Pediatric Dentists Aren't the Only Ones Who Treat Children, Reveals Survey by The Wealthy Dentist

Most dentists are happy to treat pediatric patients, reveals a survey by dental practice marketing resource The Wealthy Dentist. Ninety-five percent of dentists surveyed treat teens, and two out of three treat kids under 6.

Of course, a pediatric dentist will always accept child patients. Though many family dentists also practice children's dentistry, over 10% of general dentists said that they always refer out patients under age 6. On the other hand, nearly all dentists report that they treat teenagers.

Sometimes dentist profits are a fortunate side effect of acting as a pediatric dentist. "If you treat children like gold, you'll see their mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, and grandparents as well!" advised a Virginia dentist. An endodontist pointed out, "It seems like parents readily spend money on their kids, but compromise on themselves if required."

But some dentists do not prefer working with children and baby teeth. "I break out in hives when I treat anyone under 18," claimed an Indiana dentist. Agreed a Kentucky dentist, "I don't enjoy restorative on very small children… It's not profitable, and it's stressful."

Dentists do best when treating the kinds of patients they enjoy treating. "If you do not enjoy treating kids, then don't!" said an Illinois pediatric dentist. "They know you do not like it and they get traumatized." For a Michigan dentist, it all comes down to behavior: "If they can be reasoned with and kept calm with nitrous, I'll treat them. I don't treat anyone that is screaming and crying, and I don't care how old they are! Be calm, or take drugs!"

Providing good dental care for kids is an essential part of keeping children healthy. "Children will have a better dental life if they start with a pediatric office," said a New York dentist. "Pedodontists make their money the old fashioned way - they earn it!"

"Children are the dental patients of the future - and the present, too," said Jim Du Molin, dental patient marketing guru and founder of dental website The Wealthy Dentist. "But if treating kids will cost a dentist his or her sanity, then there's no sense in offering pediatric dental care!"