Pediatric dentistry is the specialty of dentistry that focuses on the oral health of infants, children, and adolescents.  After completing a four-year dental school curriculum, two to three additional years of rigorous training are required to become a pediatric dentist.  This specialized program of study and hands-on experience prepares pediatric dentists to meet the needs of infants, children and adolescents, including persons with special health care needs.

At Mid-Michigan Pediatric Dentistry, we are concerned about your child’s complete health care.  Good oral health is an important part of total health.  Establishing our office as your child’s “dental home” provides our pediatric dentists the opportunity to implement preventive dental health habits that keep your child free from dental/oral disease.  We focus on prevention, early detection and treatment of dental diseases, and keep current on the latest advances in dentistry for children.

Pleasant visits to the dental office promote the establishment of trust and confidence in your child that will last a lifetime.  Our goal, along with our staff, is to help all children feel good about visiting the dentist and teach them how to care for their teeth.  From our special office designs to our communication style, our main concern is what is best for your child.

Four things are necessary for cavities to form: 1) a tooth; 2) bacteria; 3) sugars or other carbohydrates; and 4) time.  At Mid-Michigan Pediatric Dentistry, we can share with you how to make teeth strong, keep bacteria from organizing into harmful colonies, develop healthy eating habits, and understand the role that time plays. Visiting our office early can help avoid unnecessary cavities and dental treatment.

The pediatric dental community is continually doing research to develop new techniques for preventing dental decay and other forms of oral disease.  Studies show that children with poor oral health have decreased school performance, poor social relationships and less success later in life.  Children experiencing pain from decayed teeth are distracted and unable to concentrate on schoolwork.

Infants and Children

Getting an early start in regular dental care is an important step on the road to teaching your child healthy lifetime habits.  At Mid-Michigan Pediatric Dentistry, we want to share with you the latest available methods for keeping your child healthy and safe.

The first dental visit should occur within 6 months of the first tooth eruption, and no later than your child’s first birthday.  Beginning tooth and mouth examinations early may lead to detection of early stages of tooth decay that can be easily treated.

Adolescents

Adolescents have special needs.  Appearance and self-image are very important to them.  Decayed or poorly positioned teeth or jaws might make them more self-conscious.  Teens also eat frequently, and unhealthy snack foods tend to become a major part of their regular diet.  At Mid-Michigan Pediatric Dentistry, we provide a professional, sensitive and caring approach to restoring and guiding teeth, and teaching preventive dental health care through your teen’s high school years.  When necessary, we will provide information on sealants, oral piercing, wisdom teeth, missing teeth, and tobacco use.

Special Needs

An integral part of our education is concerned with the medical and dental health of our special patient.  People with significant medical, physical, or mental disabilities often present challenges to dentists.  At Mid-Michigan Pediatric Dentistry, our pediatric dental training and experience allows us to address special needs and provide the best care possible.

Team Approach to Total Health

Good oral health is an important part of total health. When helping children, we often work with pediatricians, other physicians and dental specialists. All young people are served best through this team approach. We, the pediatric dentists, are an important part of your child’s health team.

ABPD and AAPD

Dr. Sushynski is certified as a Diplomat of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.  This means that his knowledge and treatment results have been closely examined for excellence by the Board.  Board Certification is your assurance that your children receive the best care available.

Our pediatric dentists are also members of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), the not-for-profit membership organization representing the specialty of pediatric dentistry since 1947.  As advocates for children’s oral health, the AAPD develops and promotes evidence-based policies and guidelines, fosters research, contributes to scholarly work concerning Pediatric oral health, and educates health care providers, policymakers and the public on ways to improve children’s oral health.  For further information, please visit the AAPD Web site at www.aapd.org .