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| Pedodontics (Pediatric Dentistry) |
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Pedodontics is the branch of dentistry dealing with children from birth through adolescence. It is also known as pediatric dentistry. It is one of the specialties recognized by the American Dental Association, the Royal College of Dentists of Canada, and the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons. A pedodontics program focuses intimately on pediatric/adolescent growth and development, disease causality and prevention, child psychology and management, and all aspects of the highly-specialized pediatric restorative techniques and modalities. Some pediatric dentists also super-specialize in the care of "special needs" patients, such as people with cerebral palsy, mental retardation and autism.
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Pediatric dentists require an extra two to three years of post-doctoral dental training after attaining their dental degree. They are then eligible for board certification by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. After receiving a Specialty Permit or License from the Academy pediatric dentistry practitioners may represent themselves as such in most states and provinces and limit their professional practice to pedodontics. Pediatric dentistry emphasizes the establishment of trust between children and their pedodontist. One of the main components of pediatric dentistry is child psychology. Special pedodontic office designs and different communication styles are used in an effort to make dental visits enjoyable.
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| A pedodontic practice will teach tooth decay prevention. Poor oral health care in children can lead to impaired school performance and poor social relationships. Therefore, a pedodontist gives advice on how to make teeth strong, the importance of developing healthy eating habits, and other ways to prevent disease from occurring. Pediatrics dentistry also focuses on the maintenance of baby teeth until natural loss. A pedodontics practitioner will emphasize care of these because they permit children to chew properly and therefore maintain good nutrition, they are critical in speech development, and they maintain space for the eventual eruption of the permanent teeth. |
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Recognizing the growing importance of appearance and self-image in their patients, a pedodontic practitioner also works 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 resource for parents. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that a pedodontic visit should occur shortly after the presence of the first tooth in a child or that child’s first birthday. |
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As a key component of the field of pediatrics dentistry helps maintain the overall health of the child. Early oral health habits and proper care of the teeth will assist in maintaining the well-being of the patient. Pediatric dentistry orthodontics is a sub-specialty field of pedodontic in which the practitioners have further training in the techniques involved in correcting tooth placement and bite issues. Pediatric cosmetic dentistry is another related sub-specialty. Those trained in pediatric cosmetic dentistry and pediatric dentistry orthodontics have training in oral surgery and equipment used for restorative techniques that may be needed after damage to teeth from injury |
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