Children’s smiles are continuously growing and developing. It is exciting to see them his all of their milestones, like their first tooth eruption and losing their primary teeth. Because of all of these changes, it is beneficial to take your child to a pediatric dentist. This way, they can monitor their smiles as they get older. Pediatric dentistry isn’t new. In fact, it has been around for over a century! Continue reading to learn more about pediatric dentistry and its history.
The Beginning of Pediatric Dentistry
All the way back in 1913, an American dentist by the name of Alfred C. Jones opened the world’s first oral hygiene school called the Fones Clinic for Dental Hygienists in Connecticut. Women would be sent from the clinic to clean school children’s teeth. Ultimately, this would begin the rise of pediatric dentistry.
Not long after, a dental assistant in Los Angeles named Minnie Evangeline Jordon decided to begin her own practice solely for children. After completing a research project in college on the effects of sugar of children’s teeth, she sparked the idea. This was the first dental practice of this type.
Pediatric Dentistry Becomes a Specialty
It wasn’t until the 1940s that the American Dental Association officially recognized pediatric dentistry as its own specialty. This leads to a rise in awareness of the importance of children’s oral hygiene. At this point, there is an increase of approximately 50% of children seeing the dentist once a year. Eventually, a federal agency founded The Pediatric Dentistry Training Program, increasing the number of dentists trained to provide treatment to children with special needs.
Modern Pediatric Dentistry
A lot of things have changed and improved in the field of pediatric dentistry since it first took off in the early 1900s. Today, pediatric dental services are offered to children and teenagers aged 19 and younger through dental insurance plans. This results in more accessible oral healthcare to families all across the country.
Today, more than 86% of children in the United States are seeing a dentist at least once a year. This way, oral health issues can be caught early in their tracks and are less likely to result in problems that will follow them into adulthood. Frequent professional cleanings and other preventive treatments reduce children’s likelihood of developing tooth decay and gum disease.
Pediatric dentistry has come a long way in the last century. By taking your child to a pediatric dentist by their first birthday, you can help to set their smile up for success.
About the Author
Dr. Amar Singh is a skilled pediatric dentist who has been working in the field for nearly a decade. He earned his dental doctorate from Howard University College of Dentistry and is a Board-Certified Pediatric Dentistry. He is also a proud member of the American Dental Association, Pennsylvania Dental Association, and American Laser Study Club. To learn more about pediatric dentistry or to schedule an appointment for your child, visit his website or call (215) 874-3786.