No, pediatric dentists cannot treat adults. Pediatric dentists are legally restricted to only provide dental treatments to children. Even though pediatric dentists have a 4-year dental degree prior to specializing in pediatrics, part of their specialization process means that they no longer practice outside of their area of expertise.
Once your child turns 18 – or when they’re mentally or emotionally ready to move on from seeing a pediatric dentist — they’ll have to find a new dentist to see. In that case, having a family or general dentist is the next step. Family or general dentists can see patients of all ages, so it’s possible for them to provide comprehensive family services without you having to make an extra trip to see a pediatric dentist.
If you as a parent ever have a dental emergency, you are unable to see your child’s pediatric dentist for treatment. You’ll need to have a family dentist who is able to offer adult dental services. That’s why so many families choose to bring their children to see the same dentist that they do for themselves.