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General dentist vs pediatric dentist

The differences between general dentists and pediatric dentists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a pediatric dentist has an average salary of $166,900, which is higher than the $147,636 average annual salary of a general dentist.

The top three skills for a general dentist include patients, patient care and treatment planning. The most important skills for a pediatric dentist are patients, patient care, and diagnosis.

General dentist vs pediatric dentist overview

General DentistPediatric Dentist
Yearly salary$147,636$166,900
Hourly rate$70.98$80.24
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs48,61230,550
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Average age4646
Years of experience--

What does a general dentist do?

The primary job of general dentists is to diagnose, treat, and manage patients' oral health care needs, including root canals, fillings, and gum care. They are considered as the main dental care providers for both children and adults. General dentists typically perform a few tasks, including performing regular dental examinations and teeth cleanings, ensuring patients receive an appropriate and timely treatment for their dental issues and performing cosmetic procedures such as teeth whitening and cosmetic bonding.

What does a pediatric dentist do?

A pediatric dentist is responsible for taking care of children and infant's dental needs and concerns. Pediatric dentists maintain the patients' oral health, monitor their conditions, and schedule regular dental checkups. They also inspect and diagnose early dental problems and perform dental operations according to the patients' problem areas. A pediatric dentist must have excellent knowledge of the dental practices and processes, as well as having excellent communication skills to advise the children's parents and guardians of dental health techniques.

General dentist vs pediatric dentist salary

General dentists and pediatric dentists have different pay scales, as shown below.

General DentistPediatric Dentist
Average salary$147,636$166,900
Salary rangeBetween $99,000 And $219,000Between $99,000 And $280,000
Highest paying CityHaverhill, MADanbury, CT
Highest paying stateRhode IslandAlaska
Best paying companyBerkshireArthur's Enterprises, Inc.
Best paying industryProfessionalHealth Care

Differences between general dentist and pediatric dentist education

There are a few differences between a general dentist and a pediatric dentist in terms of educational background:

General DentistPediatric Dentist
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Most common majorAdvanced Dentistry And Oral SciencesAdvanced Dentistry And Oral Sciences
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California

General dentist vs pediatric dentist demographics

Here are the differences between general dentists' and pediatric dentists' demographics:

General DentistPediatric Dentist
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 53.5% Female, 46.5%Male, 25.4% Female, 74.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 2.9% Unknown, 3.2% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 23.4% White, 61.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 3.2% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 17.6% White, 66.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between general dentist and pediatric dentist duties and responsibilities

General dentist example responsibilities.

  • Set up OSHA plan for the office, and lead OSHA training.
  • Manage HMO and indemnity dental insurances.
  • Observe bonding, restorations, tooth extraction, periodontal surgery, dentures, root canal, and crown placement
  • Perform dental surgical procedures including extraction of diseas or irreparably decay teeth.
  • Work with Rueben Gordon, DDS
  • Hone dental/patient management skills.Alan Jon Napoles, DDS
  • Show more

Pediatric dentist example responsibilities.

  • Manage early and moderate periodontal disease, evaluate the results of periodontal treatment and establish maintenance program.
  • Verify insurance and authorization for medical treatment of patients as needed.
  • Register new patients, loading demographic information and collecting patient balances.
  • Manage early and moderate periodontal disease, evaluate the results of periodontal treatment and establish maintenance program.
  • Train as a cerec dentist completing same day crowns, inlays and onlays.
  • Write prescriptions for antibiotics or other medications.
  • Show more

General dentist vs pediatric dentist skills

Common general dentist skills
  • Patients, 34%
  • Patient Care, 25%
  • Treatment Planning, 15%
  • Diagnosis, 4%
  • OSHA, 2%
  • Dentures, 2%
Common pediatric dentist skills
  • Patients, 60%
  • Patient Care, 18%
  • Diagnosis, 4%
  • Infection Control, 3%
  • Insurance Coverage, 2%
  • Treatment Options, 2%

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