Question:
Being a potential dental student, I have done a little
research on the subject of Pediatric Dentistry, which is the
path I want to pursue. I am currently involved in a
research project concerning the major problems of
medical/scientific fields. Pediatric Dentistry is not heard of
often, but if there are any prevelant problems out there,
can you please reply to this message. For example: Will
flouride treatments shortly take over this field? Have there
been any tragic occurences in Pediatric Denistries? Is this
the business one should pursue, since there aren't many
around, at least not in my hometown or neighboring
hometown?
Answer:
The most serious problem facing pediatric dentistry is the lack of parental
responsibility regarding adequate maintainence, prevention and finances.
There is tremendous need. There is as much need in pedodontics as there
might possibly be in gerodontics. Unfortunately, no 3rd party payment
mechanism exists and that is why there is no system for treatment provision
of either of these patient groups................... kw
I am pleased to see that you are thinking about your choice of future
specialty. Pediatric Dentistry is a unique specialty in that it is based on
patient age rather than orientated to certain procedures (eg. endodontic
specialists do endodontics, oral surgeons do surgery etc.). For this
fundamental reason it sometimes has an uncomfortable "fit" with other
specialties since pediatric dentists sometimes do procedures that other
specialists feel are their turf. Additionally Pediatric Dentistry has a
little trouble deciding whether it is into primary care (ie. general
dentistry for kids) or a true tertiary care specialty. To a degree it
allows the practitioner to choose his or her preference.
This background is important. Pediatric dentistry can really be a lot of
fun. As a specialty it can allow you to do a lot of different procedures
and practice in a lot of different environments. In addition to the usual
private practice environment pediatric dentists work in children's
hospitals, public health departments, government, and universities. You
can also have the possibility of focusing on types of patients which
interest and challenge you. I am a dually trained Pediatric Dentist and
Orthodontist and I work in a large Children's Hospital. My pediatric dental
life is totally directed towards the treatment of children with severe
medical and developmental problems. I love the challenge and it suits my
nature (my orthodontic life is focused on kids with cleft palates and
craniofacial anomalies). I was in private practice and although I was
successful it just wasn't suited to my interests and character.
Private practice pediatric dentistry can be a lot of fun for practitioners
as well- it's just an issue of what you would enjoy. I can assure you that
dental caries still exists- big time. It will be a long time before it is
wiped out. There are also great personal rewards in running the preventive
side of practice.
I went through a lot of the same thougts you are going through. I can only
say that given the choice again I wouldn't do anything differently about my
career choice. you can probably get some solid inforamtion from the web
site of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry http://www.aapd.org
