Pediatric Dentistry

What is a Pediatric Dentist?

 

Pediatric dentists are dedicated to the oral health of children from infancy through the teen years. They have the experience and qualifications to care for a child’s teeth, gums, and mouth throughout the various stages of childhood.

 

In some cases your pediatric dentist will recommend treatment that will require the need for sedation.  Children Are Special invites you to contact the following pediatric dentists for the highest level of care in children’s dentistry. They are the only pediatric dentists in North Texas that consult pediatric anesthesiologists from Anesthesia Partners of North Texas when intravenous “I.V.” sedation is required.  Pediatric anesthesiologists are physicians most skilled in providing sedation and perioperative care for children undergoing surgery, dental surgery, radiology and office-based procedures. Your pediatric anesthesiologist will determine if your child is candidate for office-based sedation.

See Sedation Dentistry for Children

 

Dr. Caleen Cantrell           Frisco and Prosper area

Dr. Julie Colwick                Cleburne area

Dr. Daniel Donohue          Keller, Bedford, and Southlake area

Dr. Yvette V. Dye                Denton, Highland Village and Corinth area

Dr. Erik Harrington           Highland Park, Dallas area

Dr. Jeffrey Holt                   Plano and Carrollton area

Dr. Drew Jamison              Fort Worth and Burleson area

Dr. Mark Lantzy                    Roanoke, Southlake and Decatur area

Dr. Sandy McDougal            Plano and Richardson area

Dr. Paul I. Rubin                    Frisco and  Plano area

Dr. Robert Casey Stroud    Willow ParK, Burleson and Fort Worth area

 

 

Articles in the Pediatric Dentistry Library

 

“Dental Home Sweet Home” by Dr. Paul I. Rubin and Dr. Paul Field

 

When should I take my child to the dentist for the first time? By Jeffrey D. Holt, DDS, MS

Why are dental sealants used in children? By Jeffrey D. Holt, DDS, MS

 

 

Children begin to get their baby teeth during the first 6 months of life. By age 6 or 7 years, they start to lose their first set of teeth, which eventually are replaced by secondary, permanent teeth. Without proper dental care, children face possible oral decay and disease that can cause a lifetime of pain and complications. Today, early childhood dental caries—an infectious disease—is 5 times more common in children than asthma and 7 times more common than hay fever.

 

When should I take my child to the dentist for the first time?

 

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, your child should see a pediatric dentist when the first tooth appears, or no later than his/her first birthday.  Dental decay is the most prevalent childhood disease in the United States and the single largest contributing factor for school nurse visits each year.  Pediatric Dentist are trained to provide parents with anticipatory guidance in matters of infant oral health which in turn has proven to dramatically reduce the incidence of early childhood dental disease.

 

What Kind of Training Do Pediatric Dentists Have?

 

Pediatric dentists have completed at least:

*Four years of dental school
*Two additional years of residency training in dentistry for infants, children, teens, and children with special needs

 

What Types of Treatments Do Pediatric Dentists Provide?

 

Pediatric dentists provide comprehensive oral health care that includes the following:

 

*Infant oral health exams, which include risk assessment for caries in mother and child
*Preventive dental care including cleaning and fluoride treatments, as well as nutrition and diet recommendations
*Habit counseling (for example, pacifier use and thumb sucking
*Early assessment and treatment for straightening teeth and correcting an improper bite (orthodontics)   *Repair of tooth cavities or defectsArial
*Diagnosis of oral conditions associated with diseases such as diabetes, congenital heart defect, asthma, hay fever, and attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder
*Management of gum diseases and conditions including ulcers, short frenulae, mucoceles, and pediatric periodontal disease
*Care for dental injuries (for example, fractured, displaced, or knocked-out teeth)

 

Where Can I Find A Pediatric Dentist?

 

Pediatric dentists practice in a variety of locations including private practices, dental schools, and medical centers. ChildrenAreSpecial.com can help you find a pediatric dentist near your home.

 

Pediatric Dentists — The Best Care For Children

 

Children are not just small adults. They are not always able to be patient and cooperative during a dental exam. Pediatric dentists know how to examine and treat children in ways that make them comfortable. In addition, pediatric dentists use specially designed equipment in offices that are arranged and decorated with children in mind.

 

A pediatric dentist offers a wide range of treatment options, as well as expertise and training to care for your child’s teeth, gums, and mouth. When your pediatrician suggests that your child receive a dental exam, you can be assured that a pediatric dentist will provide the best possible care.

 

What is the difference between a Pediatric Dentist and a General or Family Dentist?

 

Pediatric dentists are the pediatricians of dentistry. A pediatric dentist has two to three years of specialty training following dental school and limits his/her practice to treating children and teens. Pediatric dentists are primary and specialty oral healthcare providers for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special needs.