When it comes to dentistry, you may have a universal thought or example that jumps to mind, but dental practice isn’t a one-size-fits-all field. Two of the most prevalent specialties are general and pediatric dentistry. While both types of dental practices utilize many of the same skills, business models, and patterns, several distinguishing factors separate the two:
- Population Served
- Dental Training Requirements
- Differing Practices and Environments
- Marketing Targets
Patient Populations
As you may have already assumed, the most apparent difference between these specialties lies right in their titles. Pediatric or children’s dentistry practices serve a younger clientele, focusing on patients from early childhood through the young adult stages. Rather than acting as jack-of-all-trades, they focus specifically on the developing needs of child patients.
On the other hand, general practices do not specialize. They serve patients of all ages and are often referred to as “family” dentistry. These dentists provide high-quality care to patients at any life stage but will be without some of the finer-tuned training that specialized practices receive.
Dental Training Requirements
With each of these bases requiring unique services and varying levels of dental aid, the training and practices required for staff also differ within the industry.
Like many specialties, pediatric dentistry typically requires additional levels of training, education, and live treatments to earn the title. All dentists, including those in general practices, must complete four-year undergraduate programs followed by accredited four-year dental schools. For dental graduates entering general or family practices, they are eligible to begin work without additional training upon obtaining their dental certification.
Beyond the previous requisites, pediatric dentists are required to complete multi-year residencies within this field to best serve the needs of children. This additional program involves a heavy focus on “baby” teeth, child-tailored sedation, working with growing permanent teeth, as well as broader children's behavior and communication techniques. To best communicate with young patients, these dentists will typically learn key elements of child psychology as well as a broad range of communication techniques to help keep the process as painless and informative as possible.
Differing Practices and Facilities
General dentists and children’s dentists will often look quite different during patient appointments, offering separate services, procedures, and equipment. While all dentists serve the same goal and purpose, healthy teeth and gums for their patients, their practices will differ. Children-centric practices have the additional training and knowledge to offer care with growing young people in mind. General care offers services to a more broad audience but isn’t able to provide the same tailored patient care for children as they are not the practice priority.
At children’s dentistry practices, you will find tools designed to fit young patients throughout their varying ages and stages of growth. This helps to ensure optimal care and comfort. Pharmaceutical prescriptions are also centered on the correct dosages for developing mouths and bodies. In addition, preventive care and education are emphasized to keep children on the right path as they get older, saving time and money down the road. This commonly includes early-start orthodontic care to help get ahead on any arising issues, as well as early childhood cavity treatment. X-rays and fluoride treatments are also offered more frequently in order to keep pace with the constantly evolving needs of kids as they grow and develop.
On a facility level, children’s dental practices also strive to create more child-friendly environments that may include enticing and mind-easing amenities such as video games in the waiting room or prizes offered throughout a visit or set time period. Creating a familiar and welcoming environment for children helps to form a friendly and stress-free association with dental visits. This helps the parent, patient, and dental staff all have smooth trips!
General dentistry will have more equipment, processes, and environments similar to many doctors and dentistry practices that you may have visited, with equipment, care rooms, and waiting areas geared toward adult patients and their needs. Services and preventive treatments may be offered less frequently as adult patients do not have the same frequent developmental shifts as children. The most common service taken advantage of at general practices is teeth cleaning, which adults should receive every six months.
Adult-oriented facilities also often consist of lobbies with magazine offerings, television, and plentiful seating to accompany the care rooms designed with older groups and sizes in mind.
Marketing Targets
When it comes to marketing products and services and attracting patients, the dental industry is similar to most others in the fact that advertisements and strategies are curated for their desired patients. This means that general and pediatric offices will typically look very different in their marketing efforts and will appear in different places.
For pediatric practices, showcasing an environment that appeals to both children and their parents is crucial. The dentist is often stressful enough for children, so exemplifying a comfortable and even fun environment is a key factor in making the visit an easier trip to make. This also helps alleviate the stress of a parent who may otherwise struggle to bring the child for their necessary care. Additionally, parents like to see safe, reliable, trustworthy facilities and staff where they feel confident their children are being cared for properly. These ads and marketing efforts are placed in programs and locations where parents and children are most likely to gather, appealing to both.
In other practices, marketing efforts may be geared more towards efficiency and convenience while still emphasizing quality. Adults with busy schedules, families, careers, and other obligations often appreciate practices that value their time without sacrificing the quality of care. These visuals reflect the efficient process and may emphasize more functional amenities, as opposed to more playful environments.
No matter the specialty, dental care is vital to the health and well-being of all, and aims to provide the best for all patients to keep smiles bright and healthy!
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