A parent wrote to us: "I searched for a kids dentist near me and every office says it sees children. One says pediatric dentist, another says children's dentist, and one says board-certified. Are these all the same thing, and how do I know which one my child is actually seeing?" The short answer is no, they are not the same. "Kids dentist" or "children's dentist" is a description that any dentist can use. "Pediatric dentist" is a recognized specialty that requires two to three extra years of residency after dental school. "Board-certified" goes one step further: it means the pediatric dentist also passed the national exams of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.

What each title actually means

Here is the plain-language version of the three titles you will see most often when searching for a dentist for kids.

  • Kids dentist, children's dentist, dentist for kids: a description, not an official title. Any general dentist who sees children can use these words. It tells you the office welcomes children, but it does not tell you anything about extra training.
  • Pediatric dentist: a recognized dental specialty. After finishing dental school, a pediatric dentist completes an additional residency of two to three years focused entirely on treating children.
  • Board-certified pediatric dentist: a pediatric dentist who, after the residency, also passed the national exams of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD). Dentists who reach this level are called Diplomates of the ABPD.

What board-certified means and how to check it yourself

Board certification is voluntary. A dentist can complete a pediatric residency and practice as a pediatric dentist without ever sitting for the board exams. Because the certification is granted by an independent board and not by the office itself, it is one of the few things about a dentist that you can verify on your own, without taking anyone's word for it.

  • Check the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry website. The ABPD keeps a public record of its Diplomates, so you can look up a dentist by name.
  • Ask the office directly. A simple question works: "Is the dentist who will see my child a board-certified pediatric dentist?" A clear office will give you a clear answer.
  • Look at how the practice lists its doctors. When a dentist is a Diplomate of the ABPD, offices usually say so by name, together with where the dentist studied and completed residency.

Why it can matter for your family

For many families, any dentist who is patient with children will do, and the pediatric dentist vs. family dentist question that we cover in another article comes down to convenience and preference. The title tends to matter more in specific situations: a very young child, a child who is anxious about the dentist, a child with special needs, or a child who will need extensive treatment over several visits. In those cases, a pediatric dentist brings years of training that was entirely about children, and a pediatric office is built around them. This article is about titles and credentials, not about which kind of office is right for your child.

Who Dr. Brent Tucker is at Kids2Dentist

Parents sometimes search for "Dr. Tucker dentist" after hearing his name from a friend or a referring office, so here are his credentials exactly as they stand. Dr. Brent Tucker is a board-certified pediatric dentist and the Clinical Director of Kids2Dentist, our pediatric dental offices in the Central Valley of California.

  • Diplomate, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD), which is the board certification described above.
  • DDS, Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry.
  • Residency in pediatric dentistry, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

How to know who will see your child at each office

Kids2Dentist has offices in Fresno, Visalia, Delano and Porterville, and a Clovis office that is opening soon. Our Clinical Director is a board-certified pediatric dentist, and our team includes both general dentists and pediatric dentists. If it matters to you who will see your child on a given day, ask when you book. You can book online from the page of each office in minutes, in English or Spanish, or call the office; our Visalia line answers day and night, in English and Spanish, and can schedule a first visit. Once you are in the office, a parent can stay with the child during the visit, so you will meet the dentist yourself.

Frequently asked questions

Can a general dentist treat children?

Yes. A general dentist is licensed to see patients of all ages, including children, and many are very good with kids. What a general dentist does not have is the extra two to three years of pediatric residency, and calling the office a "kids dentist" does not change that.

How do I verify if a dentist is board-certified?

Look up the dentist by name on the website of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, or ask the office whether the dentist is a Diplomate of the ABPD. Both take a few minutes. If the answer is yes, the office should be able to tell you without hesitation.

Are all the dentists at Kids2Dentist pediatric dentists?

Our Clinical Director, Dr. Brent Tucker, is a board-certified pediatric dentist, and our team includes general dentists and pediatric dentists. If you want to know who will see your child at a specific office and date, ask when you book online or by phone and the team will tell you.

Does it cost more to see a pediatric dentist?

Not necessarily, and it depends on your plan, not on the title. Kids2Dentist accepts Medi-Cal (the dental program known as Denti-Cal) and most PPO plans. The office verifies your coverage and explains what your plan covers before any treatment, so there are no surprises.

From what age can my child see a pediatric dentist?

A pediatric practice sees children from babies through the teen years. If you are not sure whether it is time to book, call any of our offices and the team will help you schedule.

The bottom line

"Kids dentist" is a description anyone can use, "pediatric dentist" is a specialty earned through two to three years of extra residency, and "board-certified" means the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry confirmed that training with national exams. You can check the last one yourself on the ABPD website or by asking the office. At Kids2Dentist, our Clinical Director, Dr. Brent Tucker, is a board-certified pediatric dentist, and if you want to know who will see your child, all you have to do is ask when you book.