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      • Emergency Care
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        • Clear Aligners
        • Clear Ceramic Braces
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      • Implant-Supported Dentures
      • X-Guide Imaging Machine for Dental Implants
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      • Dental Care for Your Baby
      • Thumb Sucking
      • Tooth Decay
      • Cavities
      • Tooth Extractions
      • Pediatric Dental FAQs
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      • Botox
      • Teeth Whitening
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        • Invisalign at Parkcrest
        • Teen Invisalign
      • Bridges
      • Crowns
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      • Dentures
      • Cosmetic Dentistry FAQs
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    • Tour Our Office
    • Financial Information
    • Parkcrest Dental Group Testimonials
    • Patient Forms
  • Sedation Dentistry
  • Preventive Care
    • Parkcrest Dental Group Brushing & Flossing Tips
    • Orthodontic Dentistry: Brushing & Flossing with Braces
    • Parkcrest Dental Group Radiology
    • General Dentistry & Oral Cancer Screening
    • Sealants at the Parkcrest Dental Group
    • General Dentistry & Fluoride
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    • Meet Dr. Ropka
    • Meet Dr. Harrison
    • Meet Dr. Hall
    • Meet Dr. Fannin
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    • Meet Dr. Sponenberg
    • Meet Dr. Snider
    • Meet Dr. Allie
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    • What Sets Us Apart
    • 50th Anniversary
  • Contact Us
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What Age Should Your Child Stop Visiting A Pediatric Dentist?

  • July 31, 2019
  • 10:05 am
  • Pediatric
  • Children's Teeth, Children’s Dentist, Pediatric Dentist
  • Parkcrest Dental Group

As your child’s first teeth begin to come in, you should make dentist appointments for them at a pediatric dentist. As they grow, you may wonder if a pediatric dentist is still right for them. The team at Parkcrest Dental discusses the right age to switch from pediatric dentistry.

What Are The Differences Between Dentists And Pediatric Dentists?

Not many things set pediatric dentists and normal dentists apart. Regular dentists are required to complete their dental school training, while pediatric dentists must attend an additional two advanced years of training. Pediatric dentists are taught to manage the development of teeth in children, as well as how to care for children with special needs in a dental office. Pediatric dentists are also trained to analyze child behavior, so that they can make the right decision for their younger patients.

Regular dentists don’t have this training and may not be fully qualified to handle a younger patient. Dentists have quite a bit of knowledge under their belt, but a pediatric dentist is much more qualified to handle young children in the dental chair.

Related Post: When Should I Start Taking My Child To A Pediatric Dentist?

Who Should Visit A Pediatric Dentist?

Pediatric dentists should see your child throughout their lives to properly care for their dental health. Your child’s first visit to the dentist should be at a dental office that employs a pediatric dentist. As your child ages, pediatric dentists can sufficiently care for their teeth as they grow.

You may think that seeing a pediatric dentist throughout a child’s high school years wouldn’t be beneficial, but actually, it can be an excellent thing for your child’s oral health. Your child’s teeth may shift and move, and your child may even need their wisdom teeth removed during this time in their life. If you’ve been seeing the same pediatric dentist for years, they can monitor these changes and give you the best care for your teeth.

Related Post: What Can You Expect At Your First Pediatric Dental Visit?

When Should You Stop Seeing A Pediatric Dentist

As your child ends their high school career, it may be time for them to see a regular dentist. A child’s teeth will have mostly developed by this time in their lives, and they will no longer need to see a pediatric dentist. When the appropriate time comes, your pediatric dentist will make a referral to a trusted general dentist.

Receive High-Quality Dental Care At Parkcrest Dental

If you’re in need of a high-quality pediatric dentist for your child, Dr. Scottat Parkcrest Dental could be the fit for you. If you’re interested in scheduling your first appointmentat Parkcrest Dental Group, call us at 417-887-0357.

Meet Some Dentists in Springfield, MO

Dr. Stuart Scott (top left) is our pediatric dentist. He earned his degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry before completing a two-year residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Dr. Steven Harrison (top right) is board-certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. Dr. Harrison, our orthodontist, graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry. He’s been with Parkcrest Dental Group since 1986.

Dr. Chanin Ropka (center left) attended UMKC before joining the United States Navy, where she served as the only dentist on board the USS Germantown and at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego. Dr. Ropka began at Parkcrest Dental in 2001.

Dr. Daniel Fannin (center right) graduated from UMKC School of Dentistry in 1997. He completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency in 1998 before joining Parkcrest Dental Group that same year.

Dr. Steven C. Sponenberg (bottom left) has been a Springfieldian his entire life. He graduated from Creighton University School of Dentistry in Omaha, Nebraska, in 2004 before joining Parkcrest Dental Group immediately after.

Dr. Jason Hall (bottom right) is also a native Springfieldian. He earned his DDS from the University of Missouri at Kansas City Dental School in 1997. He came to Parkcrest Dental Group in 2010. Dr. Hall’s father, Stan, is also a dentist.

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