Pediatric Dentistry
From baby teeth to braces, we offer pediatric care and personalized
plans to keep your child’s teeth strong and healthy.
What is pediatric dentistry?
Pediatric dentistry is the specialized area of dental care dedicated to the oral health of children from infancy through their teenage years. Because young mouths change so quickly, its focus is on monitoring physical growth and dental development to catch issues early.
Explore our kids pediatric dentistry services
Young smiles need special care. From infants to teens, we make every stage of your child’s dental care feel easy and comfortable.
What to expect at your child’s first dental appointment
We recommend scheduling a first visit by your child’s first birthday or when their first tooth appears. This visit is all about comfort and education, focusing on:
- A gentle exam: We check the teeth and gums to make sure everything is developing as it should.
- Easy hygiene tips: We’ll show you the best ways to brush and floss your child’s teeth at home.
- Healthy habits: We discuss how diet affects oral health and what to expect as more teeth erupt.
- Monitoring progress: We track your child’s growth at every stage to ensure a healthy transition to permanent teeth.
Find a Pediatric Dentist Near You
We offer specialized children’s dental care at all our locations across Arizona and California, including dedicated kids-only offices. Use our office locator to find the nearest provider and schedule your visit.
Trusted emergency dental care for all ages
At Western Dental, we’re here when you need us most. Our team provides fast, compassionate emergency dental care for patients of all ages, prioritizing your comfort and relief from pain. Whether you’re dealing with a severe toothache, broken tooth, or unexpected dental injury, we’ll assess your situation quickly and create a treatment plan that restores your smile and peace of mind
Hear what’s making our patients smile
I had such a wonderful experience at this western dental. The entire staff was incredible. They really attended to my children to make them feel safe and calm. Would definitely be coming back.
I love Western Dental Kids because the staff nurses and doctors are always so nice and patient. I have a hard time going to the dentist with my daughter because she is very paranoid of the dentist and is always scare. But at the end of the visit she is always happy and that makes me happy. It’s a very enjoyable and welcoming environment and I wouldn’t change to any other office if I don’t have too.
My kids loved coming to this location. They always get a prize at the end of the visit. Dr.Baronian was such a wonderful doctor. April is a phenomenal manager who helped me understand my insurance and coverage. Everyone is great with the kids. Enzo the front desk was wonderful to talk to help me with scheduling my appointments!
Kids dentistry FAQs
We recommend scheduling your child’s first dental appointment within six months of their first baby tooth appearing or by their first birthday, whichever comes first. Regular visits help set the stage for healthy habits and allow us to catch any potential issues early.
Western Dental offers children’s dental care at all of our locations, but we also have dedicated pediatric (kids-only) offices. Our pediatric offices provide full-service care for infants, children, teens, and patients with special needs. You can expect friendly and safe dental care from a dedicated team of dentists, hygienists, orthodontists, and specialists trained to support young patients with extra attention and care.
Preventive care and cleanings can protect kids from tooth pain and long-term dental problems. Cavities are the most common childhood disease—but with regular visits, they’re easy to prevent.
At Western Dental Kids, we offer a free complete checkup for children. If your child needs additional dental care or braces, our team can help you find the resources you need, including help enrolling in Medi-Cal.
The Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment (KOHA) requirements are mandated by California law and require that children meet certain dental care standards before starting school. Here’s what you should know:
- Who is it for: California children entering public kindergarten, or first grade if your child did not attend kindergarten.
- What is required: Dental checkup by a licensed dentist or a registered dental hygienist.
- When to get your child’s exam: By May 31 of their first school year or within 12 months before your child enters school.
- Why it matters: Poor dental health and cavities have been shown to affect kids’ eating habits, cause tooth pain, and impact concentration and learning in school.
- How to meet KOHA requirements: Your school will give you the required form to take with you to your child’s dental checkup. After the checkup is complete, the dental provider will fill out the required form, which you can then send to your child’s school as proof of compliance with KOHA requirements.