Choosing a dentist for your child is a big decision, and it helps to know what is different about a dentist who focuses on children. The right fit can shape how your child feels about dental care for years.
At Hunterdon Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Brian Rooney, a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, and Dr. Reem Hemantharaju care for infants, children, and teens in Flemington, NJ. This page explains what pediatric dentists do, and our guide on how to choose a pediatric dentist offers more.
According to the American Dental Association, pediatric dentists go through the same dental schooling as general dentists, then complete additional training after dental school. The ADA calls them the pediatricians of dentistry.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry specifies that this training is a minimum of 24 months in an advanced education program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
That additional training focuses on the things that set children’s dental care apart from adult dental care.
The ADA says specialty training covers child psychology and childhood growth and development. The AAPD lists behavior guidance among the specialty’s core areas.
The ADA notes that pediatric dental training includes caring for anxious children. Our office also offers nitrous oxide for mild sedation when it is appropriate.
Pediatric dentistry includes children with special health care needs, as both the ADA and AAPD note, and we welcome all children and adolescents at our Flemington office.
The AAPD also includes caries prevention and the supervision of facial growth and development within the specialty.
The ADA is clear that there is no wrong answer between a general dentist and a pediatric dentist, as long as your child sees a dentist regularly. It adds that a general dentist may refer a child to a pediatric dentist who would benefit from additional care. Families often lean toward a pediatric dentist for reasons like these.
If you are unsure, we are glad to talk about your child’s situation and what kind of visit would work best.
Dr. Brian Rooney is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry who completed a two-year pediatric dental residency at UCLA, where he served as chief resident. Dr. Reem Hemantharaju earned a pediatric dental specialty certificate from Columbia.
Our treatment rooms include noise-canceling headphones and TVs, we use low-radiation digital X-rays, and we welcome all children and adolescents. You can see the space on our office tour or read what sets our practice apart.
Meeting a practice before committing can help you feel confident. Here are questions worth bringing along.
Ask whether the dentist has completed an accredited advanced program in pediatric dentistry, because the AAPD describes the specialty as requiring at least 24 months of that training.
Ask how the team helps nervous children feel at ease, and whether options such as nitrous oxide are available. Our pediatric dental FAQs answer other common questions.
Ask what the first visit involves and when to schedule it. Our page on pediatric dentistry basics covers timing and home care.
The ADA describes pediatric dentists as the pediatricians of dentistry. They complete the same dental school as general dentists, then additional training focused on children.
The AAPD states that pediatric dentistry requires a minimum of 24 months in an advanced education program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
The ADA lists child psychology, childhood growth and development, care for anxious children, and treating patients with special needs. The AAPD adds behavior guidance and caries prevention.
The ADA says there is no wrong answer if your child sees a dentist regularly. A pediatric dentist can be a strong fit for children who would benefit for health or behavioral reasons or who feel more comfortable in a setting designed for children.
Yes. Both the ADA and the AAPD note that pediatric dentistry includes children with special health care needs, and we welcome all children and adolescents at our Flemington office.
The ADA says the first visit should happen after the first tooth appears, but no later than the first birthday.
Dr. Brian Rooney is a board-certified pediatric dentist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry who completed a two-year pediatric dental residency at UCLA, where he served as chief resident. Together with Dr. Reem Hemantharaju, who earned a pediatric dental specialty certificate from Columbia, he welcomes all children and adolescents to our Flemington office, including those with special needs.
If you are deciding where to take your child, we are happy to answer questions and show you around. We accept insurance and fee-for-service, with CareCredit and Cherry payment plans available, so reach out through our appointment request form to schedule a visit.
