First, let's cover the training a general dentist completes
Before I explain how someone becomes a pediatric dentist, I should first describe what a general dentist’s training entails. In the United States, the typical track toward a dental degree involves completing four years of undergraduate training followed by four years of dental school. Unlike medical doctoral training, a general dentistry degree does not require a subsequent residency. Many general dentists go directly into practice after completing their dental school training. A general dentist carries either a doctorate of dental surgery (DDS) degree or a doctorate of dental medicine (DMD – wait, shouldn’t it be DDM? – I digress. . .) degree. The two degrees are equivalent, only varying based on the institution from which the person graduated.
What additional training does a pediatric dentist complete?
Dental specialists, such as pediatric dentists, complete additional years of training through a residency program beyond the four years of dental school. These programs can be associated with a dental school, hospital, or a blend of the two. There are also general practice residencies in which a general dentist gains additional time and skills related to general dentistry before moving into private practice. Pediatric dentistry residency programs range from two to three years in length. After completing a pediatric dentistry residency program, the dentist receives a pediatric dentistry certificate. Some residency programs also allow the resident to complete a master’s degree alongside their certificate if they choose.
What topics does pediatric dentistry residency cover?
In pediatric dentistry residency, dentists complete additional training beyond dental school that’s specific to the management of child patients. That training typically focuses on areas such as:
- diagnosis and treatment planning in pediatric patients
- hospital-based dentistry (case selection and treatment of dental disease utilizing general anesthesia)
- behavior management (including the use of pharmaceutical agents, i.e., conscious sedation)
- management of dental trauma in the developing dentition
- treatment of children and adults with special healthcare needs
- infant and toddler oral healthcare
- growth and development
Many dentists receive little if any in-depth training in these areas in dental school, and for that reason, general dentists often choose to limit their practices to adults and older children.
What is a “board certified” pediatric dentist?
You have probably noticed some common qualifiers listed in the website bios of pediatric dentists. One is membership in associations, the most popular one being The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). The other is diplomate status through board certification via The American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD). It is important to note that a dentist can be a pediatric dentist and be neither board certified nor a member of the AAPD.
The AAPD is a group of pediatric dentists that serves as a resource for pediatric dentists across the country. The organization issues pediatric dentistry practice guidelines, provides continuing education opportunities, and offers networking resources and support between pediatric dental colleagues. The AAPD also advocates for pediatric oral health on the national level.
The AAPD is not a licensing body (states issue dental licenses through state dental boards) or a regulatory board (each state has a dental board). There are numerous associations available to dentists for membership based on their area of specialization or interests, all of which come with a price tag that may or may not appeal to a dentist given his or her budget and desired degree of participation in organized dentistry.
The ABPD is the organization behind the board certification process for pediatric dentists in the USA. The pediatric dentistry board certification process involves completing a rigorous written and oral examination. If the pediatric dentist passes both examinations, the board awards him or her diplomate status, which means he or she is board certified in pediatric dentistry. This certification renews yearly and requires the dentist to complete a certain number of continuing education hours specific to pediatric dentistry, so board certification reflects a dentist's committment to lifelong learning. Every ten years, a board certified pediatric dentist completes a written renewal examination, which ensures that that dentist is maintaining the standards of excellence upheld by the ABPD.
Should my child see a pediatric dentist? What about board certification status?
If you live in an area where a pediatric dentist is available, a pediatric dentist may be best suited to manage and treat your child’s oral healthcare needs compared to a generalist. This is especially true if your child is under age three, has any behavioral factors that might impact his ability to cooperate at the dentist, or has special healthcare needs. General dentists can treat both adults and children, but many limit their practice to older children whose needs and temperaments most closely match those of adults.
As for board certification, such a designation is an achievement to be proud of for that dentist but does not necessarily indicate that he or she is more qualified to treat your child than another pediatric dentist. A board certified pediatric dentist upholds the practice standards of the ABPD, assuring you that the dentist is practicing evidence-based and up-to-date pediatric dentistry, but that could also be true of someone who does not hold diplomate status. My advice is to focus on finding a pediatric dentist in your community, and if he or she happens to be board certified, all the better.
How do I find a pediatric dentist?
Both the ABPD and the AAPD offer search tools to help you locate either ABPD diplomates or AAPD members in your area. Remember that some pediatric dentists hold neither of those designations, so completing a google search and a quick Facebook poll of your friends may provide additional names as well.
Once you’ve created a list of options, verify the dentist’s specialty training, particularly if that dentist is part of a pediatric dentistry group practice. Sometimes a pediatric dentist owns an office but employs general dentists as associates (an associate dentist is a dentist who works for the practice owner). A general dentist who works for a pediatric dentist may be interested in treating children, but he or she has not completed formal pediatric dentistry training beyond dental school. If you’re specifically seeking out care from a pediatric dentist, then you may wish to specify the doctors in the group you prefer your child to see.
I recommend viewing the practice websites to determine what office best aligns with your vision and desires regarding your child’s oral healthcare. Don’t hesitate to call the offices and ask questions. Then check it out in person for a new patient exam. One of the keys to identifying a dental home that fits your family is to seek a personality match between yourself and the providers. Take your child for his first appointment and see how you like the office atmosphere, the staff, and the dentist. Everyone’s preferences vary wildly, so find a dentist who “gets you” and who both you and your child look forward to seeing at each visit!
