Pediatric Dentistry - Children's Village

Children's Village Pediatric Dentistry is open to all children in the Yakima Valley.

The Children’s Village Pediatric Dentistry team has extensive experience working with children with special needs, behavioral concerns and dental fears. Our dental team has two board-certified pediatric dentists, one dental hygienist and six dental assistants, all of whom are adept at customizing your child’s dental experience to his/her unique needs. Children’s Village Pediatric Dentistry offers comprehensive pediatric dental services, including:

Preventive care (exams, cleanings, fluoride and sealants).
Restorative care (fillings and crowns).
Nitrous oxide (laughing gas).
Sedation.
General anesthesia (at Children’s Village and at MultiCare Yakima Memorial).

In addition to the standard pediatric dental services available, Children’s Village Pediatric Dentistry offers specialized services designed to accommodate children with special needs, like:

Desensitization visits to help children who are apprehensive about the dentist, with tours of the dental office and opportunities to practice visiting the dentist without pressure.
A sensory-adapted dental environment that modifies the standard dental environment for children with sensory sensitivities.
A social story to help prepare children for visiting the dentist.
Nasoalveolar molding to help to prepare infants with cleft lip and palate for surgery.
Children’s Village dentists serve on the Central Washington Cleft Lip and Palate Team and provide dental services to children with cleft lip and palate.
Laser treatment of infant tongue and lip ties in conjunction with lactation consultants, public health nurses and the Children’s Village Feeding Team.

Children’s Village Pediatric Dentistry works to tailor dental experiences to meet every child and family’s unique needs and goals and to prepare all children for a lifetime of oral health. To schedule an appointment, call 509-574-3200.

The first dental visit

Jessica Webb, DDS, MSD, MA, MSRT, CTRS
Jessica is a pediatric dentist at Children’s Village and the Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic

Dental caries, commonly called tooth decay, is the most common chronic disease in children. It is five times as common as asthma! Since tooth decay is largely preventable, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Dental Association all recommend that children have their first dental visit by their first birthday, so that cavities can be prevented and children can avoid the need for dental treatment, dental pain and dental infection.

Some parents are nervous about taking their kids to the dentist so young because they don’t think they will be able to cooperate. Not to worry! We don’t expect little ones to hop up in the dental chair and sit for a dental exam like an adult. Pediatric dentists are dentists who have completed two to three years of additional training and clinical practice after dental school, specifically to treat children. This includes knowledge of preventing dental disease in children, child development and behavior, caring for very young children, and caring for children with special needs, so we are very comfortable doing dental exams on little ones.

During dental exams for infants and toddlers, typically your kiddo will stay with you on your lap and the dentist will lay them back onto your lap so we can brush their teeth and see inside their mouths. The great thing about this position is your child can see you the whole time. It is completely normal for kids to fuss a bit since it is a different position and there is a new person in their space, but the exam is relatively quick and kids typically settle right down when it is over. During the exam the dentist will brush your child’s teeth and show you how to do the same at home, examine the mouth and any teeth that are present, and place fluoride varnish to strengthen the outside layer of the tooth, which is effective in helping to prevent cavities.

Taking a child to the dentist early not only helps to prevent cavities, but it helps kids become accustomed to going to the dentist at an early age so that it will be a positive experience for them as they grow up. It establishes a “dental home” so that if there is ever a dental concern or emergency, you have a pediatric dentist to call, and it gives the dentist an opportunity to provide you with recommendations for home care and developing healthy habits. The pediatric dentist can answer all of your questions about preventing cavities, thumb sucking and pacifiers, teething, and much more!

If you have a concern about your child’s development, talk to your primary care physician about a referral or start by taking this simple online developmental screening. You can also call Children’s Village at 509-574-3200 or 800-745-1077.