More happy patients at Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry!

If you know us, you know we LOVE hearing from our patients – check out what some of them are saying about Dr. Kelly Hilgers and our staff!

"I love the personal care and interest they show to my children. They go out of their way to make them comfortable and make visiting the dentist an experience that they greatly look forward to. I like their personnel a lot. They are a staff that cares." ~ Joanne F.

"We LOVE Hilgers! I have two boys, 4 and 6 years old. We have been going to Hilgers for 4 years now. My husband went for his own dental checkup this past week, when he told my children he was going to the dentist, my oldest son replied "Oh man! I wish I could go to my dentist today! I love going to the dentist! When do I get to go back to my dentist?" My kids have never been afraid to be there, Dr. Kelly and her staff have created a wonderfully comfortable environment for the kids. I can't say enough good things about Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry."

"Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry is wonderful. We have been very impressed over the last 18 months of using Hilgers Pediatric dentistry for our four children. They all love to go, and come home asking when they can go again."‎ ~ Julie M.

"Dr. Kelly and her staff are so kid-friendly! My son really like most of what goes on there! The movies, getting to pick his own toothbrush, and flavor of toothpaste and flouride! she is also very knowledgeable!" ~ Julien C.

By the way, Facebook is a great place to tell us how we're doing, but we also encourage you to head to our Google Places page and leave a short review there. Your generous reviews help Dr. Kelly build more beautiful smiles here in Goodyear and surrounding communities!

10 summer traveling tips, from Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry

Hey, parents! Are you busy planning that perfect family vacation for the whole family this summer? Here at Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry, we know that summer is the season when many families choose to hit the open road—or catch a flight—to make those memories together. That’s why we want to share this helpful video - courtesy of Channel 6 News in Philadelphia - about tips you can use when traveling with kids this summer.

Here are some more tips, courtesy of Cassandra James from Associated Content:

1. Make sure your kids are busy if you're going on a long car ride.

2. Don't ignore your kids during the trip - play guessing games, car number plate games, memory games, etc.

3. Choose the shortest way there

4. If you're flying, avoid layovers (long layovers can bore a child)

5. Don't forget to stop (take a break from driving every 2-3 hours)

6. Pre-board planes - give yourself and your kids a few extra minutes to get settled in

7. If possible, travel at night for your sanity's sake :)

8. Try to stop off at fun and interesting places.

9. Get to know your kids - start a conversation, ask about their friends, etc.

10. Make sure your kids are wearing comfortable clothes during your trip.

We encourage you to read the rest of Cassandra's article! Happy and safe travels!

What helps you relax at Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry?

Dr. Kelly is well-aware that not everyone is always thrilled to visit the dentist. But at Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry, we strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each of your visits.

Today, we’d like to know: What is it about our office that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant office environment? Our friendly professional staff? Perhaps it's Dr. Kelly or Dr. Greg?

Let us know by posting here or on our Google Local page!

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!

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.

Choosing the Right Dentist, Part Two: Why Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry Simply Works

A complete experience...

Dr. Kelly and her staff at Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry are warm and friendly, and take pleasure in explaining to parents their child's treatment will be kid-friendly. We focus on educating patients on preventive care and are sure to develop a good relationship with the patient. If the child ever needs treatment, there is a level of trust developed that makes the experience more comfortable.

Further, Dr. Kelly's husband is an orthodontist, and together we make sure our patients' growth and development is monitored and minor issues are corrected before they become major problems.

For more reasons on why Dr. Kelly and her team are the right fit for your children's dental needs, please visit our "About Us" page or give us a call!

Choosing the Right Dentist, Part One: Why Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry?

Dr. Kelly and her team are often asked, "What sets your practice apart from the rest?" Here's our answer: Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry is a great place for parents and children to share a fun, safe and rewarding dental experience. Our warm and welcoming atmosphere provides a special experience from the moment a child walks through our doors. The initial feeling you get is that you just walked into a rain forest on a deserted island. There is a gigantic tree that stretches across a very large reception area. The front desk is a tiki-hut that connects an arcade, a shipwreck, a complimentary coffee bar, a movie theater and complementary Internet station for parents.

Each child receives a T-shirt with our crocodile logo and is rewarded at subsequent appointments with an extra prize if they wear the shirt. Every child who walks through the door is offered a balloon, whether they have an appointment or a sibling has an appointment.

Stay tuned next week, for part two of why Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry is the right choice for you. Give us a call if you have any questions! Until then, Dr. Kelly and her team wish you a Happy New Year!

What are patients saying about Dr. Kelly Hilgers?

Dr. Hilgers and her team love getting patient reviews. And lately, Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry, serving Goodyear and surrounding communities, has been getting some pretty great patient testimonials! We thought we'd share some with you today! Happy Holidays!

"I can't say enough GREAT things about Dr. Hilgers! I only wish I had a dentist like Dr. Hilgers when I was growing up!! Everyone in her practice is so friendly! My daughter is not scared to go in the back. She looks forward to seeing Dr. Hilgers!" ~ Kylee M.

"Dr. Kelly is great. She has a lot of patience with my kids. She interacts with them on a level they can understand. My kids look forward to going to the dentist which is something you don't see everyday." ~ Xavier S.

"Dr. Kelly and her staff are great with the kids. I have had bad experiences with other pediatric dentists and Dr. Kelly and her staff are by far the best." ~ Adriana L.

"I like the kid friendly atmosphere and how helpful everyone is to us as parents and to my child!" ~ Matthew G.