Why see a Pediatric Dentist?

Pediatric dentists are dental specialists with additional years of training. Along with specialized technical skills, they also possess a thorough understanding of the needs and development of children. Pediatric dentists care for infants, children, adolescents and teenagers. They have also acquired specialized training in treating patients with special needs. Patient behavior management is a large part of the dentist and his or her staff’s expertise. In fact, it is perhaps the most important part of pediatric dentistry. In addition, most pediatric dentist have received specialized training in the appropriate use of sedation techniques such as nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation. In collaboration with an anesthesiologist, pediatric dentist can provide dental treatment under intravenous anesthesia and hospital general anesthesia. With these treatment modalities, our practice is able to tailor your child’s treatment to his individual needs. This expertise allows your child to ...  more

Click here to learn why you should choose a "Pediatric Dentist" for your child A 2004 Basic Screen Survey assessed more than 4,000 kindergarten and third-grade children in Colorado for untreated decay and urgent need. Forty-six percent of kindergarten and 57 percent of third-grade children have cavities and/or fillings. Twenty-seven percent of kindergarten and 26 percent of third-grade children have untreated dental decay. Less than 25 percent of third-graders had dental sealants. - Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, 2005 Never Underestimate the Pain of a Simple Toothache: Cavities Among Preschoolers Up and AAPD Fights to Reverse the Trend: The seemingly minor problem of a toothache can adversely affect children's overall health, their motivation to learn, their desire to eat; and in some cases it can even be life-threatening. Within the last three months, two children have lost their lives to preventable complications from infected teeth.  more

The staff at Valley Pediatric Dentistry is specifically trained to identify, treat and prevent pediatric dental conditions. With our major emphasis being placed on the total development of the child, including his/her psychological and dental well-being. Aspects of extended training include growth and development of the patient’s teeth and mouth, child psychology and treatment of the chronically ill and handicapped children. Many parents select a children's dentist just as they would a pediatrician, to assure that their child has the benefit of this additional experience.  more

A healthy smile contributes to good health & self-esteem. As a pediatric practice, we don't just treat the mouth, we treat the entire child. This means offering comfort & compassion, as well as the ability to see every child as an individual. We feel it's important for every child to feel good about oral health - a healthy smile contributes to overall health & self-esteem. We motivate children to take responsibility for their oral health because nothing makes us happier than seeing our kids taking pride in their smile. We also want to educate you, the parent, about your child's oral health. Because we stress preventive dentistry, it's important we regularly monitor the development of your child's teeth. When necessary, we also provide other pediatric services such as restorative dentistry, as well as orthodontic treatment to return the smile to your child's face. No matter the age of your child, from toddler to teen, the beginning of a great smile begins with the first visit.  more