The recently remodeled office is designed with children in mind — especially the bright and cheerful play area with its enticing big pink playhouse — and the staff, from those in the front office to the doctors and hygienists, are people who enjoy working with kids.
Brenner has been practicing for over 25 years. Ironically, it was his childhood fear of visiting the dentist that propelled him into dental school and helped him create a positive stereotype for pediatric dentists.
Brenner has recently been joined by Tyson G. Bross, DMD, Ph.D, a Pennsylvania native who often vacationed in Ocean City, Md., and was delighted to make the Eastern Shore his home.
Bross received his bachelor’s degree from Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa., where he met his wife, Jodie. At the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine, he completed his dental training and received a Ph.D. in Biomedical Science. He completed his residency in pediatric dentistry at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and there served as chief resident. Bross joined the practice in April and has been full-time since July. He loves his new job as much as he loves the beach and surfing.
“Pediatric dentistry is fun. When I come here, I have to ask myself if this really is work,” Bross said. “It is extremely rewarding to spend time with kids. It keeps you young, and it makes for a fun atmosphere, which is the focus of our practice.”
Bross explained why the practice is for children only, up to age 22.
“Dentistry for children is very different from dentistry for adults, primarily in the way that child psychology is unique and ever-changing. There is no way to ‘fit’ the adult world of dentistry to the child. This is true because of the very different dental needs of adults versus children as well as the different developmental stages that children progress through socially and psychologically.”
For this same reason, Bross continued, parents usually choose to take their children to a pediatrician rather than the family doctor, “because these specialists are trained in the different milestones of children and the different types of treatments they require.
“Younger children especially need to perceive the dentist’s office as a safe and fun place. To do this, pediatric dentists and their staffs are specially trained in how to describe dental procedures in non-threatening and simple, kid-friendly terms.
“Everything that is done in our office is directed at making the visit, no matter how small, a positive experience. Pediatric dentists are very sensitive to the fact that, with children, initial impressions carry a serious and lasting weight on the attitude of the child. One traumatic experience at the start of a dental career can take many years to overcome. It is because of this that the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry talks about the idea of a ‘dental home’ where a young patient can feel safe and comfortable and will grow into the role of an excellent dental patient with consistent and continued positive experiences.”
Dental care should begin early, Brenner and Bross advise. They offer tips for parents on their Web site, www.dentistryforyoungchildren.com, which was designed by Brenner’s son Michael.
For regular cleanings, they like to start no later than age 2, but they suggest that younger siblings tag along when big brother or sister visits the dentist to get an introduction to the dental environment. “They see that we have a lot of fun when they come. Since the practice is centered on the needs of children, new patients generally are not accepted over the age of 15, unless they are new to the area and have younger siblings, in which case it’s a matter of convenience for the parents,” Bross said.
Existing patients may continue coming through their college years unless they feel more comfortable moving to a more adult-oriented practice at an earlier age. Bross noted some patients who have grown up in the practice choose to remain patients into early adulthood and often return with a new generation for dental care.
