Sending your children to the dentist can be a challenging task, but choosing an appropriate oral care provider may prove even more difficult if you don’t know the facts. Pediatric dentists and family dentists may seem similar, but both have different qualities that can provide further benefits to their patients. Anchorage Dental Center is a family dentistry practice located in Anchorage, AK. Their friendly and well-trained staff is dedicated to helping their patients maintain optimal oral hygiene and bright, healthy smiles.

Here, they’ll explain the differences between pediatric and family dentists to help you choose the right one for you.

Pediatric Dentists

Just like physicians, dentists often specialize in specific fields of dentistry. For example, pediatric dentists focus their studies on the prevention and treatment of oral disease in infants, young children, and adolescents, as well as those with special needs. These dentists attend dental school, just as others in the field do, but concentrate on the particular oral health needs of children. While their specialty may provide great insight into the tooth and gum health of young ones, they typically do not treat patients over 18 years of age.

Family Dentists

Family dentists, on the other hand, work with patients of every age, from young children to elderly adults. They’ve studied oral health at each stage of life. Patients who have grown up with the practice arguably receive the best care, as family dentists will not only have cared for their oral health for years, but they also will have become accustomed to their patients’ dental habits and needs. Family dentists may also be on the lookout for potential genetic oral diseases that have afflicted patients’ family members if they too attended the practice. 

Choose a dentist that best fits your needs and those of your family. Anchorage Dental Center offers a wide variety of services, from teeth cleaning to dentures, for the whole family. For more information, call (907) 278-2521 or visit their website.