When Dr. Susan E. Vickers was preparing for her career in dentistry, her goal was to care for children in her practice as they grew up and then, if they needed orthodontics, to be able to care for them herself at the level of an orthodontist. So she became a dual-trained specialist — both a pediatric dentist and an orthodontist.

Normally, Vickers said, a child who needs braces must be referred to another specialist, an orthodontist. “What makes me unique is that patients starting at the age of one can have a dental home and a comprehensive dental experience. Then as an extra, I also can see adults for orthodontics only.”

After graduating from the University of Maryland-College Park, she attended Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine where she graduated with honors. Vickers did her first residency at Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, Texas, and graduated with a certificate in Pediatric Dentistry. She then did residency at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry and graduated with a certificate in orthodontics and her Masters of Science degree. So, after 13 years of hard work, she came home about seven years ago to the Eastern Shore, where her parents still live, to establish her practice. She now has two offices, one in Berlin and one in Salisbury.

A pediatric dentist is dedicated to the oral health of children from infancy through the teenage years. “Our goal is to establish a dental home at the age of one,” Vickers explained. “This is to introduce parents to the oral needs and establish good habits that will guide their child’s dental growth and development and help them avoid future dental problems.”

Children who have a dental home are more likely to receive appropriate preventive and routine oral health care. Vickers makes sure parents know how to brush their children’s teeth until they are old enough to do it themselves, usually at the age of 7 or 8. She stresses the importance of flossing as soon as any two teeth touch. She also is able to advise on pacifiers, night-time bottles and fluoride treatments. Information on these and other issues are on Vickers’ Web site, www.seasidesmilesmd.com.

If the child has an orthodontics issue such as malocclusion (bad bite) or dental realignment problems, Vickers is there to see the child grow and can watch for, diagnose and then begin treatment at the proper time. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic screening for children by the age of 7, when early detection of some jaw issues are best treated early in growth. Research has shown that serious orthodontic problems can be more easily corrected when the patient’s skeleton is still growing and flexible.

Parents often get excited about fixing their own orthodontic issues and become patients themselves when their children are receiving treatment and they casually mention, “I always wanted this fixed...” Some are surprised to learn that Vickers can see adult patients for orthodontics, although not for cleanings and fillings. Then parent and teen can have braces at the same time and arrange back-to-back appointments which save time. Some adults as well as teens qualify for the new Invisalign clear, removable aligners that straighten teeth without braces, metal wires or brackets.

Vickers said her wonderful supportive staff includes a couple of veterans who have been in dentistry for more than 20 years. Their love of children is evident in their commitment to make dentistry fun. “We try to be a team,” she said. “Every day we face the challenge of making dentistry a positive experience for both the patients and their parents. You would be surprised how many of our parents don’t like going to the dentist and don’t want that feeling passed on to their children. So each day, as a team, we work so hard to make sure everyone leaves with a smile and wants to come back to the dentist.

“A healthy smile that people can brag about and be proud of is the best compliment we can receive from our patients and it’s what we shoot for every day. The trick is we make it fun and we make it so you want to come back to see us.”

 

Start your child off right with good dental care, or give yourself a smile you can be proud of.
Call 410-749-0009 to make an appointment at the most convenient of these offices:

6512A Deer Pointe Dr., Salisbury, or 10445 Old Ocean City Blvd., Ste. 12, Berlin,
www.seasidesmilesmd.com.