Why Bethlehem and Easton Families Choose a Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist
Why Some Families Choose a Pediatric Dentist Instead of a General Dentist
When your child needs a dental checkup, you have options. Many general dentists treat children and can provide routine preventive care, fillings, and other dental services.
So why would a family choose a pediatric dentist instead?
The biggest difference is additional specialty training. Pediatric dentists complete dental school and then receive advanced education focused specifically on infants, children, teenagers, and children with special healthcare needs. That training covers more than teeth. It includes child development, behavior guidance, oral growth, dental injuries, pharmacology, radiology, and treatment considerations for children who may need extra support.
For families in Bethlehem and Easton, that distinction can become especially important when a child is anxious, very young, has special healthcare needs, or needs more involved dental treatment.
At Lesavoy Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Bret Lesavoy completed his pediatric dental residency at Columbia University Irving Medical Center / NewYork-Presbyterian Children's Hospital and is a Board-Certified Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
What Does "Pediatric Dentist" Actually Mean?
A pediatric dentist is a dental specialist whose additional training is centered on children's oral health and development.
After dental school, pediatric dentists complete an advanced pediatric dentistry residency. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry describes these programs as providing extensive scientific and clinical training in areas such as child psychology and clinical management, child development, oral pathology, radiology, oral and facial trauma, special healthcare needs, conscious sedation, and general anesthesia.
That specialized education changes the scope of what a pediatric dentist is prepared to manage.
A child's mouth is developing. Their ability to communicate, sit still, understand instructions, and cope with unfamiliar situations is developing, too. Dental care has to account for all of that.
For parents, the practical question is less about which dentist is "better" and more about which type of training fits their child's needs.
What Does Board Certification Mean?
Board certification is an additional professional credential beyond completing dental school and a pediatric dentistry residency.
The American Board of Pediatric Dentistry uses a voluntary certification process that evaluates specialized knowledge and clinical skills. The process includes a qualifying examination and an oral clinical examination. A dentist who completes the certification requirements becomes a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
Board certification also represents an ongoing commitment to professional development. The American Board of Pediatric Dentistry requires active Diplomates to meet annual renewal and continuing education requirements, along with periodic renewal of certification.
In other words, "board-certified pediatric dentist" is not simply another way of saying "dentist who treats kids."
It indicates specialty training followed by an additional voluntary certification process.
What Does a Pediatric Dentistry Residency Cover?
The extra training pediatric dentists receive is one of the clearest differences between pediatric specialty care and general dental care.
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, a pediatric dentistry residency includes advanced clinical and scientific training in areas such as:
- Child growth and development
- Child psychology and clinical management
- Oral pathology
- Pediatric pharmacology
- Pediatric radiology
- Dental and oral-facial trauma
- Care for children with special healthcare needs
- Conscious sedation
- General anesthesia
- Advanced diagnostic and surgical procedures
That training matters because treating a child is not always as simple as making a smaller version of an adult dental appointment.
A two-year-old who refuses to open their mouth presents a different challenge than a cooperative teenager. A child with sensory sensitivities may respond differently to sounds, lights, textures, or unfamiliar instructions. A child with a dental injury may need quick evaluation while also being frightened or upset.
Pediatric dentistry training is designed around those realities.
Why Can This Matter for an Anxious Child?
Dental anxiety can make even a routine appointment difficult.
A child may be nervous because of a previous experience. They may not know what to expect. They may dislike the sounds or sensations associated with dental treatment. Younger children may simply not have the emotional or communication skills to understand why someone needs to examine their teeth.
Pediatric dentistry includes specific training in behavior guidance. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry describes approaches such as tell-show-do, positive reinforcement, distraction, descriptive praise, communication techniques, and desensitization. For some children, additional behavior guidance options may be considered based on their individual needs.
This is an important distinction.
The goal is not to make every child behave perfectly in the dental chair. The goal is to understand what is making the visit difficult and determine an appropriate way to move forward.
At Lesavoy Pediatric Dentistry, the practice's Bethlehem and Easton pages describe a child-oriented office with features such as a play area, coloring bar, ceiling TVs, prize towers, and a comfort menu. The practice also notes that parents are welcome in the exam room and that the team works with children who need additional support.
What About Children With Special Healthcare Needs?
Some children need dental care that takes their medical, developmental, behavioral, or sensory needs into account.
Pediatric dental residency training specifically includes care for patients with special healthcare needs.
That does not mean every child with additional needs will require a different treatment plan. It means the dentist has specialized training that can help inform how the visit and treatment are approached.
For example, a child may have difficulty communicating verbally, tolerate certain sensations poorly, or need additional time and preparation before treatment. In some situations, behavior guidance or sedation may be considered. Those decisions should be individualized based on the child's health, development, treatment needs, and the risks and benefits of available options.
Lesavoy Pediatric Dentistry specifically states that it welcomes children with autism, ADHD, sensory sensitivities, and other developmental or medical needs. The practice also offers pediatric sedation dentistry when appropriate.
For parents, that can make specialty training especially relevant when a routine dental appointment has not worked well in the past.
Does Every Child Need a Pediatric Dentist?
No.
A general family dentist may be an excellent choice for a child who is comfortable in the dental office and has straightforward preventive or restorative needs. Many general dentists have extensive experience treating children.
Choosing a pediatric dentist is more about matching the provider's training to the child.
Parents may want to consider a pediatric specialist when:
- Their child is very young and beginning dental care
- Their child has significant dental anxiety
- A previous dental visit was especially difficult
- Their child has sensory sensitivities or developmental differences
- Their child has special healthcare needs
- Their child has experienced a dental injury
- Their child needs more complex pediatric treatment
- Parents want a dentist whose specialty training centers on children and their development
The right choice depends on the child, the treatment needed, and the family's preferences.
Why Bethlehem and Easton Families May Choose Lesavoy Pediatric Dentistry
Lesavoy Pediatric Dentistry is located in Allentown and serves families throughout the Lehigh Valley, including Bethlehem and Easton.
The practice's location pages note that the office is approximately 15 to 20 minutes from Bethlehem and about 20 to 30 minutes from Easton, depending on the starting point and traffic.
For families considering a pediatric specialist, the relevant difference is not simply the drive. It is the combination of pediatric specialty training, board certification, and an office designed specifically around children's dental visits.
Dr. Bret Lesavoy completed his D.M.D. at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, followed by pediatric dental residency training at Columbia University Irving Medical Center / NewYork-Presbyterian Children's Hospital. He is also a Board-Certified Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
Families can learn more about the practice's approach to specialty pediatric care on the why visit a pediatric dentist page.
Bethlehem families can also find local information on the Bethlehem pediatric dentist page, while families coming from Easton can visit the Easton pediatric dentist page.
What Should Parents Look For When Comparing Pediatric Dentists?
Credentials are a useful starting point, but they are not the only thing to consider.
When comparing pediatric dental offices, parents can ask:
Does the dentist have pediatric specialty training?
Look for an accredited pediatric dentistry residency after dental school.
Is the dentist board certified?
Board certification through the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry is an additional credential that involves voluntary examinations and continuing professional requirements.
Does the practice accommodate anxious children?
Ask how the office handles children who are nervous, hesitant, or unable to cooperate during a traditional appointment.
Does the dentist treat children with special healthcare needs?
If your child has medical, developmental, behavioral, or sensory needs, ask how the practice prepares for those appointments.
What happens if my child needs more involved treatment?
It can be helpful to understand what treatment options are available and how the dentist approaches behavior guidance, sedation, emergencies, or referrals when needed.
These questions can help families compare practices based on something more meaningful than convenience alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a pediatric dentist different from a family dentist?
Yes. Both can treat children, but pediatric dentists complete additional specialty training focused on children's oral health, development, behavior guidance, dental injuries, and special healthcare needs.
Is board certification required to be a pediatric dentist?
Board certification is a voluntary credential. A pediatric dentist can complete specialty training without becoming board certified, while Diplomates of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry have completed the board's certification process.
How long is pediatric dentistry residency training?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry describes pediatric dentistry residency programs as two-year programs following dental school.
Can a pediatric dentist help an anxious child?
Pediatric dentists receive training in behavior guidance and child psychology as part of specialty education. Depending on the child's needs, approaches may include communication techniques, tell-show-do, positive reinforcement, distraction, desensitization, and, when appropriate, additional behavior guidance options.
Can pediatric dentists treat children with special healthcare needs?
Yes. Care for children with special healthcare needs is part of pediatric dentistry residency training. Individual treatment and behavior guidance should be based on the child's health, development, needs, and treatment requirements.
Does my child have to see a pediatric dentist?
Not necessarily. Many children receive excellent dental care from general family dentists. A pediatric dentist may be particularly useful when a child is very young, anxious, has special healthcare needs, or requires more specialized pediatric dental care.
Choosing the Right Dental Home for Your Child
For many families, choosing between a general family dentist and a pediatric dentist comes down to the child's needs.
A general dentist may be a good fit for routine care. A board-certified pediatric dentist brings additional specialty training focused on the unique dental, developmental, behavioral, and medical considerations of children.
For Bethlehem and Easton families considering that option, Lesavoy Pediatric Dentistry provides pediatric dental care from its Allentown office. Dr. Lesavoy's pediatric specialty residency and board certification provide an additional layer of specialized training for families looking for a dentist whose education centers specifically on children.
If you're comparing options for your child's next dental visit, start by looking beyond the title. Ask about specialty training, board certification, experience with anxious or medically complex children, and how the practice approaches the situations that matter most to your family.