St. Louis Dental Center Recognizes Children’s Dental Health Month

ST. LOUIS – In recognition of February as Children’s Dental Health Month, Dwight McLeod, DDS, MS, dean, A.T. Still University-Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-MOSDOH) at the St. Louis Dental Center, reminds the public that oral healthcare is key to overall health and wellbeing.

Healthy attitudes and habits are best to form at an early age. Importantly, parents can model good habits by brushing their teeth and encouraging toddlers to brush along. Tooth decay is the most common childhood chronic disease and cavities can occur in baby teeth. As soon as a child gets a first tooth, it is the appropriate time for a first visit to the dentist.

“We encourage parents to introduce dental care to young children, so they learn to understand that caring for their teeth helps them to be healthier,” said Avanija Reddy, DMD, MPH, specialty care unit director in pediatric dentistry at the St. Louis Dental Center. Dr. Reddy is fluent in Spanish, Hindi and Telugu.

Throughout the month of February, the St. Louis Dental Center, a partnership of ATSU-MOSDOH and Affinia Healthcare, is giving away special Tooth Fairy Care Packages! You and your family can celebrate National Tooth Fairy Day on February 28, 2019. An endearing tradition, the “Tooth Fairy” helps children cope with losing a tooth and makes oral healthcare fun.

“We welcome families to stop by the St. Louis Dental Center, where dentists, dental students, and staff provide positive patient experiences that will serve as a foundation for lifelong oral healthcare habits,” said Dr. McLeod.

Parents and children will discover a friendly patient care setting with vibrant, hand-painted wall murals to delight all. Parents will receive education about maintaining dental health through good oral hygiene and regular dental visits. The center is open Monday–Thursday, 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., and on Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. to pick up your Tooth Fairy Care Package.

The St. Louis Dental Center, 1500 Park Avenue in the Lafayette Square neighborhood, offers high quality, comprehensive, and affordable oral healthcare services for patients of all ages in a new, state-of-the-art 79,000-square-foot clinical training facility with 93 dental chairs. Dental care is provided for the St. Louis community by Affinia Healthcare dentists and staff and ATSU-MOSDOH faculty and dental students. To learn more about St. Louis Dental Center services and schedule an appointment, call 314.833.2700. Additional information is available at stldentalcenter.org or visit facebook.com/stldentalcenter.