What is a pediatric dentist?
A pediatric dentist has undergone two to three years of additional specialized training beyond dental school in a pediatric dental residency. Some dental offices might call themselves a “kids” or “children’s” office, but only a dentist who has completed a pediatric dental residency is supposed to be able to call himself or herself a “pediatric” dentist.
What does it mean to be certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry?
Dr. Powell is certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (herein referred to as “the Board”). In other words, in addition to the additional years of training in child-specific dentistry, he has passed rigorous written and oral examinations administered by the Board. This basically is the “pinnacle” of achievement for a pediatric dentist. Occasionally, you might see a dentist who implies that he or she is board-certified when he or she is in fact not. You can verify whether a pediatric dentist is certified by the Board on their website at www.abpd.org/Diplomate-Roster.aspx.