needs of children and has experience in caring for child’s teeth. They also have access to special equipment and techniques that make dental procedures more comfortable for kids.
Office environment: The office environment of a pediatric dentist is typically designed to be fun and inviting for children. The waiting room may have toys and games, and the treatment room may have TV’s and other distractions. The staff is typically trained in child psychology and behaviour management. On the other hand, the office environment of a general dentist is typically more subdued. The waiting room may have magazines and TV’s, but the atmosphere is typically more relaxed. The staff is typically friendly and accommodating, but they may not have the same level of training in child psychology and behaviour management.
Dental equipment: Dental equipment is typically the same for both pediatric dentists and general dentists. However, pediatric dentists may have additional equipment, such as smaller dental chairs and instruments, to better accommodate the needs of children.
The bottom line
The main difference between a pediatric dentist and a general dentist is the type of patients that they see. A pediatric dentist only sees children while a general dentist sees patients of all ages. Pediatric dentists are also specially trained to work with children who have special needs, such as those with autism or other developmental disabilities.
General dentists can perform all of the same dental procedures as pediatric dentists. However, pediatric dentists may have additional training in procedures that are specific to children, such as sedation dentistry or the treatment of baby teeth.
So, if you need a dentist for your child who is anxious about going to the dentist, you may want to choose a pediatric dental clinic in Edmonton. A pediatric dentist is trained to deal with the unique dental needs of children.
