Welcome!
Our doctors and team are highly experienced in providing a positive first dental experience for kids of all ages, abilities, and medical complexities. We use a gentle and stress-free approach to keep your child comfortable during their entire visit.
We all look forward to welcoming your young family members to our practice family. We’d be honored to be your partners, and to help your little ones establish dental health and a passion for maintaining healthy, bright smiles for life. Please contact us to learn more and schedule your child’s next dental appointment at Pediatric Dentistry of Pleasant Hill today!
Insurance Eligibility
Before Your Visit
We are here for support even before you step foot into our office.
Convenient Scheduling
We understand life can get busy. We offer early morning timeslots, Saturday appointments, and are open during many school breaks and holidays. You can call, email, or schedule your first visit online!
Our team will verify your insurance eligibility prior to your visit to help you maximize your dental benefits. We will also file the claim for you after your visit is complete, and follow up with the claim to make sure it gets paid.
New Patient Forms
Our forms are sent to your email or can be texted to you so they can be completed at your convenience. If you have any questions, you can call our office.
Office Tour
If your child is anxious or simply curious, we are happy to schedule a "happy visit" prior to the first visit to show them around the office, say "hi" to the doctor, and receive a fun prize!
Special Accommodations
If your child has any special needs or if you have any specific concerns, please communicate them with our office so we can best assist your family.
Any Other Concerns?
It is our top priority for your child to have a positive dental experience! Our goal is to provide a personalized visit for your family, so that the positive memories will grow into to a lifelong relationship at our office.
Tour Our Office
From the reception area to treatment rooms, our office is designed to be kid-friendly. We want your child to feel comfortable and confident in our care.
Your Child's First Dental Visit
You will find our office to be a pleasant and caring environment. We know positive experiences can set the tone for your youngster’s future dental health, so we make sure each visit is filled with praise, guidance, and encouragement.
Core to our practice is the dedication to treating every boy and girl as an individual. We really listen to each child and encourage them to be engaged, informed participants in their dental visits. Our doctors and staff have dedicated their careers to helping children and are skilled at establishing trust by offering a safe and happy place for them to be!
When should my child's first dental visit be?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends taking your child to the dentist by age 1 or 6 months after the first tooth comes in. It is important to find a dental home for your child early to establish healthy habits.
Don't worry if you didn't make it to a dentist that early! We are here to support you at any age. It is never too late to schedule a dental appointment, no matter how much time has passed. Our office is a judgment-free zone.
What are our goals?
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To allow your child to get acquainted with the dentist in a non-threatening environment
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To build your child’s comfort and confidence in the dental setting
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To keep the experience positive for the child and as educational as possible for the parent
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To answer your questions & support you, too!
What can you expect?
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The visit may include a full exam of the teeth, jaws, bite, gums, and oral tissues to check growth and development
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An age appropriate cleaning of the teeth
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The dentist will give you individualized advice based on your child’s needs — this can include brushing/flossing, diet, pacifier/thumb sucking/grinding habits, and dental injury/trauma prevention
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The dentist will also assess your child’s risk for cavities and develop a prevention plan tailored to your family's needs
What are some things to consider?
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Prepare your child with roleplay (with them as the dentist or the patient), books, videos, or dental themed toys
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Prepare yourself. Be honest with your view of the dentist. If you have dental anxieties, be careful not to relate those fears or dislikes to your child.
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Have something special that can look forward to after the visit. It can be something tangible like a toy/screen time, a food reward, or a fun experience.
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If your child becomes upset during the visit, stay calm and work with the dentist to create a positive experience!
Remember, it takes teamwork between parent, child, AND the dentist to maintain a lifetime of good oral health.
Why a Pediatric Dentist?
Pediatric dentists, like pediatricians, receive multiple years of advanced training to treat children. They are able to address the emotional, physical, and behavioral needs of children. Clinically, they learn many specialized procedures to treat cavities in baby teeth, which are more susceptible to decay than adult teeth. Pediatric dentists understand how to best make the patient feel comfortable, while delivering the best oral care. They are also able to develop a customized prevention plan just for your family so that your child can stay cavity-free.
All aspects of our office are specially designed to accommodate children: from the character toothbrushes and fun prizes to the special tools designed for smaller mouths. Our staff are also trained to use child friendly language, and have the compassion to help care for even the most anxious child.
What Does "Board Certified" Mean?
A board certified pediatric dentist is a pediatric dentist who has applied and passed a examination conducted by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. This written and oral examination process validates their knowledge, skills and experience for delivering quality patient outcomes. Involvement in the certification process is a demonstration of the pediatric dentist’s pursuit of continued proficiency and excellence.
The certification process involves a written Qualifying Examination and an Oral Clinical Examination covering all areas of information on which a pediatric dentist should be knowledgeable. Certification is awarded for a time-limited period and they must renew annually to maintain their status. Through this accomplishment, a pediatric dentist has earned the title of Diplomate of the American Board Pediatric Dentistry.
Financial Policy
Your child’s smile can last a lifetime and quality dental care is an investment in their future.
We accept cash, checks, major credit cards and most insurance plans. CareCredit is available for making payment plans, which can be interest-free. You will be given a detailed, written estimate for recommended treatment. We have flexible payment options, and our financial coordinator is more than happy to assist your family to ensure your child receives the highest standard of care.
Insurance FAQs
Do we accept your PPO Dental Insurance? Yes!
However, we do not have contracted insurance fees with your dental insurance.
What does this mean?
We are not influenced by insurance companies and can treat your child conservatively and honestly.
If you have questions about your dental benefits, please call or email our office so we can help review your coverage at no additional cost. If you have Delta Dental, your coverage may look different depending on your plan. Many families in our office are able to utilize their Delta Dental benefits.
We also welcome you to schedule a complimentary office tour if you would like to meet Dr. Helen prior to becoming a patient. This can also help familiarize your little one to our office before the first check up!