For many kids—and plenty of adults—a trip to the dentist can be a white-knuckled experience. Dr. James Chao saw that fear firsthand as an active-duty Navy dentist in Okinawa, where even the toughest little patients tensed up the moment they sat down. Serving families stationed overseas, he also witnessed how limited access to dental care could leave cavities untreated. When he returned home, he knew exactly what he wanted to create: a place where anxious kids could exhale, feel seen and maybe even have a little fun.
That vision became Liberty Pediatric Dentistry. A true family endeavor, the practice is run by Dr. James and his wife, Brandy, who serves as office manager. They parent twin three-year-olds at home and also run their business together.
To every little smile in the chair, he’s simply “Dr. James”—the guy who gets it.
“Bad dental experiences as children lead to dental anxiety as adults,” he shares. “I want a place patients can truly call home, where they walk in and feel like they belong.”
A big part of that is communication. Dr. James talks patients through every step using language they understand, reassuring them that he’s on their side.
One of the most meaningful extensions of that comfort-first philosophy is the sensory room—a space purpose-built for children who need a quieter, more predictable environment before entering a clinical setting.
“With the rise in the number of kids with autism, we see a growing need for people who are specially trained to attend to their needs,” he explains. “There are a lot of kids who may not necessarily be autistic but have hypersensitivity or sensory needs, too.”
The sensory room includes a couch, bean bag, whiteboard, magnets and a television—tools that distract and soothe. It also gives parents a safe place to prep their child, rehearse what will happen or simply relax together. And that’s when the magic happens.
“I can brush their teeth on the couch and talk to their parents at the same time, using neutral language,” Dr. James says. “Even kids without special healthcare needs love hanging out.”
And soon, kids will have another friendly face to greet them: Jingo, the Chao family’s golden retriever—currently training to become a therapy dog.
Dr. James recalls a memorable first visit with a ten-year-old with special needs who had never let anyone look in his mouth.
“He was very nervous,” Dr. James explains. “When he came in, he went straight to the sensory room, and we started playing.”
After 30 minutes of gentle work, the boy allowed “two to three teeth at a time,” eventually opening wide enough for a full exam.
“The second time he came back, he was so happy to see us,” he continues. “We weren’t a foreign place anymore. I pride myself on taking the extra time to meet their needs.”
That individualized care continues beyond the sensory room. Believing parents know their children best, Dr. James starts every visit by talking with families about their child. They review oral hygiene habits, nutrition and any existing issues, then take x-rays and intraoral photos so parents can see exactly what Dr. James sees. Whenever possible, he avoids sedation, using laughing gas instead. He also screens for sensitivities—scents, tactile triggers or self-injurious behaviors—to tailor the environment and ensure safety for everyone.
There are still cases, he notes, where a patient may benefit from sedation—an option he offers in-office or at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital where he completed his residency.
Kids leave with clean teeth, a toy from the treasure chest plus balloons. Future plans include hiring hygienists (Dr. James currently fills this role), adding more chairs, hosting a free dental day for kids who fall between insurance gaps and becoming an in-network TRICARE provider for military families.
For parents, the drive to great pediatric dental care just got a whole lot shorter—and a lot more joyful.
Liberty Pediatric Dentistry | 6770 Cincinnati Dayton Road, Suite 112, Liberty Township | 513.654.0205 | hello@libertypediatricdentistry.com | LibertyPediatricDentistry.com