Pediatric dentistry

School dentist examining children's teeth. Netherlands, 1935.
A child getting a filling at the dentist. Malmö National Dental Service 1989.

Pediatric dentistry (formerly pedodontics in American English or paedodontics in Commonwealth English) is the branch of dentistry dealing with children from birth through adolescence.[1] The specialty of pediatric dentistry is recognized by the American Dental Association,[2] Royal College of Dentists of Canada,[3] and Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons.[4]

A little girl's trip to the pediatric dentist examining children's teeth.

Pediatric dentists[5] promote the dental health of children as well as serve as educational resources for parents. It is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) that a dental visit should occur within six months after the presence of the first tooth or by a child's first birthday. The AAPD has said that it is important to establish a comprehensive and accessible ongoing relationship between the dentist and patient – referring to this as the patient's "dental home".[6] This is because early oral examination aids in the detection of the early stages of tooth decay. Early detection is essential to maintain oral health, modify aberrant habits, and treat as needed and as simply as possible. Additionally, parents are given a program of preventative home care (brushing/flossing/fluorides), a caries risk assessment, information on finger, thumb, and pacifier habits, advice on preventing injuries to the mouth and teeth of children, diet counseling, and information on growth and development.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "What is a Pediatric Dentist?". HealthyChildren.org. 2013-11-05. Retrieved 2014-08-01.
  2. ↑ "Specialty Definitions". Ada.org. Retrieved 2014-08-01.
  3. ↑ "RCDC – Specialties". Rcdc.ca. Retrieved 2014-08-01.
  4. ↑ Paediatric dentistry (requires log-in)
  5. ↑ "Common Pediatric dentistry treatments".
  6. ↑ "Definition Of A Dental Home" (PDF). AAPD. June 3, 2013. Retrieved 2013-06-03.

External links

Organizations

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