A family dentist is known as a general dentist, and this means that they specialize in general or family dentistry. They spend three to four years in an undergraduate program and then go into another four years of dental school. A family dentist treats any issues that arise primarily in adult teeth. General or family dentists do not have the required specialization to work on a child, but some family dentists do treat children. Pediatric dentists in contrast are the most highly trained dental specialists that work with infants and young children. Due to several more years of training than a family dentist, these dental specialists are in a more qualified position to treat any active dental disease, tooth decay, cavities, and much more. They have more experience that gives them the opportunity to offer a more definitive, comprehensive, and atraumatic dental disease treatment for children.