Which specialty involves care for children and adolescents in dentistry?

Pediatric dentistry is the specialty specifically focused on the dental care of children and adolescents, addressing their unique dental needs and concerns. This field involves not only preventive care but also the treatment of dental issues that may arise during the growth and development of younger patients, from infancy through teenage years.

Practitioners in pediatric dentistry are trained to handle the psychological aspects of treating children, making dental visits more comfortable and less intimidating. They are equipped with the skills to manage the overall dental health of young patients, including treating cavities, performing tooth extractions, guiding dental growth and development, and providing education on oral hygiene practices tailored to children.

This specialty is distinct when compared to other areas such as prosthodontics, which focuses on restoring and replacing teeth in adults, periodontics that deals with the supporting structures of the teeth and their diseases, and orthodontics that concentrates on the alignment of teeth and jaws. Each of these specialties serves a different demographic or aspect of oral health, but pediatric dentistry is dedicated specifically to the younger population, making it the appropriate choice in this context.