Specialist training
A paediatric dentist is a registered dental specialist. They must first graduate as a general dentist and work for a number of years, before typically sitting further competitive exams to apply for a place in a specialist training program. They then complete a further 3 years of training at university and in specialist hospital settings like the Adelaide Woman's and Children's hospital or the Melbourne Royal Children's Hospital. They then graduate with a Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (Paediatrics) with the highest possible qualification in their field.
Focused on children’s dental care
This training focuses specifically on the oral health of infants, children, teenagers and children with special healthcare needs. Paediatric dentists are highly trained in child development, behaviour guidance, dental trauma, growth and development, complex dental treatment under sedation or general anaesthetic, and the management of more complex dental conditions in children. They are the most capable and highly qualified people to be looking after the oral health of all children.
When a paediatric dentist may be helpful
General dentists with an interest in paediatrics often provide excellent care for many children, but a paediatric dentist has significant additional training for children who need more specialised care, are very young, anxious, medically complex, have developmental needs, or require more involved dental treatment. Many Paediatric dentists prefer to see children who need that extra special care, taking new patients primarily by referral from general dentists. We welcome parents who feel their children would benefit from the extra care a Paediatric specialist can provide to reach out directly to the practice or to get a letter of referral from their regular dentist instead.