Pediatric Dentists in Fort Wayne, IN

Dr Druley in grabill

I love Dr. Derrow at Auburn Pediatric Dentistry. We always do fluoride, but you could call the office and ask about it!

Stetzel dental group...off of Dupont Rd. We have been fluoride free for about 3 years. I don't get looks and they don't push it, I just look at them every 6 months and say...no fluoride for any of us.

I don't have children, but my husband and I go to Herber Family Dentistry and they know we don't use fluoride and don't give us a problem over it. X-rays are only as needed and they are super quick so as little exposure as possible. Last time I needed them as I had a small cavity on my back molar. First cavity I've had in probably over 15 years.

Again, I love Dr. Derrow for pediatric patients and special needs kids. One of my friends doesn't do fluoride and goes to her and never defied her request for no fluoride. I have a special needs child and they were amazing!

Dr Caroline Derrow!! I've been to most of the above mentioned with our special kiddo. Met Dr. D when she was in her internship at Riley. She is intuitive, sensitive and listens. She has always respected my wishes and is nothing short of a godsend.

I went to Dr Derrow and she put fluoride on my kids teeth after I specifically told her not to.

Summit Dental, southwest. Loooooove them!!

http://fluoridealert.org/articles/50-reasons/ some of the reasons why we dont use fluoride.

Amy Mason, we use toothpaste with flouride but two of my kids developed fluorosis within hours of their dental fluoride treatments and I decided no more. And don't even get me started on putting fluoride in the water when there is ZERO evidence that INGESTING the stuff does anything for teeth. If anything it has been shown to be a toxic substance and it says right there on the toothpaste tube not to swallow it. Here is more info on fluorosis: http://fluoridealert.org/issues/fluorosis/

Don't go to a pediatric dentist. We use a family dentist, Dr Druley in Grabill. She has seen my kids as young as 11 months.

http://www.auburnkidsdentist.com/ She’s wonderful and so is everyone that works there!

Dr. Blake at Blake Aesthetics is amazing. Not specifically a pediatric dentist, but he's awesome with my girls. 8, 5, and 2. My youngest has been around him since she was born. The staff is amazing too.

I have to say I dont like Auburn Pediatrics at all we had a horrible experience with my oldest. I cant imagine taking a baby or toddler to her. Dr. Derrow and staff were very uncaring and cold. We took our 2 year old to Pediatric Dental Associates in Fort Wayne in October and she had a lot of work done that we knew needed done. The Dentist and staff was great with her got us in the next week to get work done under general anesthesia. Dr. Hobbs and his staff called us several times over the next few days to check on her.

Stay away from Pediatric Dental Associates PDA (Dr. Andrew Hobb) on West Jefferson Blvd.

We have taken Ayanna to Ueber & Friedrich and they have been great!

I had a daughter that was born with a neonatal tooth that had to be pulled and Small Smiles on the southeast side of town was excellent with her.

We see Dr Wright and Dr Creech at FW Dental Group on Engle Rd

My boys have always had very good experiences there and while they do recommend fluoride, I never felt disrespected when I told them we didn't use fluoride. I thought he was good with the kids, and that he explained things well. My oldest has never had any problems with his teeth, but my middle child has had cavities big time. His teeth are all very close together.... He had a cavity filled a couple years ago and then a few months ago they diagnosed him with 10 cavities. I talked with my dentist about Dr. Olinger's desire to fill all 10 and he said it probably needed done as Dr. Olinger is normally pretty conservative when it comes to procedures. He went in for a few fillings and they said a couple of them need crowns! It's been very disappointing for me.... Did your son end up getting his cavity filled somewhere else?

Yep..I've read up on it. We have FCLO and butter oil, and I have doubled up on his CLO for the past few months. I appreciate some of the weston price advice... I don't mind adding things like that into our diet, but some things are just too extreme for us. I'm not willing to cut out all grains and live on organ meats, vegetables, and oil. There was a time when I tried to soak my grains and was more obsessive with things, but it just got to be too much for me. We eat grassfed meats and drink raw dairy, and eat minimally processed foods most of the time, which is why I was shocked by all the cavities. The only thing I can think of is that we haven't always been very disciplined with oral care. We've actually gone a new direction with our dental hygiene... Seems many people have had success with this route... http://www.drellie.com/Ellie-Phillips-My-Recommendations.php

Auburn Pediatric Dentistry Dr. Caroline Derrow is the best! Worth the 20 min drive to Auburn. They have all things tailored to kids and her staff is great. Under the sea theme, rock star sun glasses, flavored gloves and paste... My kids love her!

Lyndsey Gillespie, her office is just behind Italian Grille so you can make a day of it!

We saw Dr. Derrow a few times and she is great with kids but my son has some fairly serious dental issues and she blamed it ALL on breastfeeding. She also told me our only option for addressing his problems was $10,000 worth of surgery. We have since gotten a second opinion and this is not the case.

My kids have always seen our family dentist Dr. Dan Schmidt. We love him. Had a very difficult time getting some repairs done for my very stubborn 7 year old. After two attempts I was ready to strap her down. Dr. Dan sent us to Dr. Hobbs near Lutheran ad we also had a great experience. After two attempts he got it done. Spoke to Jozie as a young person. We did not go with her, but were able to watch without her knowing. Kids can be very difficult. Sometimes restraint and/or separation from parents are needed. I am convinced her issue was control not fear.

Lyndsey...that is the Caroline I couldn't remember her last name that I mentioned in our other group. I worked on the cleft lip and palate team with her. She is incredibly nice! I take my kids to Dr. Bokel. He has no problem with kids sitting in my lap and has been my dentist as long as I can remember.

Thank you everyone! We went to Dr. Bokel today. The entire staff was AMAZING with her! And after we had gotten out our wallet to pay, she said she wasn't even charging us because she didn't sit still well enough for a full cleaning or an exam. (Even though they spent at least half an hour with her, got a very good look at her teeth and told me everything we needed to know about them!) She didn't really get a cleaning, but we would have been more than happy with a discount. Instead it was FREE. Highly recommend Dr. Bokel!

Drs Krider and Trok have a mercury free office--I started with them many years ago when my youngest was 9. they are gentle and patient.

Dr Druley in grabill has done extractions on 2 of my kids at age 2

Angola Dental Center in Angola. Dr. Moore and Dr. Brown are great with kids. My oldest had 2 teeth pulled last year there per an orthodontists recommendations. They will work on kids as long as the child can cooperate.

my 4 year old jusy had an extraction done at Familia dental on coldwater they were super amazing and patient with him ....made the experiance rather pleaseant

I have Aetna insurance through Norfolk Southern. The coverage is good, but they seem to only want to use pediatric dentists that are the big medicaid places, which I've not had a good experience in. His regular dentist was at Aboite Dental, but she wont extract on a child. I guess many dentists dont.

Dr Kevin ludwig

North Pointe Dental Care

Dr ajay joshi in Marion he is amazing. He works with my special needs boys who have ptsd from a previous dentist and they have ask to keep seeing him. http://www.hoosierpediatricdental.com/

Dr Andrew Hobbs will do extractions. I’m a nurse and have recovered his peds patients. Really like him! Would take my own child to him

My dentist has done extractions on as you as one and did two for my son at ages 2,3. Dr Claire Hemphill at Stetzel dental group!

Dr. Tim Olinger.

We've had one great appointment with Dr. Wright at Fort Wayne Dental Group (out SW). I don't know what their treatments & policies are like as the kids get older (or if they actually need some sort of treatment), but for my 2.5 year old the dentist and hygenist were very sweet with him, he sat on my lap the whole time, and the checkup was very quick with no expectation that he'd sit still for long.

We like Dr. Olinger. He's friendly & explains things well. Plus, when I've told him we don't use fluoride, he hasn't pushed the issue. I did stay in the waiting room when Cole had a cavity filled and he did awesome! Was quick and painless.

I would recommend Dr. Olinger as well. Him and his assistants have always been great with my son. He explains things well and, like Elissa, he hasn't pushed us to use fluoride.

All the stories about parents not being permitted in the exam room with the child make me sad.:-( What in the world is the harm?? We've seen three local dentists (all family dentists, not specifically pediatric) and none have ever barred me from going back with my child. Sometimes I've gone back, sometimes I stay in the waiting room. We've been with Dr. Jeffrey Shambaugh for several years and plan to stay with him for the long haul. I don't have any first-hand experience with Kool Smiles, but I know they got some bad press a few years ago for refusing to allow parents to accompany their children to the exam/treatment rooms as well as using restraints on kids; I imagine this is why they heavily advertise now that parents are welcome. I've also heard that because they bill Medicaid (dentists that do are rare), they often want to over treat.

We use Caroline Derrow of Auburn Pediatric Dentistry and have been very happy. That includes my now 5 year old son having a cavity filled, then later an abscess, and the tooth eventually pulled and he still enjoys going there. We had started him at our family dentist, but once the cavity was found, he referred us to the pediatric dentist, and ever since we went Noah wanted no part of the family dentist, so we just continued to go up there even though it's a bit of a drive for us. We've always been able to go back during exams. They recommend that we don't go back during extractions or cavities, but never "forbade" it. We did it because they said it usually goes better that way, and my son never had an issue with it.

Don't use Dr. Andrew Hobbs. Just last week my 6 yo son became visibly upset when he told me that if he cried, the "man at the dentist held his hand over his mouth and nose so that he couldn't breathe. This was 2 years ago at Dr. Hobbs office. I never knew this until now and felt horrible. We had interviewed Dr. Hobbs 1st and felt comfortable with him but were not allowed to go back with my son during the dental work. There is only one pediatric dentist in Fort Wayne that I know of, that will allow you to go back with your child during the dental work - that is Kool Smiles. That is who we have used for the past year and are very happy with them. I was able to sit in a chair next to my son and hold his hand and talk to him while his teeth were being cleaned and filled. They suggested a flouride treatment, but did not insist that I had to do it. I actually was able to hold my 3 yo in my lap while they cleaned his teeth. If the child needs extensive work ie caps etc. they refer out to a hospital setting, so they are just for cleanings and fillings.

Arlene, that is awful!! We met with Dr. Hobbs once and almost used him as he seemed warm and my son seemed to like him, but I'm so glad we didn't! Good to know about Kool Smiles! Is Brad Pulfer a pediatric dentist or just family dentist? I haven't heard of him. My son has some dental issues and none of the pediatric dentists that I've talked with would let us stay in the room with him during treatment which was out of the question for us.:(

We have always used Auburn Dental Associates. Dr. Dan and Dr Andy Schmidt. Not pediatric dentists, but take care of all my kids. Encouraged them to come to my cleanings, take chair rides, check out equipment, have teeth counted early on. Started full cleanings by age three. They love to go. Second son (now 16) had a lot of fillings, pulled a couple early on and they always did well. He never got scared. Very respectful to the kids needs (when my youngest decided she did not want doc to check her, Dr. Andy asked me and the hygienist if there were concerns. Did not want her (my daughter) to lose control of her comfort. I have NEVER been asked to leave.

Yes, Dr. Hobbs is awful. My 13 yo was sI scarred by his experience there that he still hates the dentist. I would skip the pediatric dentist altogether and find a family dentist.

Again...I must recommend Dr. Druley in Grabill. I walk all over their office between the rooms that my children are in...pop in and out, wherever. Never told to stay in the waiting room or in only one room. My children totally love her and her hygenists--even my youngest at 2 years old was totally at ease in the chair. They sell fluoride-free products too.

We see Dr. Tim Olinger up by DuPont hospital he's an amazing pediatric dentist! My girls love him and love going

Dr. Derrow at Auburn Pediatric Dentistry. She is board certified (I believe the only one in this area). She is also a good friend. I trust her with my only offspring.

We go to Dr Hobbs too. You know Parker's special circumstances and he's amazing w/ him. Good luck!

We love Dr. Olinger...even pay more because not in our PPO...he is so nice and down to earth.

We do Dr. Hobbs out southwest. Its right off of Jefferson. Pediatric Dental Associates. He's great.

Dr Orlinger is the best!! Went to him until I was 18!

Tim Ohlinger...he's awesome!

Yep I agree Dr Olinger ...ashley went to him when she was younger never had problems with her teeth like amber and I did

Dr. Olinger! 490-KIDS.:) Mine started when he was 4 or so, he just aged out of the practice and we are devastated. They are all wonderful with kids, great with insurance and we have never ever had a long wait. We love them!

Dr Derrow auburn ped dentist! My kids love it there everyone is so super friendly and they have a treasure chest for the kids lol that's Kenton and Kiya fav part! They are very patient and get you in rather quick!

We went to Dr Hobbs office when his father in law (Daws) was there. Had to take my son to ER after the visit and he had hand print bruises on him..... hope Now the Sr is retired it’s better

If you don't mind the drive Dr. Joshi is amazing. He's the kind of person who is just perfect for working with children. He accepts Medicaid. One of my children has had dental done under anesthesia at the local hospital and it was a great experience. In office experiences are great as well. I'm allowed to be back with my children.

Dr Andrew Hobbs!!

We refer a lot of our peds patients to Dr. Hobbs or Dr. Olinger:)

I don't think he's considered a "pediatric" dentist, but Dr. Blake in Waynedale is amazing with kids. My girls 8, 5, and 2 all see him and love him.

My son visited Dr. Hobbs today for major dental repair. They were amazing!!! This was my sons first experience and they handled him so well, he has no fears from the work they had to do on him today. So thankful!

I have heard horror stories about all the FW ped dentists. We go to DR Druley in Grabill and she has been awesome with my kids (both around age 2 when they had work done). On a side note, I wouldn't do a root canal on a baby tooth, I would just extract.

I second Dr Druley at Grabill Family Dentistry!

Brianna Eilene Bowers Just wanted to warn you against Dr. Hobbs who is a pediatric dentist on W. Jefferson. Several years ago my then 3 yr old had 8 caps put on his teeth. About a year later, he told me that when he was crying, the dentist held his hand over his mouth and nose so that he couldn't breath, until he would stop crying. They would not let me go back with him when I requested. We had previouisly checked out Dr. Kevin Wright who is also a pediatric dentist but he wanted to use a narcotic on a 3 year old, so we chose not to go with him.

That's sad. They should have known better and sent you to get the tooth pulled instead of filling it. Since it's a baby tooth, they'll probably recommend extracting it and maybe putting in a spacer, depending on which tooth it is. FW Dental Group has 1-2 peds dentists. Idk how they fit in with your holistic views with an extraction, but I like them for what I get there.

We see Dr. Olinger and he has always been really great...we are always in the room with the girls and he's never restrained them (though they've never had an issue yet with not laying still), and the girls love going to the dentist. Now he's only examined their teeth and they've not had any actually cleanings or procedure yet, so I don't know if things would change in that case. But, so far we've had only very positive experiences with him. Perhaps if you call the office they will be able to tell you how he practices while a cleaning or other procedure is being done.

That's nuts, Holli. The first I ever heard of keeping parents from being with the child and/or restraining the child was from news stories about those awful Medicaid children's dentist chains, Kool Smiles and that other one. Ugh. Tell this dentist that pediatric dentistry in Fort Wayne isn't nearly as barbaric as he seems to think it is.

We use a regular dentist, Dr. Gilbert, Teal and Perloit. They are great.

Because my son is under 3 and needs dental work done, all of the family dentists who allow you to stay with your child, said that he would need to see a pediatric dentist. Unfortunately, I talked with all of the pediatric dentists in Ft. Wayne, and none of them allow you to stay with your child and they all use the papoose board if needed. We did go ahead and have a consultation with Dr. Hobbs, who was very kind and gentle and overall really great...but still refused to let us stay with him if we brought him back for dental work. He referred us to Dr. Derrow in Auburn who sometimes lets parents stay with the child. We have not seen her yet, but I have a friend who takes her children there and is really happy.

I go to Auburn Dental Assoc and they are amazing! Both kids are going next week for their first appointments. They were out of network when we had our previous insurance. I called the insurance company and asked what the allowable amount was per visit. It was exactly what my dentist charged so everything was covered at 100%!

DeWald Northeast Dental Group is the only one in Auburn who accepts our insurance. Anyone have experience with them?

Yep! We used Mikel Newman in Carmel. Jeff Shambaugh also does them here in Fort Wayne. You should totally join the support group! Indiana Tongue and Lip Tie Support Group

We've taken all our kids to Dr. Rasche in Bloomington. I love him and he files insurance whereas no one else does. That was huge to not have to drop all that money up front. He is great with the kids and anxious parents.

I will also add that Dr Newmans consult is completely free so you only pay if they do the procedure. I had to have my lip tie revised at age 8 before I could get braces (according to the orthodontist). They say that it tends to be genetic. (My mom also has a gap in between her two front teeth that they said was from that). So it can't hurt getting another opinion. But most of all trust your mommy instincts and do what you think is best.

Dr Mckean in georgetown area, across from vito's pizza and wrigley he is real nice and more of a holistic dentist

Dr. Dry let is awesome! I take my Aspie son there and they have done great with him!

My kids have had great experiences with Dr. Yoder and Dr. Rahrig on E. Tillman Road.

Dr. Timothy R. Olinger, DDS is a pediatric dentist located off Dupont Rd. He is wonderful and his staff is great too!

Ellen Wyss; Lindsay Herbert... you may want to skip the sealants.

Took H to Tim Olinger on DuPont. Loved him!! So did she. For Siss?