My daughter is 22 months old and attached to her pacifier. She barely opens her mouth for me to brush her teeth. Needless to say, I wasn’t looking forward to her first dental checkup. I was actually pretty panicked about it, figuring it would be traumatic for both of us.
To my surprise and relief, it couldn’t have gone smoother thanks to the amazingly friendly staff at Pediatric Smiles! Dr. Francois and his dental assistant Jessica were so kind and patient. After some initial mean mugging, Anna warmed up to them very quickly and was a champ during the “knee to knee” checkup. They let me hold her knee to knee with Dr. Francois so she felt comfortable and sat still. She was a big fan of their stuffed animal dino and got a kick of out of brushing his teeth. It was a great trick to make her feel comfortable and teach her about brushing.
After Anna’s checkup, Dr. Francois sat down with me for a little Q&A so we can get to know him better and share his tips for good dental health for your kiddos.
KCMB: Pediatric Smiles is a fairly new practice, tell us a little bit about how you got here and how you started your own business?
We opened our doors in October 2017 after over a year of planning. I worked as an associate dentist at another practice in the Northland for five years and then transitioned to Children’s Mercy Hospital as an attending faculty member. My wife and I are proud residents of Liberty and always wanted to start our own practice serving the community in which we live.
KCMB: I can tell Pediatric Smiles is different than a lot of big dental offices, what makes it unique?
Pediatric Smiles is a family-owned practice with a focus on patient care and education. We want to remind parents of a dentist office from their own childhood, where the most important relationships we have are with our patients and their families. At your child’s appointment, we want to take the time to get to know you and your family. At every visit, you will have dedicated time with Dr. Francois. Having access to the same dentist at every visit means you’ll receive consistent care from someone who knows your child and their history.
KCMB: I really appreciated the one-on-one attention you showed us and how you gave Anna time to warm up. How do you make parents and kids feel at ease if they are afraid or apprehensive about a visit to the dentist?We have different tools and techniques we use depending on the age and needs of the child to make everyone feel at home and comfortable. Communication is the best tool! Also, taking our time to let everyone feel comfortable. You won’t feel rushed at our office.
KCMB: What are some easy tips parents can help encourage dental health in their children?
Parents can follow the 2-2-2 rule. Visit your dentist two times a year and brush two times a day for two minutes. Parents should also help their children brush until age 9. Encouraging healthy snacking and staying away from sugary beverages also helps!
KCMB: Is it necessary to see a pediatric dentist or can my child just see who I do?
Pediatric dental offices are geared to serve the unique needs of children, just like your pediatrician’s office. While it is not necessary for your child to see a pediatric dentist, we would encourage you to make sure that whatever dentist you see makes your child feel comfortable. Positive dental experiences during childhood encourage kids to continue to visit the dentist well into adulthood.
KCMB: Working with kids all day must be hard sometimes…are there any special tools or tricks you use to give children a positive experience at your office?
Kids are actually pretty easy to work with all day long! At a regular job, I couldn’t be silly or goofy, but with kids, I get to spend my days laughing and playing. I am very lucky to do what I do. At our office, we listen to each child and their concerns and fears, and help parents understand dental procedures. All of these tools help everyone have a great time at the dentist!
Pediatric Smiles Dentistry is a brand new, state of the art Kansas City area pediatric dental office. Located in in the Northland, at the crossroads of Interstate I-35 and Highway 152, we are excited to serve Liberty, Kearney, Smithville, North Kansas City and beyond.
Our main goal is for our patients to develop trust and confidence as well as gain the education they need to have a lifetime of happy smiles. We want our patients and their parents to feel welcome in our office as they are part of our Pediatric Smiles family.
Laura is a wife and mom to 2 boys who have taught her more about trains, construction vehicles and baseball than she ever thought possible….and a daughter who has given her an excuse to go crazy shopping for all things girly! She is born and raised in Kansas City and a graduate of KU. Rock Chalk Jayhawk! She loves big Italian family dinners, trying out the latest new restaurant in town on a rare date night with her husband of 10 years, and can never say no to an impromptu dance party with her kids.
