The specialty of Pediatric Dentistry is the field of Dentistry dedicated exclusively to the dental care of children of all ages from infancy through adolescence.

Pediatric Dentists attend a special postdoctoral training program after they finish dental school for two or three years.

They become proficient in the use of pharmacological and non-pharmacological behavior management techniques to make anxious children feel comfortable and safe during dental treatment. They become the pediatricians of children’s mouths.

Non–pharmacological behavior management techniques include explaining all procedures in terms that are child friendly and easy to understand, distracting them with toys or playing their favorite movie during treatment, and/or rewarding them with a special toy or sticker once treatment has been completed.

Pharmacological behavior management techniques include the use of nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, conscious sedation and even completing all dental treatment while safely asleep under general anesthesia in a hospital.