Pediatric dentists are dental specialists who complete residency training after finishing dental school. As one of the recognized specialties of the American Dental Association, this additional training focuses on the age-appropriate treatment of children from infancy to the late teenage years, including those who are medically compromised or have special health care needs. You can think of us as a "dental pediatrician" whose mission is to deliver dental care for children of all ages, but especially for the ones who may be very scared or anxious and need something extra to help them get through their visits.

Pediatric dentists are well-versed in: child psychology, advanced behavior management, facial growth & development, nutrition, diagnosis and prevention of tooth decay, phase-I (interceptive) orthodontics, managing dental trauma, pediatric dental sedation, and hospital dentistry.

In addition, pediatric dentists who are board-certified have passed further voluntary exams to demonstrate their specialized knowledge and skill. Pediatric dentists who obtain board-certification become Diplomates of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.   

Did you know that dental caries (tooth decay) is one of the most common chronic illnesses affecting children all over the world? It is a transmissible, infectious disease that also happens to be largely preventable!

Similar to how children see the pediatrician for well-checks and assessment of developmental milestones, it is important to establish a “dental home” for your child. A “dental home” is an ongoing relationship between the dentist and the patient that promotes continuous and comprehensive oral health care. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, children who have a dental home are more likely to receive appropriate preventive and routine oral health care.

At Han Pediatric Dentistry, we will work with you and your child by applying the latest scientific evidence in preventing oral disease and treating it when necessary. We will explain preventative care, oral hygiene instructions, and any needed treatment in simple, easy terms. Your child will feel good about going to the dentist in a safe and comfortable environment.

Both the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommend for children to have their first dental visit after their first tooth erupts, but no later than age one. If your child is older but has still not seen a dentist, that is OK and we are here to help!

Primary teeth (baby teeth) are very important in maintaining your child’s overall health and quality of life. Untreated oral diseases such as tooth decay and gum disease will cause problems that can also damage the developing permanent teeth. Though the first baby teeth (in front) usually shed around age 6-7, the rest may not fall out until your child is a teenager.

Diseased baby teeth that are not treated could lead to:

No. Though some patients might be referred to us by their pediatrician or family/general dentist, a referral is not required. You are welcome to contact us anytime to schedule an appointment.  

Our goal is to make the first visit as pleasant as possible both for you and your child. We realize that every patient is unique and that not everyone has the same dental needs. If your child is old enough, you can let him/her know about the upcoming visit and that the dentist and staff will answer any questions. However, the fewer specifics your child is told, the better.

Examples: 

If your child has any special needs, please make sure to let us know when you make your appointment so that we can set aside enough time to address all your concerns and needs.

In a nutshell, we cannot diagnose what we cannot see. Dental radiographs (X-rays) are a critical diagnostic tool that shows us what we cannot see with our eyes or feel with our instruments. For example, we cannot see between teeth that are touching or into the jaw bone.

Example X-ray of a child showing a deep cavity that has infected the tooth pulp.  

Developing permanent teeth are also visible.

Besides helping us find cavities that might not be visible to the eye, X-rays are critical in helping us assess: 

At Han Pediatric Dentistry, we are cognizant of any concerns you may have regarding X-ray radiation. We assure you that we will take utmost precaution to minimize your child’s exposure. This is accomplished with low-dose, high resolution digital X-ray technology that uses 90% less radiation compared to older generation film X-rays used in the past.

X-rays are taken on based on your child’s individual diagnosis and risk factors for disease. In general, the lower the risk factors, the less frequently they will need to be updated.

Infants and toddlers (under age 3):

Children age 3 and older:

Nitrous oxide (N2O, or laughing gas) is a safe, adjustable, rapid-onset, and reversible inhaled agent used to reduce anxiety. Delivered through a nose mask, it naturally smells sweet and allows a patient who is nervous feel more relaxed. This allows better communication between the doctor and patient during a procedure. It is also very useful in suppressing a sensitive gag reflex. N2O is not meant to make your child fall asleep, but keep them awake in a very calm state in which they can still communicate.

While many children can tolerate dental checkups and procedures very well, there are some who require sedation in order for quality dental care to be delivered safely and comfortably. Patients who need dental treatment under sedation may have:

Based on your child’s age, medical history, dental diagnosis and overall treatment needs, Dr. Han will work with you to deliver safe and quality dental care. This may be in the form of:

In general:

For treatment visits (fillings, extractions, etc):