Pediatric dentistry is a professional specialty dedicated to infants and children that provides comprehensive preventive and therapeutic oral health care through adolescent, including children with special health care needs.
A dentist who specializes in pediatrics work in conjunction with other healthcare providers and members of social disciplines for the health benefit of children.
Also, they undergo an additional two years of training on the special treatments of the oral health needs of children.
Pediatric dentists undergo specific training on how to make your child feel very comfortable about dental treatment and how to make you and your child experience a happy one.
In addition, they have received extensive training in treating mentally or physically challenged children.
WHAT QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION ARE REQUIRED FOR PEDIATRIC DENTISTS?
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PEDIATRIC SPECIALISTS?
In addition to traditional fields of dentistry, pediatric dentistry encompasses training such as behavior guidance, care of developmentally compromised and disabled patients, supervision of orofacial growth and development, and hospital dentistry.
These skills are applied to meet the oral health needs of all your children throughout their changing stages of development.
WHY WOULD A PARENT CHOOSE A PEDIATRIC DENTIST?
How long should your child go to a pediatric dentist?
Pediatric dentist Work Environment
They also have opportunities in franchise settings. Some pediatric dentists may be on call and respond to trauma and emergencies in office and hospital settings.
Pediatric dentists can also teach and supervise clinical practice in dental schools and residency programs. Some are engaged in research at medical centers, children's hospitals or corporate labs.
Majority of people practicing pediatric dentists are women. Most pediatric dentists work full-time but with the ability to control their own schedules, many pediatric dentists I interview say they're very satisfied with their work and family lifestyle.
Ten Reasons to Be a Dentist
Tomorrow's you can be dentists using latest cutting edge technology, using lasers and computer-assisted diagnostics, and making the practice of dentistry more challenging and rewarding.
Ten Great Reasons to Be a Dentist
- Be of Service to Others: Help people maintain and improve their oral health, quality of life and appearance in your community.
- Balanced your Lifestyle: Dentistry offers flexibility to balance professional and personal life
- Empower Your Patients: Give patients a reason to smiles and wear.
- Technology and Research: Be involved with the scientific advancement of dentistry
- Be a Leader: Earn respect from your family, friends, and community
- Prevention/Education: Give health talk on the importance of oral health in your community
- Detect Disease: Treat oral health and detect disease – including cancer and cardiovascular disease
- Be Creative: Use your artistic and scientific talents
- Success Potential: With the aging population andthe increase in access to care, the demand and need for dentistry is on the rise
- Self-Employment: Own a dental practice and be your own boss
It's a career that allows you a chance to be your own boss and own a dental practice. New exciting scientific breakthroughs in gene therapy and biotechnology offer dentists an opportunity to preserve their patient's smiles and self esteem.
- To become a pediatric dentist, you must first be a graduate of an accredited dental school, which is four years of specialized study beyond the bachelor's degree. Dental school admissions are competitive, since there are only 27 fully accredited medical/dental schools in Nigeria and four not fully accredited throughout the country. Although there is no general requirement every dental school may be different. But, a pre-dental program should teach you on the following courses and provide you with a strong foundation in life sciences, mathematics, chemistry, physics and psychology. Successful applicants typically have a grade point average of 3.4 or higher and score at least 19.5 on the Dental Admissions Test (DAT).
- During the first two years of dental school, students participate in lecture and lab courses in advanced life sciences, an anatomy of the head and neck and pharmacology. They are introduced to supervised clinical practice. They assume greater responsibility and undertake more complex procedures as they progress through the third and fourth years of their studies. Upon graduation, students receive the designation D.D.S. (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or D.M.D. (Doctor of Medical Dentistry). The designation earned depends on which degree is awarded by the school attended. There is no difference in the degrees in terms of educational preparation, licensing or job opportunities.
- After dental school, a pediatric dentist completes two years of additional training. Pediatric dentistry residents study advanced diagnostic and surgical procedures, child development and psychology, trauma management, and treating patients with special needs. They also study child-related pharmacology and anesthesiology.
- Pediatric dentists must be licensed by the state in which they practice. Although board certification is not required, dentists who have successfully completed a pediatric residency can sit for the rigorous board exam. Certification adds to a dentist's professional standing and may enhance employment and salary opportunities.
RELATED READING
- At What Age Your Child Must Visit An Orthodontist?
- 5 Truths and 5 Myths About Alcohol Consumption and Your Oral Health
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry: What is a Pediatric Dentist?
- Healthy Children: What is a Pediatric Dentist?
- PayScale.com: Pediatric Dentist Salary
- Medical and dental council of nigeria
- American Student Dental Association: US Dental Schools
- DAT Prep: DAT Scores for US Dental Schools
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry: Residency Programs
- Salary.com: Dentist Salaries
- American dental association: Be a dentist