Ah, the dentist.
Everyone seems to have an opinion on the dentist. Maybe you love yours and you have a pleasant, happy experience every time you go. Maybe you have not been in 10 or more years because either you dread the dentist or you just don’t have the time or insurance. Or maybe you go as often as you are supposed to go, but you’re terrified at every single visit.
I am, unfortunately, in that last category.
My mother, who I love more than anything, was given terrible advice by the dentist when I was a child. I had to have a major procedure done at the age 5 or 6. So they told her, “don’t say anything to your daughter, just bring her in and we will go from there”. I remember the brown chairs, the shaggy old rug, and the dental assistant who walked into the waiting room and said “So, who’s getting some teeth pulled today?” I had no idea — it was me. I remember laying down in the plastic brown exam chair, still completely clueless, the gas mask going over my face, and seeing my mom crying in the corner of the room (at which point they made her leave). The next thing I know, I am being woken up and offered a Popsicle. And I was missing FOUR FRONT TEETH.
Needless to say, it was quite an awesome look.
And it left me terrified of the dentist. I go to the dentist every 6 months, just like I should, but I dread every visit. I sit in the chair during my cleaning, completely tensed up. During a cleaning. And if I need a filling, oh my goodness, that’s a nightmare in and of itself. While I have an incredible dentist who is great at helping me through the whole procedure, I feel like I take 10 years off his life every time he does a filling!
So when it came time for my boy’s first visit to the dentist, I wanted to do EVERYTHING I could to ensure he never developed a fear like mine.
And I found the best dentist for that: Smiles in Bloom .
Many local parents probably already use this office. However, I know that it is a common question asked online: Who do you recommend for a pediatric dentist? And I’m here to tell you, without a doubt, I recommend Smiles in Bloom in East Windsor.
We’ve now had two checkups/cleanings, as well as an urgent visit (because someone fell and gave himself a frenectomy, ouch!). So I have had experience with the hygienist, Dr. Bloom and his assistant, as well as the office staff, and everyone there is friendly, helpful and really great with my son.
Smiles in Bloom is located in East Windsor, right near the entrance to I-91, Exit 45.
It’s actually located right next to Wayback Burgers so if you plan that visit wisely, you can all enjoy a burger and a milkshake after the visit!
The office is very warm and welcoming right when you walk in the doors. Yellows, greens and blues paint the walls throughout the whole place. Actually, that’s something I love about this office. Everything about it is just cheery and happy, and it does NOT feel like the miserable, brown dentist office I got to experience as a child.
They have a great waiting room, with fun colored chairs, bean bags, and a big screen television with cartoons playing.
But honestly, that doesn’t matter to my child because they have a train table. From the moment we walked in the door on our very first visit, I knew they had won my child over! He actually cries when we leave the dentist because he has to say goodbye to the choo-choos.
However, we are at the dentist for a reason!
When you first enter the exam area, you’ll find a big open room with three chairs for checkups and cleanings. This was actually interesting and surprising to me. I’m so used to being in a little cubby with my dentist or hygienist while they do their work, so this open layout was different. But I guess this is pretty standard in pediatric dental offices. And honestly, after our second visit, I kind of like this layout. It’s more welcoming and open, and you feel less trapped! (They do also have several private rooms- we actually were in one of those rooms when we saw the dentist for the urgent visit.)
I really like that they have chairs for the parents right next to the examination chair.
Above each chair, they also have mounted televisions so your child can either watch a movie or play videogames. We’ve had the chance to watch Thomas (of course) and Curious George!
For this visit, my son was getting a cleaning. They provided sunglasses to help keep the bright light out of his eyes. I was also able to grab a train from their train table so he could hold on to it for comfort during the exam. Because let’s face it, he’s two. He will cry no matter what because someone is touching his teeth! But they make it as quick and easy as possible, while doing a really thorough job. His hygienist was super patient with him, but she also made sure to get her job done. And I appreciate that. I know sometimes when you deal with a crying child, you want to rush through your task and just get it over with, but they are great with working with little ones. They have some fantastic methods to get those teeth cleaned and polished! They also offer lap exams if your child really cannot tolerate laying on the exam chair (we actually had to do that for his urgent visit and it really worked great!).
The exam was quick. He got a great bill of health- his baby teeth are all in and they all look good! He cried, naturally, and he wanted to get up the whole time, but we survived. As soon as she was done, he looked at me and said, “choo choo train?” And all was right in his world.
It really makes all the difference in the world when you find a really great dentist. I want my child to not only develop great dental habits as he gets older, but I also want to make sure he does not develop the fear I have. Going to Smiles in Bloom is proving to be the best way to ensure that. I honestly love this office and I am so glad we went with them.
So if you are either looking to schedule your child’s first dentist appointment or you want to switch dentists, check this place out. You will be really happy you did!
This about sums it up…
137 Prospect Hill Road – East Windsor
(860) 254-5840
Hours:
Mondays: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Tuesdays: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wednesdays: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thursdays: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Fridays: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Things to Note:
- There is a bathroom on site with a changing table and child size sink/toilet!
- Urgent, same day appointments are available
- Insurance accepted- please contact the office to verify which plans are accepted
- Televisions/video games available for use during procedures/examinations
- Lap Exams available for younger children
- Train table in waiting room!
