Times of the Islands

TREEHOUSE CHILDREN’S DENTISTRY

Bonita Springs office makes dental visits fun, easy scheduling

- BY KLAUDIA BALOGH Klaudia Balogh is an Editorial Assistant for TOTI Media.

Fun isn’t usually what comes to mind with pediatric dentistry. It’s rather the picture of a child trying to squirm free even before the dentist says, "Say ahh." But add a few wildlife animal characters, some whimsical trees, lots of toys and paint a jungle that looks straight out of a children’s book, and you’ve just stepped foot into Treehouse Children’s Dentistry.

The pediatric dentistry in Bonita Springs opened its doors in December 2013, and it goes the extra mile to ensure that kids will have a positive experience with the dentist early on in their lives. The little green and pink chairs surroundin­g a blue table, a large plastic elephant roasting marshmallo­ws over the campfire, video games and movies, create a setting where children will be happy to return.

Stephanie Sullivan, Treehouse marketing director, says the illusion that the dentist and dental offices are places to be feared needs to change. “This misconcept­ion has perpetuate­d for too long,” she says. “And we see daily the devastatin­g effect it can have if allowed to continue.”

Jennifer P, an Estero blogger on Yelp, wrote about her 3-yearold daughter’s first dental visit to Treehouse, noting a friendly staff and comforting environmen­t. “They even put her favorite TV show on while they cleaned her teeth," she wrote. “Our experience was just perfect, couldn’t have made her or me more comfortabl­e with the process.”

The dentistry specialize­s in patients from as young as toddlers to as old as teenagers, including children with special needs, providing dental services and orthodonti­cs six days a week. Keeping in mind working parents and school kids, the dentist’s office opens early and closes late, allowing parents more options to schedule an appointmen­t.

Sullivan says they encourage parents to bring their children a few days early for a visit or arrive well ahead of time in order for the kids to become familiar with the atmosphere. “At Treehouse, we proceed at the child’s pace and each little patient is treated with the same care we would provide to a member of our own family," Sullivan says. She notes that they also encourage parents not to make a “big deal” about the dentist visit and perhaps read the child an encouragin­g story about going to the dentist.

Besides scheduled annual checkups and braces, dentists are also ready to welcome children with emergencie­s.

Yelp blogger KM A. from Naples wrote about her emergency experience with Treehouse when her 6-year-old son had a molar issue, saying: “I called with an emergency, and they got me in the next day. They were able to see him and even extracted it the same day without a second thought. The girls were so caring and attentive to my son, making sure he was comfortabl­e and relaxed.”

Our experience was just perfect, couldn’t have made her or me more comfortabl­e with the process.” —JENNIFER P, ESTERO BLOGGER

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