While there is no specific age cap for when a patient should make the switch from having a pediatric dentist to a family or general dentist, it is common for those aged 18 years old to start seeing a general or family dentist as they will be able to provide dental care that is more suited to their specific needs. Making the switch is heavily dependent on comfort level though, with many teenagers choosing to see a family or general dentist even at 15 or 16 years old if they feel that they have outgrown the specialized care provided by a pediatric dentist. That being said, many pediatric dentists will continue seeing their patients even throughout college years, especially if the patient goes to college out of town and wants the convenience of seeing the same dentists when they visit home until they eventually have their own more permanent residence.