Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry in the community

Dr. Kelly and our entire team at Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry love giving back to the Goodyear community, whether by being involved in the Goodyear Heart & Sole 5K Run/Walk (we were proud sponsors) or visiting local schools to talk to children about maintaining good oral hygiene. And that's precisely what we did recently, visiting Dreaming Summit Elementary School to give preschoolers through 5th-graders a presentation about proper brushing, healthy snacks, snacks that contain too much sugar and being referred to an orthodontist.

This upcoming Saturday, Feb. 27, we will be at Verrado High School for the Verrado Vanguard third annual Car Motorcycle Show from 10-2 p.m. We have a booth and will be showing off our choppers!Free admission, so bring your family, stop by our booth and enjoy the fun!

PS - for new photos from last Saturday's Heart & Sole 5K Run/Walk, please visit our Facebook fan page!

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month!

For 60 Februaries, the American Dental Association, or ADA, has sponsored National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. National Children's Dental Health Month began as a one-day event in 1941 in a Cleveland, OH clinic. In 1981, however, the program was extended to a month-long celebration known today as National Children’s Dental Health Month.

Each February, Dr. Kelly Hilgers and thousands of dental professionals focus on the preventive oral care of America's children. Drs. Kelly and Mathieu and our staff want you to remember developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Has your child visited Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry during the past six months? If not, it’s time to schedule an appointment!

Access your account—any day, any time—at Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry

Access to your account, 24/7. Sounds convenient, doesn’t it?

At Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry, we embrace new technology, whether it is through the innovative treatments that we offer, our high-tech web site and social networks, or our modern office conveniently located in Goodyear. Did you know that Dr. Kelly's patients and parents have access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—on our web site? You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, from the comfort of your own home! You can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages!

Just see what a few of our patients are saying about this service!

"I enjoyed looking through the website. I like to see how much I owe, so I can stay on top of things. I also like to see if my insurance has paid." ~ Robert M.

"You can view detailed information about payments and treatments." ~ Dominic D.

"Nice way to have internet access to communicate with the office during 'off' hours for parents like myself." ~ Jason F.

"It was so easy to confirm my daughters appointment! I love this! I can confirm it before I go to work and not have to worry if Dr. Hilgers office is open!! GREAT IDEA!" ~ Kylee M

You, too, can sign up for this convenient service on our web site by clicking the "Patient Login" button on our homepage. Please call our dedicated team at Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry if you have any questions!

Ask Dr. Kelly: When should my child come in for a check-up?

At Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry, we think a child's first visit to the dentist should be enjoyable and positive. The more you and your child know about the first visit, the better you will feel. Children are not born with a fear of the dentist, but they can fear the unknown. At Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Kelly Hilgers and our team make a practice of using pleasant, non-frightening, simple words to describe your child's first dental visit and treatment. We want you and your child to feel at ease from the moment you walk through the door.

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, or AAPD, children should visit the dentist by their first birthday. It is important that your child's newly-erupted teeth (erupting at 6-12 months of age) receive proper dental care and benefit from proper oral hygiene habits right from the beginning. Your child's first tooth erupts between ages 6-12 months and the remainder of their 20 primary or "baby" teeth typically erupt by age 3.

If you have any questions about pediatric dentistry, or about your treatment with Dr. Kelly, please visit the "Dentistry for Children" page on our web site, or feel free to give us a call!

Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry welcomes Dr. Greg Mathieu!

I am excited to introduce Dr. Greg Mathieu into my practice. He is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist and currently serves as an examination committee member and consultant for the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. He was the Director of my pediatric dental residency where I completed my specialty training at the University of Connecticut. Prior to that, he served in the U.S. Army for over 20 years as a pediatric dentist and retired at the rank of Colonel. After more than 13 years of service at UConn, he has decided to join me in private practice and looks forward to many more years of treating children with Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry. I am very excited and honored to work with him again. I am sure patients will adore him as much as we do!

-- Dr. Kelly Hilgers

Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry, official sponsors of Goodyear's Heart & Sole Run/Walk!

Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry and Hilgers Orthodontics are proud to be, allowing with West Valley Hospital, sponsors of the Heart & Sole 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, February 20 in Goodyear. Heart & Sole takes place at the Goodyear Ballpark, 1933 S. Ballpark Way. All participants will receive a t-shirt, ribbon, goodies and refreshments. The Ballpark will have music, vendor booths and food concessions.

Get your tickets for 1/2 off at Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry or Hilgers Orthodontics! (Checks only please!) For more information on the Heart & Sole 5K, please give us a call or visit Goodyear's official website.

Let's help fight childhood obesity and diabetes!

Ask Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry: When is thumb-sucking a cause for worry?

Lots of you have asked us about whether it’s healthy for children to suck thumbs (or, less frequently, fingers). If you’ve got a thumb-sucker in the house, you are not alone. Research tells us that between 75% and 95% of infants suck their thumbs.

So, is this anything to worry about?

In most cases, no, says Dr. Kelly. Sucking is a natural reflex for an infant, and can provide security and contentment as well as relaxation for your little one. It’s a habit that most children grow out of between the ages of 2 and 4.

However, if your child keeps sucking after he’s gotten his permanent teeth, it’s time to take a closer look. If your child sucks his thumb aggressively, putting pressure on the inside of his mouth or his teeth, it could cause problems with tooth alignment and proper mouth growth. If you’re worried, give us a call and Dr. Kelly will help assess the situation, and provide tips for how to help your child break the habit.