Offer your pediatric patients comprehensive care.

As pediatric dentists, there is no specialist that we work closer with than orthodontists. Pediatric dentistry and orthodontics go hand-in-hand as children and adolescents lose and erupt new teeth, experience malocclusions that need to be addressed, jaw problems that require treatment, and sleep issues that can be prevented if treated early enough. For pediatric dentists, taking in-person or online orthodontic courses can only benefit their practices and patients. The market is great for pediatric dentists as studies show only 38.8% of pediatric dentists practice orthodontics clinically. Some of the reasons pediatric dentists can benefit from adding orthodontics into their practices are detailed below:

1. Pediatric Dentists build Patient Trust

Pediatric dentists spend years building trust and comfortable relationships with their young patients and families. Parents trust that you are making considerate decisions for their children because your history together has proven that to be true. If you recommend orthodontics and can treat those cases yourself, they will appreciate it for so many reasons. It can be extremely cumbersome for parents to find a new dentist and build new trusting relationships all over again. Continuing care in the familiar setting of your practice reduces any anxiety of adapting to new office protocols and personalities, both for the parents and the child.

Remember, many pediatric dentists also have in-house orthodontists, so if you refer them elsewhere, they may simply stay for the convenience! There are only so many hours a parent can miss work to take their child to appointments.

2. Expand Your Knowledge

Pediatric dentistry heavily involves recognizing malocclusions and when to begin early orthodontic care and comprehensive orthodontics. It is recommended by the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) for all children to be evaluated by an orthodontist by age 7.   By taking orthodontic continuing education courses like the Basic Straight Wire Orthodontic Course, you are able to help your patients receive the early care they may need. You can also advance your education, your techniques offered, and experience the rewarding outcome of seeing your patients transform with orthodontics in your own office.

It is required to take continuing education courses as a pediatric specialist, so why not invest in orthodontic courses that can benefit your practice’s production rates and your patients’ dental health? Discover when the next course will begin. Each session is taught by Dr. Brad Williams, who has taught hundreds of general and pediatric specialists looking to incorporate orthodontics into their practice. There is no better way than to learn from a dentist who has done what you are trying to do.

3. Pediatric Dentists Treat Related Dental Issues

Pediatric dentists usually have minimal training in orthodontics from dental school and residency programs. What we do know is pediatric dentistry is directly linked to orthodontics. We identify malocclusions that can affect speech and eating and we diagnose jaw issues that can affect sleeping, and we spot tongue ties. Discussing these issues with parents are important, but being able to diagnose and treat them allows pediatric dentists to provide comprehensive care.

Sometimes patients avoid going to new dentists or referrals because they feel more comfortable with their long-term dentist. By understanding orthodontics, you will be a more knowledgeable  pediatric dentist and be able to identify issues that may otherwise go untreated. It is well known that pediatric dentists see patients probably more than any other healthcare speciality in childhood from routine dental visits, treating tooth decay, dental emergencies, and preventive sealant visits. You are an advocate for your patients’ health, and you may be the only qualified professional looking at their mouth for their entire childhood. Taking an orthodontic online or in-person course with Dr. Williams can only add value to your treatments offered to patients.

4. Physical well-being

Pediatric dentistry can be taxing on our bodies as we are contorting our necks and bodies to treat wiggly, sometimes nervous, children. After years of practice, it can cause long-term damage to our necks, hands, and backs. Incorporating orthodontics into your practice can benefit your health, physically and mentally, since it is less stressful and on our bodies. If you ever experience any injuries and are unable to use a handpiece, you can still diagnose and treat patients who need orthodontics to remain profitable or allow yourself time to heal.

5. Pediatric Dentists Can Grow their practice with Orthodontics

Orthodontics is a career path that expands your potential production rates, so why should you limit your pediatric dental practice to only one speciality? Adding orthodontics to your practice by taking the Straight Wire Orthodontic Course can add value financially as there is little risk or cost to adding the speciality. In fact, it may take as little as $2000 for initial orthodontic supply costs.

Dentistry is a financially rewarding career, but many towns and cities are saturated with dentists which leaves doctors to look for ways to appeal to new patients and retain older ones. Adding orthodontics can be just the thing a pediatric dentist needs to differentiate themselves from the crowd. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, even if you only add one orthodontic case per month, adding Orthodontics can increase your doctor salary by as much as 37%.