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Children's Dentistry
We Treat Little Ones Exclusively

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Children's Dentistry | Dentist
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Children's Dentistry

We are pleased to provide quality dentistry for qualifying children. 

Our office begins seeing children at a young age to promote healthy oral habits from the start. We also work with parents on techniques and education, so they have the tools to help their children achieve and maintain healthy smiles. 

Your Child's First Visit

At your child's first visit, we will help familiarize them with our dental office so they feel safe and comfortable. We will show them their teeth in the mirror, take them for a ride in the dental chair, and brush their teeth. That way, everything is already familiar to your child when we start dental cleanings and other regular care.

Preventive Care

We believe all great dental health begins with an excellent preventive routine. That is why we work with parents to create a successful home care regimen including brushing and flossing, avoiding sugary treats, and eating a good diet that promotes healthy teeth and gums.

Our dental team complements excellent home care with routine examinations and cleaning appointments. We also offer additional preventive treatments such as fluoride and sealants to keep your child's teeth healthy and strong.

Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are a plastic coating that we apply to your child's teeth to prevent decay. If your child is at high risk for decay or has particularly deep grooves in their teeth, we can apply dental sealants to keep food and bacteria from settling in those grooves and causing cavities. 

Dental sealants are less expensive and less invasive than fillings. They can last for up to five years and can be replaced once they wear off.

Gentle Treatments

For most kids, some dental treatment is eventually necessary. We are both compassionate and gentle in our approach to treating children.

We know how important it is to make sure children are comfortable and don't experience dental anxiety. When we treat children, we speak to them in language they understand and let them know what we will be doing. That way, their treatment is more effective and less scary.

If you would like to schedule an appointment for your child, give us a call. We are pleased to serve your entire family and to provide you with excellent, personalized dental care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Both your pediatric specialist and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) state that your child's dental visit should be at one year of age or at least six months after the first tooth comes in.

There are many reasons to start dental care early on, such as:

  • It allows your pediatric dentist to begin monitoring your son or daughter's oral health and development so they can detect any concerns at an early stage.
  • It helps your child acclimate to visiting the dentist and to understand that it's a safe and welcoming place.
  • This is an excellent time to ask questions about your son or daughter's oral development so you can make the most of your routine at home.

You can prepare your child for their dental visits by talking about it beforehand in a positive way. Reading books or stories about visiting the dentist can also help prepare them for what will happen during their appointment. You might also consider bringing your child along with you to your cleaning and checkup so they can see what visiting the dentist is like.

We are happy to help! Contact our office for more information on preparing your children for their first dental visit.

Many people feel fearful about visiting the dentist, and your child is not alone. Many adults who suffer from dental anxiety report that it's from a bad experience they had at the dentist as a child.

There are a few things you can do to help prepare your child for their dental visits:

  • Talk about the dentist in a positive way. Even if you have dental anxiety, be careful not to project your fear onto your child.
  • Read stories or color pictures about the dentist, and even role-play visiting the dentist with their stuffed animals or toys.
  • Consider bringing your son or daughter with you to the dentist when you have your next appointment. This allows them to see what it's like at the dental office.

You can also speak with your pediatric dentist about solutions they offer for relieving dental anxiety at their practice. There are options for sedation dentistry, such as nitrous oxide (laughing gas), that can help your child feel at ease during most types of procedures.

Be sure to discuss your concerns with your pediatric dentist before your child arrives for their appointment so you can have an effective plan in place to create a positive experience.

Meet Our Doctors:

Brock Buzbee DDS
Dentist

Gary Dollens DDS
Dentist

Dr. Gary Dollens has over three decades of experience as a general dentist and has served patients with the Children's Smile Center since 2014. He earned his credentials from the ...

Matt Kufahl DDS
Dentist

Dr. Matthew Kufahl has been in dentistry since 2010 and has served patients at Children’s Smile Center for over a decade. He aims to provide comprehensive dental care and help ...

Anna Novario DMD
Pediatric Dentist

Dr. Anna Novario is a Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine graduate, earning her doctorate and then her pediatric certificate from New York University-Langone. As a pediatric dentist, she ...

Krissy Oliver DDS
Dentist

Dr. Oliver is originally from Parsons, KS. After high school, Krissy attended Labette Community College where she ...

Thomas Quinn DDS
Dentist

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