It’s a time-honored axiom that what comes around often goes around, and that’s certainly been the case for Norman pediatric dentist Amanda Ward, D.D.S.
When Ward was a child, she struggled with significant dental problems, and in her own words “spent a lot of time in the dentist’s chair.” She was treated by Donald Roberts, D.D.S., who founded Norman Pediatric Dentistry approximately 40 years ago.
In one of those unusual cases of life coming full circle, Ward—a graduate of the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry—purchased the practice from Roberts four years ago and is continuing his tradition of providing outstanding care.
As its name indicates, Norman Pediatric Dentistry treats children from infancy through young adulthood.
“We see them until they graduate from high school or decide they are too big for our chairs,” Ward said, laughing. Services provided include preventive dental care, including exams, cleanings, radiographs, sealants and fluoride treatments. They also do crowns, fillings and extractions, as well as provide emergency care for broken or chipped teeth.
Ward said her own dental issues during childhood led her to her chosen career.
“I was missing nine permanent teeth, so I got to see firsthand how great of an impact dentists had on me in helping me be confident in my smile,” Ward said. “In college I worked for a pediatric dentist. I loved how much fun I had at the office and how the pediatric dentist eased children’s fears and made appointments happy and fun. I knew I wanted to be that person for other children!”
Today, the biggest challenge in a child’s dental care happen because most families operate at a fast-paced lifestyle and there are inconsistencies in care.
“Parenting is hard, including when it comes to teaching proper dental care,” Ward said. “Brushing with fluoride toothpaste twice a day and flossing once a day might not happen regularly. But these are the basics that can really help prevent tooth decay. Another huge factor is avoiding constant snacking and drinking sugary drinks. In the on-the-go rush of daily life, it’s easy to fall into the habit of eating snacks that are more likely to cause decay, such as crackers, chips and cereal.”
Ideally, parents should begin taking their child for regular check-ups within six months after he or she cuts their first teeth, and the practice team are experienced in making these initial visits fun and interactive, setting a tone for future dental visits.
“Thankfully, people are becoming more and more aware of the importance of taking care of baby teeth,” Ward observed. “They not only allow your child to eat properly, but are the space holders for permanent teeth. It’s important that these teeth are maintained for your child’s overall oral health.”
Information about Norman Pediatric Dentistry is available by calling 256.2821, emailing info@normanpediatricdenistry.com, or visiting NormanPediatricDentistry.com. The practice is located at 1001 24th Ave. NW in Norman. Hours are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday; the office is closed on Wednesdays and Fridays. The website offers a full breakdown of treatments and services, testimonials, staff bios and informative blogs on dental health, how to deal with emergencies and other helpful information.
Practice team members are also involved in giving back to the community through their contributions to the J.D. McCarty Center for Children with Developmental Disabilities, Cavity Connections, the Susan G. Komen Foundation, and World Vision, among others.
Above all, Ward stressed, she and her team are concerned with her patients’ overall health, not just their oral health.
“Many children have unhealthy mouths,” she said. “Unhealthy mouths lead to unhealthy children, pain and infection. We know that routine preventive dental care visits that emphasize overall health for your child will prevent these devastating consequences and result in healthy children with healthy smiles. That is why we are here.”
These 5 Steps can Protect Your Child’s Teeth
Amanda Ward, D.D.S., owner of Norman Pediatric Dentistry, offers the following five simple steps to help protect your child’s teeth:
1) Brush the child’s teeth at least twice a day.
2) Floss once a day.
3) Limit snacks between meals.
4) Drink only water or sugar-free drinks between meals.
5) See your pediatric dentist every six months for check-ups.