Should I Take My Child to a Pediatric Dentist or Kid Friendly Dentist?

A kid-friendly dentist often gets confused for a pediatric dentist; however, they are very different. This often gets confusing for parents, especially when it comes time to face a dental problem. Thankfully, having a thorough understanding can be helpful when trying to determine who to visit. Continue reading to learn more. 

How to know where to take a child for dental care

Below is an overview detailing pediatric and kid-friendly dentists, including what they do and when it is best to visit each. This information may be especially helpful to parents who are not sure where to take their children.

Pediatric dentist

A pediatric dentist is one that specializes in the oral care of infants all the way up to their teenage years. They undergo training to learn how to care for the teeth and gums as they develop throughout childhood. Their services are specifically suited for those who are six months to 18 years old. 

Certain services may include baby dental crowns or orthodontic treatment, like braces. Additionally, it is highly recommended to take an infant to a pediatric dentist when their teeth first erupt. This will allow the pediatric dentist to determine if the teeth are growing in properly. 

Kid-friendly dentist

Kid-friendly dentists, on the other hand, are completely different. While they do see and treat children, they do not necessarily specialize in pediatric care. This means that their services are not geared specifically towards children, instead, they usually offer care to adults, as well. Specific services, such as baby dental crowns may not be able to be placed at a kid-friendly dentist. Instead, a pediatric dentist may be more suitable. 

However, kid-friendly dentists do welcome children into their practices and often make an extra effort to ensure a welcoming environment. For example, there may be a television showing cartoons and the decorations may be geared more towards children.

Deciding where to go

Some parents are inclined to take their children to a kid-friendly dentist, especially if their services work for the entire family. This allows for a convenient location for both parents and the children to visit. Kid-friendly dentists are great resources to utilize when needing general, routine care, such as check-ups or cleanings. 

On the other hand, a pediatric dentist may be worth visiting if there are specific needs such as restorative or developmental work. As stated earlier, it is also recommended to take infants to a pediatric dentist as soon as the teeth erupt. The training that pediatric dentists have allows them to closely monitor the development of the teeth as they come in, which is crucial for the future of the oral cavity. 

Find out more

Want to know more about what a pediatric dentist can do for your child? The best place to start is by undergoing a consultation. The pediatric dentist can evaluate the child's oral cavity to determine if and what attention it needs. From there, a treatment plan can be set in place, whether that includes restorative work or simpler things, like routine cleanings. To get scheduled for an appointment or to ask additional questions, reach out today.  

Request an appointment here: https://www.hvkidsmiles.com or call Hudson Valley Pediatric Dentistry at (845) 363-4177 for an appointment in our Middletown office. 

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Pediatric Dentist in Middletown, NY.