Family Dentist vs Pediatric Dentist ?

Our whole family, myself, husband %26amp; 4 kids see a "family" dentist. My 3 yr old twins went yesterday for their first full exam. On one son he found 1 cavity and 3 needing to be watched. He feels the 1 tooth with the worst cavity at least needs some work as the tooth it involves will be one of the last baby teeth he will loose and the tooth won't wait that long, it will develop a spot or hole on it %26amp; maybe become painfull. Then we learned he can't actually do the work but referred us to a pediatric dentist two hours away. I was very disappointed %26amp; since yesterday %26amp; hours trying to find or even get into a "pediatric" dentist, I'm now almost mad. I don't understand why my dentist considers himself a family dentist then if he won't actually do work on small children. I do understand why you wouldn't want to, but that's what a family practice to me should do. I finally found a family practice dentist that will do it, no prob. If this guy is good, should we consider switching?

Family Dentist vs Pediatric Dentist ?
The decision to not treat your youngster is probably based on how the dentist thinks the child will react to being frozen, how well he will sit in the chair etc. what is termed "patient management". If he thinks there will be a management problem then he will refer the patient to a Paedodontist for the restorative work. This way the family dentist remains a nice comfortable place for the child to attend regularly and the scary "mean" place is one that hopefully he will never have to visit again! Once the child is a bit older and more open to "reason" then it is a simple matter to have all the work done at the one office and if you are comfortable with your current dentist and his staff and the location is convenient (with 4 children convenience matters!) then stick with your current dentist and just see someone else to have this problem dealt with.





Even 3 year olds develop cavities that need to be fixed - if not pain can result and in severe cases the adult tooth developing under the baby tooth can be affected. There are some instances where a tooth is just about ready to be exfoliated (fall out) that a cavity will not be filled but generally speaking if a tooth is to remain in the mouth for a couple of years or more then it should be filled.





An adult should be helping to brush a child's teeth generally until the child can do cursive handwriting - by which time they will have developed enough dexterity to do a good job.
Reply:There is no reason for him to be traumatizing and abusing him with alleged "cavities", in my opinion!





If there are "cavities" at 3 years old, something is screwy somewhere. Maybe the baby food manufacturers should be sued.





A knowledgable friend of mine once related that many dentists are brutal and they're into it for the money. A lot of doctors like to "pick and choose" the easy stuff, also.
Reply:If a 3 yr old needed fillings I would prefer that a pedodontist do it cause he has more training, than a GP %26amp; i practiced 32 yrs.Might make an excepion if it were my own, since he would know %26amp; trust me. Your Dr is just doing what is best for your baby!! Thank him!! Remember he is not paid when someone else does it. DR Walker
Reply:usually 3 year olds need to be sedated because they are positively a nightmare to work on. you can't reason with them and they rarely sit still for more than 5 seconds. if a sedation becomes necessary then the pediatric dentist just goes ahead with it. i'm a family dentist but i don't work on kids 5 and under because it traumatizes everyone.





also, you need to exam your child's diet and hygiene practices because there really is no excuse for a 3 year old to need dental work. your dentist would never tell you this because he doesn't want to be rude and lose you as a patient. i on the other hand will give you the straight talk that you need. there is a very good chance that your kid has only had that tooth for a year or 2 and it's already decayed...are you kidding me???? if you EVER give you child soda then you are a bad parent...period. it's poison. children should never have sugary drinks other than 100% juice, and otherwise only milk or water.





sorry to be harsh but your child's teeth are your responsibility.