Pediatric dentistry: the past, the present and the future

There have been many changes from the start of children's dentistry in the 1920's to the pediatric dentistry of the 1990's. The emphasis has shifted from treatment to prevention of dental disease. Minorities and females hold the key to the future. Economically, better practice management techniques and procedures are necessary in order to make a comfortable living in the years ahead. Pediatric dentistry has survived some difficult times, but the future appears bright.