Pediatric+Dentist


 * __ Specialty Summary: __**

Pediatric Dentists are dedicated to the oral health of children and adolescents from infancy. They examine, diagnose, and treat diseases of the oral cavity and its associated structures in children, as well as adolescents. They implement preventive dental health habits that keep a child free from dental/oral disease, focus on prevention, early diagnoses and treatment of dental diseases, and keep things current on the latest advances in dentistry for children.


 * __ Duties and Responsibilities: __**

They examine, diagnose and will then treat diseases, abnormalities, any type of injuries, and even dysfunctional disorders of the oral cavity and its associated structures in children and adolescents. Child patients will be examined and also interpreted radiographs and diagnostic tests to come to conclusion on type and extent of dental diseases and disabilities or dysfunctions. They evaluate findings and prescribe type, extent, or otherwise defective teeth. Pediatric Dentists provide behavior management techniques, perform oral surgery, endodontic, prosthodontics, and interceptive orthodontic treatment on children, and provide consultation services.

A pediatric dentist’s job includes tasks such as:


 * Oral examinations
 * Examining x-rays
 * Placing sealants
 * Filling cavities
 * Extracting teeth
 * Educating patients on how to care for their teeth and gums.
 * Manage patients with problems behaving or handicap conditions
 * Advice patients and family on growth and developmental dental problems that the patient may have
 * Provide preventive services through the use of fluorides and sealants and will instruct the patient and family members on dental care


 * __ Education Requirements: __**

Pediatric dentists must complete and receive a bachelor’s degree, with some pre-dental study in a general dentistry program at an accredited college, or university successfully. Before they can enroll in an additional two to three-year pediatric dentistry program. The additional program is required for pediatric dentists to take, it is so that they have the ability to practice pediatric dentistry.

Dentistry programs are typically a length of four years and include classroom training and clinical training both. The student must pass the Dental Admissions Test (DAT) and maintain an above-average record academically in order to be admitted into dental school. The student can only move forward to fulfill the education requirements to become a pediatric dentist after they have been rewarded a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) degree.

Pediatric Dentists must also complete and continue their education requirements through the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry in order to keep licensure and prove that they are skilled and well knowledgeable in the latest techniques, protocols, and procedures.


 * __ Schools: __**

Some of the schools that offer pediatric dentistry residency programs include the: Albert Einstein/Montefiore Medical Center in New York, the university of California at San Francisco, The Children’s hospital in Colorado, the Medical College of Georgia, The University of Louisville School of Dentistry in Kentucky, and the Medical University of South Carolina.

Some of many schools offer fellowship or internship opportunities for students as part of their residency program.


 * __ Programs of Training __**:

Pediatric dentistry programs are residency programs that allow the students and give them the opportunity to learn advanced skills and techniques in the fields of:


 * Child psychology
 * Child related pharmacology
 * Craniofacial anomalies in children
 * Pediatric orthodontics
 * Child development
 * Care for children with special needs
 * Anesthesia protocol for children
 * Oral pathology
 * Oral disease prevention plans for children
 * Clinical management
 * Surgical procedures


 * __ Outlook of the Career: __**

If the student completes an accredited pediatric dentistry program they can pursue a career as a pediatric dentist at any health care facility or dental office, or even open up their own clinics where they offer pediatric dental services. Pediatric dentists have the advantage of being licensed to perform both general and advanced dentistry procedures, depending on the state they are practicing in.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not provide separate career information for dentists and pediatric dentists, but it lists the average median salary of dentists as $160,000, as of 2009 annually. A Pediatric dentist may make more or less depending on the marker that they provide service in, years in experience, and any advanced training that they received.