Family or paediatric dentist for kids?

Reviewed by Dr. Samar Fadavi, DDS

Short answer: A general (family) dentist treats patients of all ages, including most children, for check-ups, cleanings, fluoride, sealants and fillings. A paediatric dentist has completed two to three extra years of training focused on children, and is often involved for very young children with extensive decay, children with complex medical or developmental needs, or treatment that needs sedation. Many families start with a family dentist and are referred when needed.

Family dentist or paediatric dentist: which one does your child need?

When it is time to book a child’s first dental visit, many parents wonder whether they should look for a paediatric dentist or simply bring their child to the family dentist they already see. Both choices can work well. The right one depends on your child’s age, health, temperament, dental needs and what is practical for your family. This guide explains the difference between the two, the situations where each is a good fit, and how to make the decision. It is general information for families in Scarborough and East Toronto.

What a general or family dentist does for children

A general dentist completes a dental degree (DDS or DMD) and is licensed to provide care for patients of every age. In Ontario, general dentists are registered with the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario. For children, a family dentist typically provides:

• First visits and regular check-ups from the first birthday onward.
• Cleanings and fluoride varnish.
• Sealants on the chewing surfaces of back teeth.
• X-rays when needed to check for decay or development.
• Fillings in baby and adult teeth.
• Treatment of minor injuries such as small chips.
• Advice on brushing, diet, thumb-sucking, soothers and sports mouthguards.
• Monitoring of how the bite and adult teeth are developing, with referral for orthodontic assessment when needed.
• Simple extractions of baby teeth that are not coming out on their own.

One advantage of a family dentist is continuity. Parents, children and grandparents can be seen in the same office, often at back-to-back appointments, and the dentist gets to know the family’s history and habits over many years. Children who come along to a parent’s check-up become familiar with the office long before their own turn.

What a paediatric dentist does

A paediatric dentist is a dentist who, after the general dental degree, has completed an additional two to three years of full-time university training focused on the dental care of infants, children, teens and patients with special health care needs. That training covers child development and behaviour, care of medically complex children, treatment under sedation and general anaesthesia, and management of dental injuries in growing children.

Paediatric dental offices are designed around children, with smaller equipment, child-sized spaces and teams used to working with very young or very anxious patients. Many work closely with children’s hospitals.

When a family dentist is usually a good fit

• Your child is healthy and has no or few cavities.
• Your child is reasonably comfortable with new people and settings, or can become comfortable with a gentle, gradual approach.
• Routine care is needed: check-ups, cleanings, fluoride, sealants and the occasional filling.
• You value having the whole family seen in one place, at convenient times such as evenings or Saturdays.
• You want a dentist who knows the family’s history and can follow your child into adulthood.

When a paediatric dentist may be the better choice

• Extensive decay in a very young child. A toddler or preschooler who needs many fillings or extractions may need treatment under sedation or general anaesthesia, which paediatric dentists commonly provide or arrange in hospital.
• Complex medical needs. Children with heart conditions, bleeding disorders, cancer treatment or other complex health needs may benefit from care closely coordinated with their medical team.
• Developmental, sensory or behavioural needs. Some children with autism, developmental delays or sensory sensitivities do well with a family dentist and a patient approach; others need the setting and techniques a paediatric office can offer.
• Severe dental anxiety that has not improved with gradual, gentle visits.
• Unusual development. Missing teeth, extra teeth, enamel defects or other conditions that need specific management.
• Serious injuries to baby or developing adult teeth.

In these situations, a family dentist will usually refer your child, and often continues to see the rest of the family and to provide routine care between visits.

How to decide, step by step

1. Start with your child’s health and needs. Are there medical conditions, developmental needs or signs of early decay? Note them before you call.
2. Think about your child’s temperament. Some children are curious and relaxed; others need more time. Either can do well in a family office with the right approach.
3. Consider practical factors. Distance, hours, parking, accessibility and whether siblings and parents can be seen at the same time all matter for keeping up regular visits.
4. Ask questions when you call. How does the office approach young children? Can a parent stay in the room? How long are first visits? How are nervous children handled?
5. Book a first visit and see how it goes. Your child’s comfort and the dentist’s explanation of what they found will tell you a lot.
6. Be open to a referral. A good family dentist will tell you when your child would benefit from a paediatric dentist, and explain why.

What to look for in any dental office for your child

• A dentist and team who speak to your child directly, at their level, and explain each step in simple words.
• Willingness to go slowly: a first visit that may be just a look, a ride in the chair and a counting of teeth.
• Clear explanations to you of what was found and what the options are, including the option of waiting and watching where it is safe.
• A focus on prevention: fluoride, sealants, diet and brushing advice.
• Hours that fit school and work.
• A language your family is comfortable with. Our office offers care in English, French, Farsi and American Sign Language.

What to avoid

• Waiting until there is a problem. Whichever dentist you choose, the first visit should happen by the first birthday.
• Choosing only by the waiting room. Toys and murals are nice, but how your child is treated in the chair matters most.
• Passing on your own fears. Talk about the dentist in calm, positive terms, even if you feel nervous yourself.
• Ignoring a recommended referral. If your dentist suggests a paediatric dentist, ask why, and follow up.
• Switching offices often. Continuity helps children build trust and helps the dentist track changes over time.

Children with nervous parents

Many parents who feel anxious about the dentist worry that their child will feel the same. It is a very common concern. Letting the dentist know helps. A parent can stay in the room, sit quietly in the background, or step out if the child does better that way. Some parents find that watching a calm, gentle visit for their child eases their own worries too. Our page on care for nervous patients explains how we pace visits for adults and children.

Dental care by age, from baby to teen

Babies and toddlers (birth to 3). The first tooth usually appears around six months, and the first visit is recommended by the first birthday. At this age the visit is short. The dentist looks at the teeth and gums, checks for early white spots that can signal decay, and talks with you about bottles, night feeding, teething and how to brush with a smear of fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice. Most of the work at this stage happens at home, and the visit is mainly about building good habits and a positive first experience.

Preschoolers (3 to 5). Children this age can usually sit in the chair, count their teeth with the dentist and have a gentle polish. Fluoride varnish may be applied, and the dentist checks for cavities between the back baby teeth, which is where decay often starts. Toothpaste moves to a pea-sized amount, and parents still do the brushing or finish it. Habits such as thumb-sucking or soother use are discussed if they continue.

School age (6 to 12). The first adult molars arrive around age six, and the front adult teeth follow. This is a busy time: sealants on new molars, monitoring of loose baby teeth, X-rays when needed, and checks of how the jaws and bite are growing. Sports mouthguards become important for active children. Many children can brush on their own by now, but flossing usually still needs a parent.

Teens (13 to 18). Teens have most of their adult teeth, and wisdom teeth start to show on X-rays. Diet changes, sports drinks, snacking, braces and busy schedules all affect their teeth. A family dentist who has known a teen since childhood can be a steady, familiar presence through these years, and can talk with them directly about their own care.

Getting ready for the visit at home

A little preparation helps any child, whether you choose a family or a paediatric dentist. Read a picture book about a dental visit together, or play dentist with a toothbrush and a stuffed animal. Use simple, calm words such as “the dentist will count your teeth and check that they are strong.” Avoid words that might sound scary, and avoid promising that nothing will be felt; it is better to keep it neutral and honest. Book a time of day when your child is usually rested and fed. Bring a list of any medications, allergies and health conditions, and your insurance or CDCP details, so the visit can focus on your child rather than paperwork.

How family and paediatric dentists work together

Choosing one does not rule out the other. A common pattern is that a child sees the family dentist for routine care, is referred to a paediatric dentist for one specific treatment, and then returns to the family office for check-ups. The two offices share X-rays and notes so care stays coordinated. If you are unsure, start with the dental home that suits your family and ask your dentist directly whether your child would benefit from a referral at any point.

For many families in Scarborough and East York, convenience decides whether visits actually happen. An office close to home or school, with evening and Saturday times, makes it far easier to keep a child on a regular schedule.

When to see a dentist

• By your child’s first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth.
• If you see white, brown or dark spots on your child’s teeth.
• After a fall or knock to the mouth.
• If your child has tooth pain, swelling or trouble eating.
• If thumb-sucking or soother use continues past about age four.

Our guide to your child’s first dental visit explains what to expect, and our children’s dentistry page describes how we care for young patients. For injuries, see our same-day emergency care page.

Questions about family and paediatric dentists

Can a family dentist see my baby?

Yes. General dentists routinely see babies and toddlers for first visits, check-ups and prevention.

Is a paediatric dentist better for every child?

No. Most healthy children are well served by a family dentist for routine care. Paediatric dentists are especially valuable for complex needs, extensive treatment in young children, and care under sedation.

Do I need a referral to see a paediatric dentist?

Some paediatric offices accept self-referrals; others prefer a referral from a dentist or doctor. A referral letter with X-rays and notes helps the new office plan care.

Will my child have to switch dentists as a teenager?

With a family dentist, no. Many paediatric dentists transfer care to a general dentist in the teen years or early adulthood.

Can siblings and parents be seen together?

At a family office, often yes. Ask for back-to-back appointments when you book.

What if my child will not open their mouth?

That is common at first. A short, positive visit with no pressure is still useful, and most children open up over a few visits. If not, a referral may help.

Is CDCP coverage accepted for children?

Our office accepts Canadian Dental Care Plan patients. Our CDCP page explains how billing works here.

Related guides

• Teeth grinding in children
• Brushing and flossing for kids by age
• How anxious are you at the dentist?