Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric Dentistry is a branch of dentistry deals with the oral care and health of children from infancy through adolescence. This sub-specialty was brought into public by the American Dental Association, Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons and Royal College of Dentists of Canada. Pediatric dentists must complete 4 years of dental school and 2 additional years of training in dentistry for infants, children, and teens.

Responsibilities of a pediatric dentist include:

• To ensure safe and effective oral care is provided
• Promoting dental health for children and educating parents
• Diagnosing oral diseases
• Offering preventive dental care
• Interpreting diagnostic tests and x-rays
• To ensure the safe administration of anesthetics
• Monitoring teeth and jaws; growth and development
• Performing surgical procedures on the teeth
• Filing or repairing of decaying teeth
• Fixing dental injuries
• Repair fractured or displaced teeth
• Management of gum diseases and potential risk conditions including ulcers, mucoceles, short frenulum, and pediatric periodontal disease

As per the reports of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, due to an increase in the baby population by 2024, job growth for pediatrics dentists will increase by approximately 20%. The mean salary for an individual pediatric dentist is about $175,000 per year in the US.