Pediatric Dentistry & Gerodontology
Paediatric dentistry deals with children from birth through adolescence. Pediatric dentistry is a branch that adapts techniques and procedures from general dentistry and specialties to provide primary and comprehensive preventive and therapeutic oral health care for children.
Paediatric dentists treat a varied range of diseases in infants, children and adolescents, including those with special health care needs, and are experts in providing care to make their patients feel comfortable. Paediatric dentists also educate their patients and the parents of the patients about the importance of oral health and preventative oral health care.
Geriatric dentistry or Periodontology is the delivery of dental care to older adults involving diagnosis, prevention, management and treatment of problems associated with age related diseases. The mouth is known as a mirror of overall health, reinforcing that oral health is an integral part of general health. In the elderly population poor oral health has been considered a risk factor for general health problems. Older adults are more susceptible to oral conditions or diseases due to an increase in chronic conditions and physical/mental disabilities. Hence, the elderly forms a distinct group in terms of provision of care.