Gastonia Pediatric Dentistry

Dr. Oscar Mvula (Dr. Oscar) – I earned my Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro, NC. Following college I attended dental school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed my training in Pediatric Dentistry at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center. I believe that providing the best dental visit experience to children is the foundation to great oral health!

Your staff seems very kid-friendly. Can you tell us about them?
Catherine Bartlett – Catherine is our Office Manager. She has been in the dental field since 2008 obtaining experience as a dental assistant, in the front office and in management. She has a heart for children and customer service and is certainly glad to be serving her community close to home!

Tonya Lane – Tonya is one of our Dental Assistants. She completed the Dental Assisting Program at CPCC in 2011 and has been in the pediatric field ever since. With a little bundle of joy of her own at home, Tonya is a natural with the children. Interacting with each child to create a FUN experience is what she feels makes her technique so special and makes all the difference in pediatric dentistry!

Brandi Scism – Brandi is another one of our Dental Assistants and also helps in the front office as needed. Teaching children about dental care is one of her passions. “With three boys of my own at home, I realize how important it is to make sure each child receives the praise and encouragement needed to ensure a successful visit to the dentist. I feel extremely blessed to be doing what I love.”

First and foremost we are here to make your child’s dental visit a FUN and pleasant one. Our staff strives to get to know these children and treat them as their own. We also encourage the parents to be present with their children in the clinic. Since the majority of our staff are parents, we know while it is important for the child to feel comfortable, it is just as important for the parents to feel comfortable with the treatment that we are providing to their most prized possessions…their babies! That is why we not only allow the parents in the clinical area, but we encourage it.

At your child’s first visit with us we will begin by introducing ourselves to your child and allow them to get a feel for us. We will review any medical history with you and also review your child’s home diet.  After we have established trust with them, we will invite you back to begin cleaning their teeth and take some pictures (x-rays) if necessary.  At that time the doctor will come in to count his/her teeth (doctor exam), and we will go over any exam findings and provide tips to help maintain and improve your child’s oral hygiene at home. Then the best part…at the end of the visit the child will get to pick a prize for being a great patient!

Baby teeth, also known as “primary teeth” are very important to your child’s health and development and should be taken care of just as you would your permanent teeth. Along with helping your child eat, they also aid in the development of your child’s facial features, and even play a role in the character of their voice. Another main role that primary teeth play is to maintain space in your child’s mouth until the permanent teeth are ready to come in, which usually takes place beginning at the age of six through sometimes even as late as age thirteen.

In order to prevent dental problems and establish a solid foundation for a lifetime of great oral health the AAPD (American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry) recommends your child should see a pediatric dentist when the first tooth appears, or no later than his/her first birthday.