Paediatric Dentistry Specialists

What is Paediatric Dentistry?

Paediatric Dentistry is specifically concerned with the oral health of children from birth to the age of sixteen years.

What is a specialist in Paediatric Dentistry?

Many specialists in Paediatric Dentistry work in the hospital environment as a consultant or the in the community dental service (CDS) as senior dental officers (SDOs).

What treatments can a specialist in Paediatric Dentistry carry out?

The treatments carried out by a Specialist in Paediatric Dentistry will involve many aspects of most of the other dental specialities. For example, a child may seek treatment for a painful tooth which might need pulp treatment (pulpotomy), extraction, or restoration. Paediatric dentistry will also involve many behavioural techniques to help the child adjust or familiarise them to dental treatment. Treatments may be carried out under nitrous oxide sedation or general anaesthesia, as many children can be uncooperative or be too young to cope with extensive or complex treatment.

What additional training qualifications does a specialist in Paediatric Dentistry need?

To become recognised as a Paediatric Specialist, the dentist must obtain a Diploma of Membership in Paediatric Dentistry (MPaedDent) from the Royal College of Surgeons.

In order to apply for this speciality training, a registered dentist must have a minimum of two years of postgraduate general professional training (GPT). Trainees are also required to have Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery (MFDS or MFD) or equivalent, which normally takes two to three years to achieve.

Successful applicants must then complete a three year full-time (or part-time equivalent) training programme in order to be eligible for admission to the MPaedDent examination held by the Royal College of Surgeons. If successful, they can apply for the Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training (CCST), which allow them to apply to be on the specialist list.

In order to be appointed an NHS Consultant post in a hospital, specialists must successfully complete a further two years of an SAC approved training programme to be awarded the Intercollegiate Fellowship in Paediatric Dentistry, FDS (PaedDent).