Dentistry is a broad field with various specialties. One such specialty – pediatric care – requires dentists who are specifically trained to cater to the oral health of children and adolescents. This article targets those eyeing dentist jobs in pediatric care and equips them with essential knowledge and useful insights about this specialty.
Pediatric dentistry, sometimes referred to as pedodontics, is a branch of dentistry that handles oral health of children from birth through adolescence. Pediatric dentists provide comprehensive oral health care including oral health exams, preventive dental care, and treatment for dental injuries.
To start with, qualifications are vital. One must first complete a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) dentist jobs or Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) degree. Upon completion of either degree, aspiring pediatric dentists should then pursue a two to three-year residency training for specialization in pediatric dentistry. This additional training is necessary for a dentist to understand a child's behavioral aspects, growth and development, and the specific treatment methods for children.
Pediatric dentists need to be equipped with distinctive capabilities. Children are not always cooperative or patient, and they may even fear dental procedures. Hence, pediatric dentists need to exhibit excellent communication skills to explain dental procedures to children in an understandable and friendly manner. They should also be good at easing children's fears and anxieties. Notably, pediatric dentists must have a love for children and extreme patience.
Moreover, the role also involves providing counsel and advice to parents about their child’s oral health. Teeth cleaning, filling cavities, repairing tooth defects, taking care of dental injuries like fractures, and diagnosing oral conditions associated with diseases such as diabetes, asthma, and congenital heart defect, are among the routine jobs of a pediatric dentist. They also assess the need for, and potentially plan and implement, orthodontic corrections as part of the patients' overarching oral health care plan.
In terms of job prospects, pediatric dentists can work in a wide range of settings which include private practice, dental schools, hospitals, and public health clinics. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for dentists, in general, is projected to have a growth rate of 7.6% from 2018 to 2028, which is faster than the average for all other occupations.
In terms of remuneration, pediatric dentistry is a highly lucrative career. As per the American Dental Association, the average pediatric dentist in private practice earned approximately $346,070 in 2019.
However, before embarking on a career in pediatric dentistry, one must remember that the job not only requires extensive training and specific professional skills but also compassionate and child-friendly personal qualities. You should enjoy working with children and get satisfaction from helping them maintain healthy smiles.
In conclusion, the key to success in pediatric dentistry lies in your interest in pediatric patients, developing a strong rapport with children, and gaining the right qualifications. Not just an opportunity to earn handsomely, this career path indeed provides a chance to make a difference in children's lives by promoting their lifelong oral health. If you're eyeing a dentist job in pediatric care, these are the things you need to know - it's a challenging, satisfying, and rewarding career choice!
Pediatric dentistry, sometimes referred to as pedodontics, is a branch of dentistry that handles oral health of children from birth through adolescence. Pediatric dentists provide comprehensive oral health care including oral health exams, preventive dental care, and treatment for dental injuries.
To start with, qualifications are vital. One must first complete a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) dentist jobs or Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) degree. Upon completion of either degree, aspiring pediatric dentists should then pursue a two to three-year residency training for specialization in pediatric dentistry. This additional training is necessary for a dentist to understand a child's behavioral aspects, growth and development, and the specific treatment methods for children.
Pediatric dentists need to be equipped with distinctive capabilities. Children are not always cooperative or patient, and they may even fear dental procedures. Hence, pediatric dentists need to exhibit excellent communication skills to explain dental procedures to children in an understandable and friendly manner. They should also be good at easing children's fears and anxieties. Notably, pediatric dentists must have a love for children and extreme patience.
Moreover, the role also involves providing counsel and advice to parents about their child’s oral health. Teeth cleaning, filling cavities, repairing tooth defects, taking care of dental injuries like fractures, and diagnosing oral conditions associated with diseases such as diabetes, asthma, and congenital heart defect, are among the routine jobs of a pediatric dentist. They also assess the need for, and potentially plan and implement, orthodontic corrections as part of the patients' overarching oral health care plan.
In terms of job prospects, pediatric dentists can work in a wide range of settings which include private practice, dental schools, hospitals, and public health clinics. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for dentists, in general, is projected to have a growth rate of 7.6% from 2018 to 2028, which is faster than the average for all other occupations.
In terms of remuneration, pediatric dentistry is a highly lucrative career. As per the American Dental Association, the average pediatric dentist in private practice earned approximately $346,070 in 2019.
However, before embarking on a career in pediatric dentistry, one must remember that the job not only requires extensive training and specific professional skills but also compassionate and child-friendly personal qualities. You should enjoy working with children and get satisfaction from helping them maintain healthy smiles.
In conclusion, the key to success in pediatric dentistry lies in your interest in pediatric patients, developing a strong rapport with children, and gaining the right qualifications. Not just an opportunity to earn handsomely, this career path indeed provides a chance to make a difference in children's lives by promoting their lifelong oral health. If you're eyeing a dentist job in pediatric care, these are the things you need to know - it's a challenging, satisfying, and rewarding career choice!