Pediatric dentistry

Pediatric dentistry (formerly pedodontics in American English or paedodontics in Commonwealth English) is the branch of dentistry dealing with children from birth through adolescence. The specialty of pediatric dentistry is recognized by the American Dental Association,Royal College of Dentists of Canada, and Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons.

Pediatric dentists promote the dental health of children as well as serve as educational resources for parents. It is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) that a dental visit should occur within six months after the presence of the first tooth or by a child's first birthday. The AAPD has said that it is important to establish a comprehensive and accessible ongoing relationship between the dentist and patient – referring to this as the patient's "dental home". This is because early oral examination aids in the detection of the early stages of tooth decay. Early detection is essential to maintain oral health, modify aberrant habits, and treat as needed and as simply as possible. Additionally, parents are given a program of preventative home care (brushing/flossing/fluorides), a caries risk assessment, information on finger, thumb, and pacifier habits, advice on preventing injuries to the mouth and teeth of children, diet counseling, and information on growth and development.

The first step would be to receive a bachelor's degree that focuses on biological sciences and even some child development, psychology, or even a business studies if they are wanting to open their own practice. While receiving a bachelor's degree it may be smart to intern or even volunteer for research for children that have illnesses to get first-hand experience working with children.

Second step would be to graduate from dental school. Depending on which school one goes to you would graduate with doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or with Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD). Both degrees are the same and require the same courses, it just depends on what that specific school labels it. In the first two years of dental school students will be learning dental sciences and procedures in a laboratory setting. Third and fourth year of dental school will be procedures of how to diagnose and treat adult patients under the supervision of a licensed dentist. After completely this they will be a DDS or DMD. They will also be exploring clinical exercises in groups as part of the learning process. In order to become a "specialist" in pediatrics, additional education is required. This may include a 24-month postgraduate residency program, which may result in a certificate or master's degree in pediatric dentistry, generally including courses in child development and child psychology. Specialized training might cover anesthesia, child oral trauma, orthodontics, oral medicine and infant oral health and child sedation. A large part of pediatric dentistry residence is spent in clinical environments observing and performing work on young real life patients.

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