Opening the doors to Amani Pediatric Dentistry has been everything Dr. Tony Machani hoped it would be—and then some. What surprised him most was how fulfilling it would be to create a place where families immediately feel welcome. Kids are confident climbing into the chair.
For Tony, the most rewarding moment is watching a patient arrive nervous and leave the office high-fiving with a smile.
“This is the practice I always wished existed,” says Tony. “Getting to run it and meet new families and kiddos in the community that trust us with their care feels like a privilege, and I don’t take it lightly.”
He believes the most underrated quality of a pediatric dentist is the ability to educate. It’s about identifying gaps in parents' understanding and providing information without making them feel judged for what they don’t know.
That philosophy recently made a life-changing difference with an infant frenectomy. A mother came to Amani exhausted due to breastfeeding struggles. After evaluating her child, Tony and his team identified a tongue tie, walked this mother through the procedure, and supported her decision to move forward while continuing to work with her lactation support.
“She came back weeks later and told me that nursing had completely changed. Her baby was latching and she wasn’t in pain anymore,” says Tony. “Her baby was thriving, and as a result, so was she. It was truly beautiful to see.”
Education extends beyond the office, as well. Tony loves going directly into the community, whether he’s visiting classrooms or attending local events. Those interactions create opportunities to connect with children about their oral health in a completely different way.
One especially meaningful experience came this spring when he participated in Career Day at Lago Vista Elementary, bringing back his own childhood memories of listening to adults share their professions.
“I got to talk about what I do and why I love it, but what I didn’t expect was how bright-eyed and bushy-tailed they were. Hearing kids talk about wanting to be storm chasers, veterinarians, teachers, and dentists, and realizing that I was in a role where I could encourage them and validate their long-term aspirations, was genuinely humbling,” says Tony. “The idea that showing up honestly might inspire even one of them is not something I take for granted.”
Schedule your child’s appointment at: amanipediatricdentistry.com