Why would anyone go into Pedo?

[dentalvibe8881]

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Forgive me, I'm not yet in dental school so I don't know a lot about pedodontics. I tried looking at old threads but none answered this question.

Pedo just seems like general dentistry confined to children. For the most part, it seems like pedodontists work on the problem children that general dentists refer out. I'm aware that could be a stereotype so I'm asking those with better knowledge to elaborate on this field?

What makes Pedo an exciting field? How much do Pedo's earn in comparison to other specialties?

 

[bitecys]

Pedo is not just working on the hooligans that generals can't handle. A lot of parents like the idea of taking their kids to dentists who are "specialists." Sort of like kids going to pediatritions instead of family doctors.

There are lots of different things that you learn as a pediatric dentist that can take 2-3 years. For instance, you are one of the few specialists that can reserve a hospital stay to do general anesthesia on kids needing stainless steel crowns, etc.

Also you learn a lot of child psychology, iv sedation, and procedures specific to kids.

I CAN understand how some people would not be interested in treating just kids day in and day out. However, don't forget that not all of your patients are the "uncontrollable." Many are normal kids, the majority in fact. Also, when in your residency, you are trained in many different management techniques to take care of the rowdies.

Of course, this is coming from a biased source as this is what I'm planning on doing when I'm out of D school in 3 years.

Oh, and one mor thing! Thank god my gross anatomy finals are now over. It's now on to summer classes (a.k.a. classes not needing studying).

 

[Temple 2006]

I hope to do Pedo in the future as well. I love kids, and would much rather work with them then an adult who complains and whines as much, but the adults can be much nastier then the kids. I like to make an impression on the kids about how much fun the dentist really is and simple said I have a very goofy personality and don't mind make a fool of myself in front of other parents or kids as long as the work that needs done gets done in the shortest amount of time possible so the kid isn't forced to sit still for hours on end.
First and formost, if you hate kids and you aren't extremely patient pedo is the last thing on earth you need to do. Kids are nonstop energy and you have to have the same amount to hold them out. Pedo can earn more then GP's, but alot is location and if you accpet fee for service or Medicaid. Medicaid means you will have to be more productive and effecient to match fee for service.. ...
Anyone else have further insight....i could talk more, but I hate typing on this thing after awhile...
I'm Out
T2006

 

[Supernumerary]

I know that some pedo programs also provide a little ortho training. That would expand your scope of practice considerably. Also, it can be very fun working with children - you just have to have the right personality.

Pedos also work with the developmentally disabled and even "phobic" adults. (One of my college professors actually goes to a pediatric dentist cause she's scared to go to a "big people" dentist )

One other thing. When I was at interviews, some of the dental students were telling us about a recent grad of the pedo program there getting into a practice where she was expecting to net ~$300,000. Just hearsay, but WOW!

 

[quantumhead]

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

and kids are fun. Pedo has alot to offer if you have the patience and attitude.

 

[Kung Foo]

There is also a huge shortage of pedodontists in MANY areas... and not just the backwoods - which means practice building would not be a problem. The pedodontists I have shadowed (1.) Absolutly love what they're doing (2.) Have a ton of fun - the patients are non-judgemental; they get to decorate the office in a scooby doo theme, dress up for Halloween (and all the other holidays), and refer to the low-speed drill as "mr. bumpy," etc (3.) They're more like G.P.'s in that they get to follow most of the kids all through school until they go off to college (or where ever), which is really gratifying (4.) And they do generally see quite a few MR/DD patients, which is quite a challenge - and I'm consistantly impressed by how skilled they are at managing them.

Personally, I have no skill with children, so it's not so much an option, but if you really connect well with kids, I think it'd be a great way to practice. 😀

Monetarily, it is a "lower paying" speciality - but honestly, I feel that once you top that 100K a year mark, it's all relative - Being happy with your profession is SO MUCH MORE IMPORTANT than your salary! Also, it's the only speciality in which females out-earn males. Go figure.

 

[StarGirl]

they don't say there's a huge shortage of every speciality?? i don't know...certainly doesn't seem like it when there seems to be some type of dental office every other block. 🙂

 

[zazzookode]

There is no money in Pedo. There is nothing more disturbing to see lies spread on these message boards. If you are going into pedo for the cash, you will be sorely disappointed. Pedo's earn the least of all the specialties. They may make slightly more than a general dentist. But for the headache involved, it's not worth it. You would be lucky to earn 250K as a Pedo. For all that effort, you might as well go into something else and earn more.

 

[DrMom]

If you're good with children it really isn't more effort than any other area. I worked for a wonderful pedodontist a number of years ago. Just like anything else, you have to like what you do.

 

[Frank Cavitation]

a bit off-topic, but regarding shortage of specialists, what is the ratio of GPs to dental specialists in the US? In Canada it's roughly 9:1 which is much higher than the almost 1:1 ratio in medicine. Just curious if it's different down there 🙂

hmm and my comment about Pedo... of course your main strength should be in dealing with kids, but I can imagine their annoying and demanding parents may be another whole can o' worms... 🙁

 

[aphistis]

I'm pretty sure it's about a 4:1 ratio of GP's to specialists here. Seems like I remember reading that on the ADA website not too long ago.

 

[s.mutans]

Why Kids?

Prevention.
Where do caries start? Right at the eruption of primary teeth. You don't really work with kids per se. You actually educate the parent on hygiene, caries and parenting skills. Brushing a one year old's teeth requires supreme parenting innovations and games. You deal with the family as a whole also. Do they share toothbrushes? What is the parent feeding the kid at night? Sleeping with the bottle? Candy? YOu can catch the white lesions early and prevent further decay. American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children be seen at age one. HOw many gd's would like to see one year olds. Rarely! Pedodontists get these kids when they require major work.

Need.
Cavities are the most prevalent disease for children. 7 times more than asthma. Every pre-school class you see will have at least 3-5 out of 10 kids with one or more decayed teeth. There are 10 more kids to treat for every Baby-bottle tooth decay treatment. 20/20 cases are very prevalent. 20 teeth, 20 cavities. Check out your local federal head start program. Contact someone to do dental sreenings on their children.

Community Education

In-line with prevention, the community you will work in will have this huge challenge of treating children. Prevention and access to care are all under Community Outreach. Medicaid patients, cash patients, non-documented cases are the ones that you need to accomodate. Maybe you could talk with local pre-schools/day-cares reagrading oral hygiene, access to care, and insurance/resources from the community.

$$$$$$
Yes! Like any specialty you will make more than a G.D. The work that you will do will be tremendous compared to other specialties. Don't do it for the money.

Research/ Public health

New vaccines are currently being tested for caries! NO more cavities? We will soon see. Mass inoculations for cavities! S.mutans stamp on immunization records? Too Cool!

Go Pedo!

 

[Supernumerary]

There is no money in Pedo. There is nothing more disturbing to see lies spread on these message boards. If you are going into pedo for the cash, you will be sorely disappointed.

Of course there is money in Pedo. There is money in every field of dentistry. If you choose the field that you enjoy the most, you will be happy AND have money. What a great combination! 🙂

I didn't mean to suggest that all pedos are gonna be looking at that kind of money. It was just gossip that I heard secondhand, but people like to tell and hear outrageous stories like that. Everybody knows it's unusual - otherwise it wouldn't be interesting enough to retell.

Anyhow, I really doubt people are making life changing decisions based on what they read on an internet message board. 🙂 It seems that I remember you posting a while back about GPs making a half million a year or something like that. That's pretty darn rare, I'd imagine, but it's still fun to talk about.

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Getting back to the topic. It seems like pedos would see a lot fewer

 

[DcS]

There is no money in Pedo. There is nothing more disturbing to see lies spread on these message boards. If you are going into pedo for the cash, you will be sorely disappointed. Pedo's earn the least of all the specialties. They may make slightly more than a general dentist. But for the headache involved, it's not worth it. You would be lucky to earn 250K as a Pedo. For all that effort, you might as well go into something else and earn more.

If there was ever a lie spread on this board it is what you just said. I don't understand everyone's damn hangup about money on these boards. Everyone always spouts different numbers, "I heard generals make X," while someone else quotes some other source somewhere else. You know why there are so many different figures and it's so debateable??? Because there are so many variables it is impossible to quote one exact figure for each specialty.

I worked for 3 years for a Pediatric Dentist in NJ who took home 600,000 after his 63% overhead. And you can reply to this and say "You're full of ****". And I don't care, because this is the internet and there's nothing I'm gonna do to prove it to you and that's not the point. The point is, it doesn't matter what freakin specialty you go in to, how much you make varies so much. It depends on area, saturation, skill level, personality, physical looks, etc etc. Of course, in certain specialties, like Endo or Oral Surgery, you have a greater POTENTIAL at making more money. But you can't simply name a specialty and say you can't make any money in it.

But for you to say that "There is no money in Pedo" is just as ignorant as the things that bother you that other people say. Averages are just that: averages. There is money in everything in life people. If you are great at what you do, there are few limits to your success.

 

[zazzookode]

I worked for 3 years for a Pediatric Dentist in NJ who took home 600,000 after his 63% overhead.

And I know general dentists who take home 1,000,000 so what does that tell you, absolutely nothing. Yes, some realtors make millions of dollars per year while most are lucky to earn more than 45K.

We aren't talking about potential. We are talking about what Pedo's on average make. And they hardly make $$$ as others imply. That's why you were the only one to refute me because others know that I'm right. Pedo is not a high paying specialty despite what some want to believe.

 

[DcS]

I wasn't arguing the fact that Pediatric Dentists make the least of any specialty, I was surprised by your comment that they make "no money". I'm curious as to where you get your figures, as in only a little more than a general and lucky to make 250g. In any case, arguing over the internet is dumb. If you had a source that showed that pedos make only a little more than a general, I'd be interested in checking it out.

 

[dentalvibe8881]

If arguing over the internet was dumb then I suppose none of us would be here. I think everyone has a great point of view and I'm glad they are sharing it with us. As far as sources are concerned, everyone has to just take everything with a grain of salt. I'm sure he could ask you for your boss' tax returns as proof of his taking home 600K. Some things have to be taken on some faith if you know what I mean.

 

[tinker bell]

Ppl who love working with kids and also love to make lots of moolah.....They go to pedo.

 

[DcS]

Dentalvibe I agree, I wasn't asking for a source as proof, I was asking because I've searched all over the net and can't find one just to check out and read up on specialties.

I know the ADA puts out numbers occasionally as does the CRA...anyone have any idea how to track these down?

 

[Frank Cavitation]

now I'm not going to debate how much they make, but maybe pedo have fewer procedures in their repertoire? I mean primary teeth do become lost eventually, so I figure there's much lower demand for crowns and bridges because for a good portion of patients that is not indicated (except maybe low-cost stainless steel crowns). And instead of endo they will get pulpotomy, and how many kids get perio disease? So the 3 main areas for them are probably prophylactic, operative and ortho. Maybe the rare prostho or two when the kid has some congenital missing teeth or implants to replace loss of permanent incisors etc.

Anyway, not trying to join the "credibility" fight but hoping to make a point somewhere 🙂

 

[gryffindor]

Originally posted by zazzookode
We aren't talking about potential. We are talking about what Pedo's on average make. And they hardly make $$$ as others imply. That's why you were the only one to refute me because others know that I'm right. Pedo is not a high paying specialty despite what some want to believe.

I'll refute you. Why don't you wait till you get to dental school before saying stuff like "Pedo is not a high paying specialty." The pedo residents at our school have great offers waiting for them (lots of $$$) as soon as they are done. There is a great need for pediatric dentists, and a shortage in some areas of the country. At least, that's what our faculty told us in lecture, and I'm inclined to believe them over a pre-dent.

Interesting, but in the last few years, applications to Pedo have been on the rise. Just look at #s in the Journal of Dental Education. Ortho is still the most pursued of the specialties, something like 33%, but Pedo is at like 25%, meaning 1 in 4 students looking to specialize are applying to Pedo. That's alot considering perio and prostho are close to 5%. Oral surgery hovers somewhere between Pedo and Ortho, and Endo is on the rise.

Why? Here's what I think. Pedo is only a 2 year residency. And I have shadowed several pediatric dentists, only to hear them all say "Pedo is easy dentistry." Meaning it is the simple procedures in dentistry - class I and II amalgams, resins, sealants, stainless steel crowns, minor ortho. And it is an entirely different population set than the general dentist treats. I have met several practitioners who see very few kids and refer most of them out. Pediatric dentists are not going to be poor.

Why be a pediatric dentist? I've resesarched this specialty and have considered pursuing it because I enjoy my interactions with the kids more than my interactions with my adult patients. With children, they look at you like you're the coolest person, and you can make a difference in their attitudes toward dentistry and the importance of oral hygiene. With adults, it is very difficult to break the fears and habits they come with to the dentist. And you don't just get the really bad kids coming to you - 90% of the patients in the offices I've seen and in my pediatric rotations were very well behaved and were not throwing temper tantrums. But with the 10% that are difficult - that's part of the pedo challenge.

And if we're talking about $$$, hospital cases are very profitable for pedodontists, from what I've seen. These are the kids with severe baby bottle decay needing 8 pulpotomies and stainless steel crowns and 4 extractions, all done at once. However, the goal is to not let the patient get to that point, but you'd be surprised at how little parents know when it comes to taking care of their kids teeth.

 

[tinker bell]

When a pedodontist in Sacto told me how much he paid his associates, my jaw dropped. It's unbelievable money. And the job is not hard.....Pedo is truly easy money, like griffin said.
I have met lots of kids who like dentists because they like their pedo.

 

[DcS]

Thanks for some back-up, makes me feel like I'm not going as crazy as I thought after my 1st year of dental school.

You guys are lucky who get the summer off! But at least we get to start seeing patients so that's nice i guess.

 

[ItsGavinC]

Just to throw in my thoughts:

If you have business smarts, and are dedicated and kind, you can make a killing in pedo.

Not a little, but a killing.

 

[ehop24]

I work full time assisting in a pedo office, and I have been doing this for 8 months.

Clinically, pedo is about efficiency. As said earlier, there are only so many procedures that we see on a daily basis. But pediatric dentists can crank out pulpotomies and stainless steel crowns like no one eles.

an average morning at our 1 dentist office includes 6 ops. 3 will likely be resins of some sort, the other three SSC/pulpotomies. we run 2 operatory chairs. also during the morning, there are 2 hygeine chairs running nonstop.

in the afternoon, our office runs 4 hygeine chairs. our ortho is limited to fixed and removable appliances.

hygeine is much more basic in the pedo office as well. no perio, very little scaling.

all this said, our office is not nearly as efficient as it should be. on top of that, it is POORLY managed.

Working 4 day weeks, our office is on pace to gross nearly 1.2 million this year. Our overhead hovers at 55%.

 

[atlanta478]

Just to throw in my thoughts:

If you have business smarts, and are dedicated and kind, you can make a killing in pedo.

Not a little, but a killing.

Gavin, would you agree today with your statement from 5 year ago?

 

[Istr8nthem]

There is no money in Pedo. There is nothing more disturbing to see lies spread on these message boards. If you are going into pedo for the cash, you will be sorely disappointed. Pedo's earn the least of all the specialties. They may make slightly more than a general dentist. But for the headache involved, it's not worth it. You would be lucky to earn 250K as a Pedo. For all that effort, you might as well go into something else and earn more.

You are completely mistaken my friend.... I understand that like every other profession in the world, it depends where you set up your practice, what your motivation is, and how skilled you are in your trade, but trust me, pediatric dentists are among the HIGHEST paid dental specialty. In fact, their average earnings have now overtaken orthodontist's average salaries. This is according to polls from the AAO and AAPD. Trust those who are specialists, pedo's are making great money, but no amount of money is worth it if you are not in love with your job! If you can honestly sit there and tell us that there is no money in pedo, please also do us the favor of researching your claims before posting next time.

 

[aphistis]

Full-time pedo would kill me. There are people who thrive on it, though. I'm glad for their existence and for the satisfaction they get from what has to be incredibly challenging work.

 

[ItsGavinC]

Gavin, would you agree today with your statement from 5 year ago?

Yep, 100%.

 

[DrJeff]

Full-time pedo would kill me. There are people who thrive on it, though. I'm glad for their existence and for the satisfaction they get from what has to be incredibly challenging work.

I'll 2nd this statement 110%! Personally I'd much rather see a schedule filled with crotched old folks needing endo's on #2 than a schedule filled with 5 year olds needing restorative. Just WAY WAY WAY easier for me mentally to handle the older folks in my schedule.

Now if myself and just about all my local surrounding GP's could convince a pedodontist to open up atleast a satellite office in my area (closest pedo is roughly 30 miles in any direction) things would be great!

 

[HawkeyeDDS]

Most kids are great to work on, and great money to be made. if you're good you can crank out the work. But for me, I can only talk about sponge bob and Dora so many times in a day. I'd get burned out all day on kids. I love my own kids, but sometimes other peoples kids are rough. Mostly it's the parents of those kids that need a good kick to the head.

I love the specialists, if a kid bites my finger, off he goes to the pedo doc. 😉