Growing Smiles is Creating a Growing Number of Smiles

Growing-smiles-1A huge fear for many is going to the dentist. I confess that I have this fear myself. The dentists, hygienists and oral surgeons that I have dealt with are great as people, but it’s the experience that I dislike. A doctor can be top-notch in skill and have the ability to fix all sorts of problems that arise, but if the patient doesn’t feel respected or safe, then all of that goes out the window.

One doctor really understands this. Dr. Carisse Corns, owner of Growing Smiles Pediatric Dentistry in Valpo does her best to make sure that the experience for her little patients is great from the very beginning.

“I want kids to have a great dental experience and that needs to happen early on,” Corns said. “We can give them the skills and the knowledge as well as their parents to give them a lifetime of healthy smiles.”

Some of the things that can put kids off at the dentist office are all of the weird looking pieces of equipment that one can find. X-ray machines, bright lights that shine in your mouth, rubber gloves that taste gross when the dentist has to poke and prod at your teeth, and who even knows the names and uses of all the little metal instruments that are use used by a dentist.

Growing-smiles-2“We have x-ray machines and other equipment that are small enough for kids so that they won’t be uncomfortable,” Dr. Corns said. “And when we have children in for appointments I explain everything that I am doing in ways that they will understand so they won’t feel confused.”

Children are receptive little sponges. Ever notice how you love something now like a movie or a certain smell or sound because you had a great experience with it as a child? The same concept applies in many aspects, including doctors’ visits.

“We use terms that are kids friendly,” Dr. Corns said. “We don’t say needle or shot and we never let the kids see those instruments. It’s all about tell, show, do. We tell them what we are doing, show them certain instruments, and then do the procedure. For example: if we have to do a filling we’ll say ‘We’re going to use the bumper car to clean out the filling so it’s going to feel a little bumpy.’ Kids understand what adults are doing, we just have to get to their level for the best communication.”

And when you look around Growing Smiles you don’t feel like you’re in a dentist office. There are TVs in the ceiling, videogames, books, toys; lots of things to keep kids entertained. And it’s so clean and colorful. I was taken aback by how pretty and sweet the space was, it was a reflection of Dr. Corns.

“We want this to be an inviting atmosphere for the kids,” Dr. Corns said.

rot2Pediatric dentistry was a natural fit for Dr. Corns as she wanted to be a dentist and she loved working with kids. She took extra schooling in order to specialize in pediatric dentistry and came to Valpo. She felt a strong desire to make things work a certain way and so she opened her own business within walking distance of the Valparaiso YMCA.

Kids bring certain experiences that you will never get with anything or anyone else. Dr. Corns said that she has many great memories that her little patients have given her.

“We had one little girl who was very fearful when she came in. She had a bad experience elsewhere but we were able to calm her down and by the end of the visit she was giving us hugs,” Dr. Corns said with a smile. “We like to see our patient excited about coming back to see us… Another thing that’s great is our No Cavity Wall. Kids who don’t have any cavities get to write their name on our wall and we try to take their pictures.”

Have you ever hugged your dentist after a checkup? I have not. Perhaps Growing Smiles is on to something.

All kids are welcome from ages 1 to 18. Parents seem to like Growing Smiles, too. They are allowed to come and be part of the experience and helps keep their kids relaxed. It relaxes the parents, too.

So if you are looking for a place to bring your children for a dental checkup that will give you and your children a good experience, come to Growing Smiles. The name says it all.