Dedicated to Treating Children Exclusively

The American Dental Association and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry both recommend bringing your child in by their first birthday, or within six months of when the first tooth appears — whichever comes first. Early visits help your dentist catch problems before they start and get your child comfortable in the chair. Establishing a “dental home” this young also lets us track development, teach you brushing techniques for baby teeth, and make future appointments feel routine rather than stressful. If your child is already older than one and hasn’t been seen yet, the best time to book is now — call our Montrose office at 970.240.8694 or request an appointment online.

A pediatric dentist completes two to three additional years of residency training after dental school, focused entirely on treating infants, children, teens, and patients with special needs. A family or general dentist treats patients of all ages without that specialty training. Pediatric residencies cover child behavior, growth and development, sedation for young patients, and care for kids with medical or developmental complexity. Our doctors are board-certified pediatric dentists, meaning they’ve passed advanced exams beyond residency. For anxious kids, extensive dental needs, or special-needs care, the extra training matters.

A first visit typically lasts 30 to 45 minutes and focuses on making your child comfortable more than doing major treatment. The dentist will count teeth, check bite and gum health, gently clean if age-appropriate, and talk with you about brushing, diet, and habits like thumb-sucking or bottle use. For very young children, parents often stay in the room and may hold the child in a knee-to-knee exam. You’ll leave with a personalized care plan and time for questions. If x-rays are needed, our team uses low-dose digital imaging designed for pediatric use.

Yes, our office treats teenagers as well as infants, toddlers, and school-age children. Pediatric dentists are trained to care for patients from birth through adolescence, and many teens continue seeing us until they transition to an adult dentist in their late teens or early twenties. Teens have their own concerns — wisdom teeth, sports injuries, orthodontic questions, and cavity-prevention habits during a stage when diet and hygiene routines often slip. Our team handles routine cleanings, sealants, sports mouth guards, and other services common for older kids and teens.

If a permanent tooth is knocked out, pick it up by the crown (not the root), gently rinse it with milk or saline if dirty, and try to place it back in the socket. If that’s not possible, store it in cold milk and call us immediately — reimplantation is most successful within 30 to 60 minutes. For a knocked-out baby tooth, do not attempt to reinsert it, since that can damage the developing permanent tooth underneath. Save any broken fragments in milk and bring them along. For dental emergencies in Montrose, call 970.240.8694 right away.

Pediatric dental sedation has a strong safety record when performed by trained providers using appropriate monitoring. Options range from nitrous oxide for mild anxiety to oral sedation or general anesthesia for more involved procedures, and each is matched to your child’s age, health history, and treatment needs. Our team follows AAPD sedation guidelines, which include a pre-sedation health review, continuous monitoring during the procedure, and clear recovery instructions. Before your child’s appointment, tell the dentist about all medications, allergies, and any breathing issues like asthma or sleep apnea so the safest sedation option — including nitrous oxide — is chosen.

Insurance acceptance can vary by plan and network, so we recommend calling our Montrose office directly at 970.240.8694 to confirm whether your specific Medicaid or CHP+ plan is accepted before your visit. In Colorado, both Health First Colorado (Medicaid) and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) include dental benefits for eligible kids and teens. Bring your child’s insurance card, member ID, and any referral paperwork to their first appointment so our front-desk team can verify coverage and explain any out-of-pocket costs. You can also review our financial policy online before booking.

We recommend calling our Montrose office at 970.240.8694 before your visit to confirm whether a Spanish-speaking team member will be available on your appointment day, since staffing can vary by day and location. If bilingual staff aren’t available, our team can help arrange translation support so you can ask questions and give informed consent comfortably. Bringing a trusted adult family member who speaks both languages is another option, especially for the first visit. Our new patient forms are available to download and complete at home ahead of time.

Yes, a mouth guard is strongly recommended for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports where falls and collisions can damage teeth. Dental trauma from ski slopes and terrain parks is a common cause of emergency visits in Western Colorado, especially among older kids and teens learning tricks or riding at higher speeds. Custom-fitted sports mouth guards from your pediatric dentist stay in place better than boil-and-bite versions from a sporting goods store, and they’re more comfortable for long days on the mountain. Have your child’s mouth guard checked yearly, since growing jaws and new teeth change the fit.

Pediatric Dental Specialists of Montrose is located at 1435 Hawk Pkwy Suite 101, Montrose, CO 81401. Call 970.240.8694 to schedule an appointment or ask questions about your child’s dental care. We also serve families across Western Colorado from our Grand Junction and Fruita offices. Our Montrose location is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Wednesday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and every other Friday from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. Board-certified pediatric dentists on staff treat infants through teens, including patients with special needs.