Would you prefer to take your child to a general dentist or a pediatric dentist?

Question

I am currently applying to dental school and would like to work with children. I am just curious if you were looking for a dentist to take your child to which would you choose. I want to see if it is worth my while to specialize in pediatric dentistry.

Thank you all for your answers. I appreciate the replies. I love children and have a daughter of my own. My dentist is a general dentist but he also does children. He is very nice and understanding and made the experience as pleasurable as it could be. I was just curious to see what other people do with their children because I want to deal with just children. I know of quite a few general dentists that work with kids, but I've never seen one that works only with kids. I've also heard horror stories, as some of you have experienced, of general dentists that 'torture' the children. (I think even one occurance of a pediatric dentist) I thought about taking just a few pediatric dentistry classes, but I think taking the two extra years to specialize is my best bet.

Thanks again for your responses!

Answer 1

I would take my children to a dentist that understands about adults as well as chilldren. I see no reason why you cannot become an adult dentist and specialise with pediatric patients. I carried my children to our family dentist. Although he had many adult patients he was very good with children. He understood children and the nature of the different ages and helped his younger patients. He knew how to work with their fears and the thought of a painful experience. He spent the time with them and allowed them the time it took to assure them and tried to have their visit to the dentist a more impression of going to the dentist even if they experienced a procedure that involved some pain. No matter what you to specialise in being a dentist, why not both, some adults maybe as fearful as children. Our dentist made the area for the children, child friendly. I'm sure that you will do the best, adult or children, because you are asking and seem concerned for both. Good luck. These days in education the programs seem to go together.

Answer 2

Pediatric dentists started out as general dentist. Pediatric dentist are trained specifically to treat children and treat children properly. I went with my four year old cousin today to a "kids dentist", they are actually just general dentist who treat children. I am very disappointed with the place. They do not have the knowledge or ability to treat children properly. They are not able to perform any form of sedation on children, which is very necessary for most 2-6 year olds. They basically just hold them down and torture them until the work is done. If you are really interested in seeing children I would definitely go with pediatrics. Treating adults and children are very different. Don't do it if you can't do it right. I am also a pediatric dental assistant. We constantly see children with severe anxiety, because of the experiences they have had with general dentist. Working with kids is great, but in order for it to be effective it needs to be by someone with the knowledge to do so. Hope this helps. Sorry about my rant on why a place that treats only children is able to get away with torturing their patients.

Answer 3

I took my daughter to a pediatric dentist and he was great thee problem was moving her to the reg dentist when she was old enough. No more toys. he always gave them a token to use in this gum ball type machine obviously not gum in it. Usually was things like a ring or bracelet for the girls and then they would get an eraser or pencil if they were in school with the tooth brush. He was great.
My son on the on the other hand went to an adult from the time he was 8 as he was involved in an accident when her was 8 and a car hit his bike and he flew over the hood of the car and ended up face down on the pavement with two broken front teeth. That dentist took over for the next several years ending with capped teeth when he was19. With great results. So what ever your child feels more comfortable with the important thing is get them to a dentist. Many family dentists are great with kids. Make sure your kid is old enough not understand not to bit the dentist. On the initial visit, you may want them to go with you and they can watch you for a regular exam and see that you are fine so then when it is their turn they will know what to expect

Answer 4

We took ours to a pediatric dentist at about age 2-3. The early checkups were mostly about getting used to going to the dentist. We liked the pediatric dental office because everything was set up to reassure kids - from the taste of the toothpaste to the color of the uniforms to the "chairside" manner of the hygienists and dentist. Incidentally, that pediatric dentist was married to an orthodontist - so guess where her referrals went for braces? It must have been quite the lucrative family business.

Answer 5

I am 12 and I used to go to a Pediatric dentist and he was no good he gave children treatments that weren't nessicary. I go to a general dentist and the sign says "Adults, Teens, and Children". I like him better and in the offices they have childrens books and a TV that shows cartoons and stuffed animals its much more friendly and he doesn't give treatments that are not needed. But if there was a better children's dentist (in town) my mom would probably take me there.

Answer 6

I think that when my son gets old enough to start seeing a dentist I will try with a general dentist first and if that doesn't work then I will take him to a pediatric dentist. I am a dental assistant and I have polished alot of children's teeth.

Answer 7

My son is 2 and getting ready for his first dental appointment and I intend to take him to a pediatric dentist because I think they have more empathy and training to deal with children and are also more aware of potential problems that the child might face as he gets older.

Answer 8

My son is 11 years old and has always gone to a pediatric dentist. The dentist he goes to is great and they specialize in kids. He doens't mind going to the dentist when he knows he is going to get a prize.

Answer 9

I worked in pediatric dentistry for more than half of my 20yrs as a dental hygienist. Children, especially small kids, or children with alot of dental problems are much better off with a pedodontic dr than one in gereral or family practice. Pediatric dentists go to college longer and its their choice to specialize,so you know they want to work on your 4yr old. A family dentist my be accomadating to you but may not be thrilled you brought your baby to him or her for a filling. CHOOSE A PEDIATRIC DENTIST THAT ALLOWS YOU TO ACCOMPANY YOUR CHILD PAST THE WAITING ROOM AND INVOLVES OR ALLOWS YOU TO BE IN THE ROOM DURING THE PROCEDURE. unless hospital day surgery

Answer 10

I'm 13 and i go to a pediatric dentist. I can go there until i'm 18. I actually went today for a cleaning but anyways, i think pediatric dentist are a little less scary for kids. Or at least to me they are, regular dentist scare me to death .