Business Details
Emergency
services
Your Child's Trusted Dental Home in St. Cloud, MN
At K O A L A Dental Care, we specialize in pediatric dentistry, dedicated to creating a fun and educational environment for children to learn about oral health. Our board-certified pediatric dentists, Dr. David Collier and Dr. Aruna Rao, bring extensive experience and specialized training to every patient, ensuring personalized care tailored to each child's unique needs. We prioritize preventive care, restorative dentistry, and emergency services, emphasizing the importance of early dental visits to establish lifelong healthy habits. Our team is committed to exceeding expectations by fostering trust and comfort, treating every child as if they were our own. With three convenient locations in St. Cloud, Baxter, and Buffalo, we provide accessible, compassionate care for infants through adolescents, including those with special healthcare needs.Our practice utilizes advanced techniques like digital radiography and silver diamine fluoride to minimize discomfort while maximizing outcomes. We are proud members of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and maintain board certification through the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. Our goal is to make every visit a positive experience, helping children develop confidence and enthusiasm about dental care. We offer 24/7 emergency support and collaborate with specialists like Gillette Children's Hospital for complex cases. By combining expertise with a child-friendly approach, we ensure families receive comprehensive, trustworthy dental care that prioritizes both health and happiness.
Services
Preventive Care
Restorative Dentistry
Orthodontics
Emergency Treatment
Special Needs Dentistry
Highlights and features
- Board-certified pediatric dentists with specialized training
- Child-friendly environment reducing dental anxiety
- 24/7 emergency dental care availability
- Collaboration with Gillette Children's Hospital specialists
- Advanced techniques for minimal discomfort
Associations and certifications
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
- American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
What people say
Amazing staff
Fun to go to dentist
Caring professionals
Comfortable experience
Expertise with special needs
Services
Preventive Care
Our preventive care services include oral hygiene instruction, fluoride treatments, and pit-and-fissure sealants to protect children's teeth from decay. We educate families on proper brushing, flossing, and dietary habits while using advanced techniques like digital radiography for early cavity detection. Regular checkups help maintain optimal oral health and prevent future dental issues.
Restorative Dentistry
We provide fillings, crowns, and prosthesis for children's dental restoration, prioritizing minimally invasive techniques. Our team explains all treatment options thoroughly while using tooth-colored materials whenever possible. For severe cases, we perform pulpotomies and place stainless steel or white crowns to preserve primary teeth structure and spacing.
Orthodontics
As pediatric specialists, we evaluate jaw development and dental alignment starting at age 7. Early orthodontic intervention guides proper growth patterns and prevents future complications. Our approach focuses on natural development through phased treatments that may reduce the need for extensive orthodontic work later.
Emergency Treatment
We offer 24/7 emergency dental services for accidents, toothaches, and trauma. Our team provides immediate care for fractured teeth, soft tissue injuries, and infections while prioritizing patient comfort. After-hours emergencies receive prompt attention through our on-call system.
Special Needs Dentistry
Customized dental plans address the unique requirements of children with disabilities or medical conditions. Our compassionate approach combines behavior management techniques with specialized equipment to ensure safe, effective treatment. We work closely with families to create positive dental experiences for patients with complex needs.
People
J. David Collier
Pediatric Dentist
Board-certified pediatric dentist with a Diplomate from the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. Completed residency at Gillette Specialty Children's Hospital, specializing in cleft palate and craniofacial care. Active member of multiple dental associations including the American Dental Association.
Aruna Rao
Pediatric Dentist
Experienced pediatric dentist with over 8 years of dedicated service to children's oral health. Known for compassionate care and thorough patient education. Specializes in making complex dental concepts accessible to young patients and their families.
Questions
When should my child first visit the dentist?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends visiting by age 1 or within 6 months of the first tooth erupting.
How do you handle dental emergencies after hours?
Call our office anytime - our team provides 24/7 emergency dental care for children with prompt response even after regular business hours.
What makes pediatric dentists different from general dentists?
Our dentists have 2 additional years of specialized training in children's dental development, behavior management, and treatment of complex pediatric cases.
Do you treat children with special healthcare needs?
Yes, we provide customized dental care plans for children with disabilities, focusing on comfort, safety, and comprehensive oral health management.
What technology do you use for dental X-rays?
We use digital radiography which reduces radiation exposure by up to 90% compared to traditional X-ray methods while providing high-quality diagnostic images.
How can I prepare my child for their first visit?
Maintain a positive attitude, avoid using dental terminology, and let us handle the introduction. Most children adapt well to our child-friendly environment and experienced team.
