A general approach to any dentist's studies includes biology, physiology, chemistry, physics, and human anatomy. For those who know that they want to work as pediatric dentists, classes in child development, psychology and business studies are great. The most common degree for pediatric dentists is a bachelor's degree, with 30% of pediatric dentists earning that degree. This is closely followed by the doctorate with 27%, and the master's degree with 13%.
The path to becoming a pediatric dentist is no easy task. First, one must graduate from undergraduate school, then complete an accredited 4-year dental education, passing boards and certifications along the way. Afterwards, they must complete a 2- to 3-year graduate residency program to be considered pediatric dentists. Fortunately, there are pediatric dentists who are highly trained and exceptional at what they do: treating children's dental needs. A pediatric dentist is a licensed dental provider who has completed specialized training at a children's hospital or university program.
Pediatric dentists also receive medical training in advanced topics such as anesthesiology, bacterial growth, oral surgery, and advanced lifesaving techniques. Many prospective pediatric dentists also choose to work as volunteers (or interns) in dental offices to gain first-hand experience. A pediatric dentist is specially trained to understand children's development from birth to puberty. The most common universities for students to pursue their goal of becoming pediatric dentists are Howard University and Virginia Commonwealth University. If you haven't taken your child to the pediatric dentist yet or want to schedule an appointment, Dr.
Graduating with good grades isn't enough. Most dental schools will also require pediatric dentists to gain additional experience through volunteering, working with children, or clinical research on child-related illnesses. The AAPD (American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry) is the official governing body for more than 70 official residency programs in pediatric dentistry. If you're looking for an affordable university for pediatric dentists, the University of Florida is a great option. To put that into perspective, most dental schools require a 2- to 3-week rotation at a pediatric clinic to become dentists.
In addition to graduating from an accredited dental school and passing their dental certification and licensing exams, a pediatric dentist completes a two- to three-year residency program and becomes a board-certified specialist.
