What to Expect
Our practice is committed to providing you and your family with safe, gentle, high-quality pediatric dental care. We are sensitive to children's and parent's needs - maybe even anxiety - and it is our goal to help you and your child feel comfortable visiting our practice while providing the best care possible.
With our specialty training and continuing education, by focusing *only* on kids means we develop expertise unique to the pediatric dental profession. Our Practice Administrator is a MSW who has years of experience in mental health, particularly childhood trauma. She works with our team to provide truly child-focused care. We strive to establish a positive relationship that helps prevent cavities, oral accidents and is one you call upon when problems happen.
Pediatric dentists are specially trained in children's oral health, like pediatricians are specially trained physicians. Dr. Ledenyi, who is certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, provides prevention-oriented treatment plans that are conservative in nature but utilize the newest technologies and research for progressive care. While referrals often come from general/family dentists, this means that his recommendations may differ. Dr. Ledenyi will follow up with the referring doctor and coordinate efforts on your child's behalf. Sometimes children see a general/family dentist for hygiene appointments while coming to Dr. Ledenyi for treatment. Our goal is to get your child settled into the dental home that fits best for you and your child.
Some parents put off bringing their children to the dentist out of fear, perhaps bad memories or worry about how their child may behave. Our entire practice is set up for optimal relaxed experiences, from our bubbles, our gardens outside to our media and toy selections, child art and home-like, comfy atmosphere inside. We want parents to know that children are our specialty!
The earlier we get started and establish a dental home for your child that focuses on preventing problems, the more enjoyable and comfortable going to the dentist can be. Cavities can be prevented but parents need to know how. We understand that kids, especially as they are learning how to walk and run, often fall and injure their mouth. Even if your child's first dental visit is due to a painful cavity or trauma to their teeth, hopefully you will be comforted to know that Dr. Ledenyi has years of experience with just such circumstances and is very glad you are coming to us now.
During your child’s first comprehensive new patient visit, our pediatric dental team will review their unique dental and medical history and perform several assessments for your child, including:
- Development of their teeth and gums
- An oral cancer screening
- A Caries Risk Assessment for cavities.
- provide oral hygiene instructions including product selection
- nutritional counseling to optimize oral and whole-body health
- information on what growth and developmental changes to expect in the future to help you prepare
- tobacco counseling, if needed
- intra-oral camera pictures of your child's teeth and gums to assist in assessment, education and observation
- flossing, polishing and other prescribed procedures.
Dr. Ledenyi will:
- focus on your child's oral as well emotional health when visiting the dentist as we aim for a positive experience.
- determine the need for x-rays, fluoride or other supplements
- check the health of teeth and gums
- clean your child's teeth if they are due
- develop a treatment plan based on your child's unique diagnoses and circumstances and discuss options with you.
Dr. Ledenyi will evaluate the need for X-rays of their teeth before any x-rays are done. He will meet with you and your child to show you the intra-oral pictures and x-rays, discuss what he found. Using these, he will work with you to create an individualized treatment plan, and answer any questions that you may have. When he performs procedures, with his skill, speed and use of distraction, kids (and sometimes parents) are surprised they had their cleaning done!
Our goal is for you and your child to be relaxed and ready for our visit. We have private rooms with toys, books and comfortable furniture waiting for you. Be assured that parents are included in appointments and stay with their children.
*You will not be asked to remain in our waiting areas.*
We need parents involvement in all aspects of their child's dental health. No relationship or bond is more important than yours with your child so we will not ask to separate you from your child. Dr. Ledenyi maintains it is not developmentally appropriate to do so except for special cirucmstances where a child or teen may need, may request some private time with our pediatric dental team. In those situations, it may be to discuss issues related to emotional needs/fears, review important questions they may be uncomfortable with or don't yet know how to share with their parent. Our team will work with you and your child in a kind, comprehensive and professional manner to address sensitive oral health needs.