If you’re choosing a dentist for your child, you may wonder whether you should look for a pediatric dentist or whether your family dentist can care for your child.

It’s a good question — and there isn’t one answer that is right for every child.

Many children can receive excellent dental care from an experienced family dentist. Other children may have dental, behavioral, developmental or medical needs that make the additional specialized training of a pediatric dentist particularly helpful.

What Is a Family Dentist?

A family dentist is generally a general dentist who provides dental care for patients at different stages of life, including children, teenagers, parents and older adults.

Depending on the practice and the individual patient, that may include dental exams, cleanings, X-rays when appropriate, fluoride treatment, sealants, fillings and other preventive or restorative care.

One of the biggest advantages for families is continuity. Parents and children may be able to receive care at the same practice, and a child may be able to continue with that dental office as they grow into adulthood.

What Is a Pediatric Dentist?

A pediatric dentist is a dentist who completes additional specialty education and training after dental school focused on the oral health care of infants, children and adolescents, including children with special health care needs.

That additional training can be particularly valuable for children whose dental, developmental, behavioral or medical circumstances require specialized pediatric management.

Does My Child Have to See a Pediatric Dentist?

No. A child does not automatically need a pediatric dentist simply because they are a child.

Many general and family dentists provide routine dental care for children. What matters is whether the dentist is comfortable and experienced caring for children and whether the practice can appropriately meet your child’s individual needs.

When a child needs care beyond the scope of a family dental practice, the dentist can recommend or coordinate care with the appropriate specialist.

When Might a Pediatric Dentist Be a Better Choice?

Some children may benefit from the additional training and child-focused environment of a pediatric dental specialist.

A referral or pediatric dental practice may be appropriate when a child has:

• Complex dental treatment needs

• Significant difficulty cooperating with routine dental treatment

• Certain developmental, behavioral or medical considerations

• A need for treatment or behavior-management techniques outside the family dentist’s scope

• Other circumstances where specialized pediatric expertise would benefit the child

Choosing specialty care when it is appropriate is not a failure of your family dentist. Knowing when to involve another dental professional is part of providing responsible care.

Why Might Parents Choose a Family Dentist for Their Child?

For many families, having one dental practice for children and adults can make dental care simpler.

Parents may appreciate:

• Having the family cared for in one familiar office

• Building a long-term relationship with the dentist and dental team

• A dentist becoming familiar with the family’s dental history

• Continuity as a child becomes a teenager and then an adult

• Children seeing their parents comfortably receive dental care in the same practice

Convenience is helpful, but it should not be the only consideration. The experience of the dentist and how your child is treated should come first.

How Do I Know If a Family Dentist Is Good With Children?

Don’t stop at asking whether the office accepts children.

Ask more specific questions:

• Does the dentist regularly care for children?

• How many years has the dentist been practicing?

• How does the office approach children who are nervous?

• Will the dentist explain findings and treatment recommendations to me?

• What happens if my child needs care the practice does not provide?

Those answers can tell you much more than the words “family dentistry” on a website.

What If My Child Is Afraid of the Dentist?

Being nervous does not automatically mean your child needs a pediatric dentist.

Many experienced family dentists regularly care for patients who are anxious about dental visits. The important question is how the dentist and team respond to your child’s fear.

If your child is especially nervous, tell the office before the appointment. If their anxiety or ability to tolerate treatment requires more specialized management, your dentist can discuss whether referral to a pediatric dentist or another appropriate provider would be beneficial.

Can My Child Stay With a Family Dentist Into Adulthood?

Yes — and this is one of the differences parents may find appealing about family dentistry.

When the relationship is a good fit and the practice can continue meeting the patient’s needs, a child may be able to remain with the same dental practice through the teenage years and into adulthood rather than changing dentists solely because of age.

Family Dental Care for Children Near Beaverton

Cedar Hills Dental Care provides family dental care for children and adults near Beaverton and the surrounding Portland area.

Christine Chin, DMD earned her D.M.D. from Oregon Health & Science University in 1989 and has more than 35 years of dental experience.

Cedar Hills Dental Care has cared for more than 10,000 smiles since 1986.

Our approach emphasizes comfortable, compassionate, non-judgmental and patient-centered care. When a patient needs care outside our scope, helping the family find the appropriate specialist is part of taking good care of them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a family dentist qualified to treat children?

General and family dentists can provide dental care for children within the scope of their training and practice. Parents should consider the individual dentist’s experience with children and whether the office can appropriately meet their child’s needs.

What is the main difference between a family dentist and a pediatric dentist?

A pediatric dentist completes additional specialty training focused specifically on infants, children and adolescents. A family dentist generally cares for patients across a broader age range, including children and adults.

Should I choose a pediatric dentist just because my child is young?

Not necessarily. Many children can receive appropriate care from an experienced family dentist. The best choice depends on your child’s individual dental, behavioral and health needs and the experience and scope of the dentist you are considering.

Recommended Reading for Parents

How Do I Find an Experienced Dentist for My Child Near Beaverton? →

Learn what parents should look for when experience is a priority.

How Do I Find a Dentist I Can Trust With My Child? →

Questions parents can ask when trust, communication and comfort matter.

Family Dentist Near Beaverton: Dental Care for Kids, Parents & Adults →

Learn about family dental care for children, parents and adults at Cedar Hills Dental Care.

Children’s Dentistry at Cedar Hills Dental Care →

Learn more about dental care for children at Cedar Hills Dental Care.