Dental Clinic

Dentistry was one of the first specialty services offered in the early 1900s at Children’s Orthopedic Hospital (now Seattle Children’s). Maintaining good oral health is essential to your child’s overall health. Their mouth must be clean and free of infection in order to undergo many medical treatments and surgeries.

We are leaders in managing dental care for children with special healthcare needs. A dental exam is often required before your child can undergo certain hospital-based treatments and procedures. We work with your child’s team of providers to understand what dental services are required so your child can get the medical services they need to live the healthiest and most fulfilling life possible.

We are also experienced in treating dental emergencies and jaw injuries.

We serve as the primary dental care team for many children, teens and young adults who have a craniofacial disorder and are being seen or followed by Seattle Children’s Craniofacial Center team. As your child’s primary dentist, we provide dental exams, orthodontic services and will perform oral surgeries, if needed.

At Seattle Children’s, your family has a full team of experts behind you that are specially trained to work with children. We take time to understand and explain how your child’s medical and dental conditions are related. We help you fully understand your child’s treatment options and make choices that are right for your family. As your child gets older, we include them in decisions about their care.

Good oral health is a critical part of your child’s overall health.

We collaborate on research projects with the University of Washington’s School of Dentistry to establish the most effective dental treatments and to study the oral health needs of children with complex medical conditions.

We offer emergency consultations and services for children and teens who come to Seattle Children’s Emergency Department with dental problems that need treatment right away, such as broken teeth, swelling in the face, or infections of the mouth, face or jaw.

Our endodontists treat diseases of the tissues located in the middle of the tooth, called the “pulp.” Bacteria (decay) or trauma often causes diseased pulp. Common treatment includes root canals.

For children and teens with certain medical conditions or severe anxiety, we may use general anesthesia or sedation while providing dental services.

Our Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery team focuses on the diagnosis and surgical treatment of diseases, injuries and birth defects that affect the jaws, mouth, teeth and facial structures. These conditions can affect the way your child breathes, eats, sleeps, talks and looks.

Our orthodontists specialize in making teeth straighter and lining up the jaws using devices like braces, retainers and molding plates. Speech prosthetics are devices that help your child speak more easily or clearly if they are missing parts of their mouth or jaw.

We offer orthodontic care and speech prosthetics to patients with craniofacial conditions receiving care at Seattle Children’s Craniofacial Center. In some instances, we may provide orthodontic care and speech prosthetics to patients with other complex medical conditions.

We provide basic preventive care, such as routine check-ups, cleanings, dental X-rays, fluoride treatment, sealants and fillings. We will also check your child’s mouth and neck for any sores or tumors.

Periodontics is the treatment of gum and bone disease, called periodontal disease. Gingivitis is the most common type of gum disease in children that often presents with bleeding or swelling of the gums. Treatments include regular cleaning, brushing and flossing.

Depending on the severity of your child’s gum disease, we may need to perform deep cleaning treatments or gum surgery.