Pediatric dentistry is the branch of medicine that is dedicated to the overall care of the oral cavity of children from infancy through adolescence. Although regular dental practitioners can attend to the basic oral health of children, pediatric dentists are the best practitioners to handle this task.
Pediatric dentists, aside from the regular four years of dental school, have completed an additional two years of residency training specifically for clients aged 0-18 years old, including those children with special needs.
The focus of the specialty education includes:
a. Child Psychology
b. Behavior Guidance
c. Preventive Oral Care
d. Restorative Dental Care
e. Interceptive Orthodontic Management
Pediatric dentists are competent in dealing with fearful and uncooperative children during dental exams. They also have special equipment and office decors suited to attract and comfort children, who are understandably apprehensive with dental exams. Plus, the oral health of the children are supervised, and maintained until they reach adulthood.
The areas of responsibilities of pediatric dentists include, but are not limited to, the following:
a. Health education for parents and caregivers of oral care for children.
b. Assessment of the entire oral cavity and adjacent/related structures.
c. Diagnosis of conditions, diseases or disorders of the teeth, gums, oral mucosa (lining), and other related tissues and structures of the mouth.
d. Preventive dental care (dental cleanings).
e. Risk assessment for caries, and other oral diseases.
f. Nutrition and diet recommendations for a healthy oral cavity.
g. Habit counseling. For example, children who are thumb sucking.
h. Repair of defects.
i. Treatment of tooth cavities.
j. Oral health problems associated with medical conditions such as congenital heart defect, diabetes, asthma, hyperactivity disorders, and hay fever.
k. Management of various gum and teeth diseases and conditions.
l. Care for dental injuries such as displaced, fractured, broken, or knocked-out teeth.
Oral health is essential to the overall health of the child. Many parents commit the error of not giving priority care to the oral health of their children, thinking that they just have temporary teeth. However, the absence of proper dental care during this stage may possibly lead to a lifetime of oral health problems for the child. Aside from this, complications in the child's speech, and emotional and psychosocial well-being may arise.
Hence, oral care should start even prior to the emergence of the first tooth. Parents are advised to seek the services of the pediatric dentists to care of their children's oral health. A dental check-up is recommended every six months. However, this could vary according to the child's oral health condition and needs.
To sum up, parents and pediatric dentists are partners when it comes to the child's oral health. Healthy oral habits such as regular visits to a pediatric dentist in Dupont Circle DC, a balanced diet, and proper daily dental care are important for the overall health and well-being of the child.