Pedodontics
or Pediatric Dentistry refers to a branch of dentistry that
specializes in dental care for children under the age of 16.
Pediatric dentists require an extra two to three years of dental
training that prepare them in meeting the unique dental needs
of infant, children, and adolescent dental care. This also includes
those with special health care needs.
Differentiating
itself from regular dentistry, pediatric dentistry emphasizes
the establishment of trust and confidence in children with their
dentists. Consequently, one of the main components of pediatric
training is child psychology. This manifests itself in special
office designs, different communication style, and an emphasis
on teaching preventative dental habits to children in an effort
to make dental visits enjoyable.
For
children, pedodontics place special importance in preventing
tooth decay. Studies show that poor oral health care in children
lead to decrease school performance and poor social relationships.
Therefore, pediatric dentists give advice on how to make teeth
strong, the importance of developing healthy eating habits,
and other ways to prevent cavities from occurring.
Additionally,
pediatric dentists work towards the maintenance of primary teeth
(baby teeth) until they are naturally lost. This is due to the
importance they serve in permitting children to chew properly
and therefore maintain good nutrition, its role in speech development,
and the way it aids permanent teeth by saving space for them.
The
role of the pediatric dentists changes as children enter adolescence.
Recognizing the growing importance of appearance and self-image
in their clients, pediatric dentists work to ensure that adolescents'
dental needs are met. Preventative dental health care is emphasized
and when necessary, information is provided to adolescents about
subjects such as wisdom teeth, tobacco use, sealants, and oral
piercing.
Pedodontics
not only aids in the dental health of children but serves as
an educational tool for parents. It is recommended by the American
Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) that a dental visit should
occur between shortly after the presence of the first tooth
in a child to that child's first birthday. This is because early
mouth examinations aids in the detection of the early stages
of tooth decay and can therefore be immediately treated. Additionally,
parents are given a program of preventative home care (brushing,
flossing, fluorides), a caries risk assessment, the latest facts
on finger, thumb and pacifier habits, advice on preventing injuries
to the mouth and teeth of their children, and information on
growth and development.
Pedodontics
