Pediatric dentistry (also known as pedodontics) is two extra years of training that prepares dentists to treat children from birth through adolescence.
Our Team
Our highly-trained clinical team includes dental assistants and hygienists who accompany your child on their dental journey. They are a vital part of our office because they provide direct care to children and help them feel at ease. They also work to ensure that your child understands the process and what to expect during future visits.
Our Office
Unlike general dentists, pediatric dentists have two or more years of additional training focused on the unique needs of children from infancy through adolescence. This extra education, combined with their experience and knowledge of child psychology, helps them create a fun, social environment for children and help them find a “dental home” early in life.
Pediatric dentists are also trained to educate children and advise parents on oral hygiene routines and nutrition. They can offer advice on thumb sucking, pacifier use, and smoking cessation, as well as administer dental sealants and fluoride treatments to protect young teeth. They can also monitor growth and development to anticipate problems such as malocclusions, early tooth decay, or bruxism, and provide corrective treatment before it becomes more serious.
Courtney is a native to North Carolina and graduated from Wake Technical in the Dental Assisting program as a Certified Dental Assistant. She enjoys her two boys and their sports events, traveling, eating at new restaurants and attending concerts.
Your Child’s First Visit
Pediatric dentists are specially trained to care for children of all ages, from infants to adolescents and those with special health needs. They have two or three additional years of specialized training after four years of dental school and are certified to treat a variety of issues, including tooth decay and cavities, crooked teeth, and growth and development problems.
The first visit is generally short and designed to get the child and dentist familiar with one another. The dentist will examine the child’s mouth, monitor growth and development, review the family health history, and answer questions.
Minimal discussion about the appointment is often helpful, letting the child know that it will be fun and rewarding. Bringing the child’s favorite book or toy to the appointment can also help. It is recommended that the first visit be scheduled within six months of the emergence of the first tooth, or by their first birthday. This allows the dentist to identify any potential concerns, such as excessive thumb or pacifier sucking that could affect tooth alignment.
Your Teen’s Visit
Our dentists specialize in the oral care of infants, children, adolescents, and patients with special needs. They completed four years of dental school and an additional two or three years of intensive training in a pediatric dentistry Raleigh NC residency program. This training focuses on the unique growth and development of these patient groups, management of dental emergencies, and hospital treatment under general anesthesia.
They also have advanced knowledge of child psychology, allowing them to create a friendly and stimulating office environment. They use simple terminology and models to educate the child, and they emphasize the importance of good home care and regular professional cleanings.
In some cases, a child’s teeth may be undergoing significant damage due to a habit known as bruxism (grinding of the teeth). Our dentists can offer a nighttime mouth guard or bite splint to prevent this grinding. They can also recommend stress reduction or a change in medication to help reduce the severity of the grinding.
