Pediatric Dentist in Boise, ID
A child’s first dental memory should be a positive one. Lamb Family Dental has been seeing Boise kids in our general practice since 2003, from age 1 and up, starting with short “Happy Visits” that build comfort with the chair and growing into full cleanings, sealants, and fluoride treatments as kids get older. Gentle, unhurried, parents-in-the-room, family-focused. Gentle as a Lamb.
Why Boise Parents Choose Us for Their Kids
We’re a family general practice, not a specialty pediatric office, which means the same dentists your kids see for cleanings and checkups also see you, your spouse, and the grandparents. Many Boise families book multi-generation appointments in one trip, which saves time and lets kids watch their parents go first (often a surprisingly effective anxiety tactic).
Our pediatric philosophy: a child’s first dental memory should be positive. Short first visits. Parents in the room as long as their child wants them there. Plain-language explanations (“we’re going to count your teeth” rather than “we’re performing a periodontal exam”). No shame about gaps between visits. Over the years this approach has produced patients who grow into adults without the dental anxiety that plagues so many of their peers.
From Age 1 and Up
We see children as young as age 1, first visits are short, relaxed, and mostly about getting comfortable with the chair and our team.
Parents in the Room
You stay with your child as long as they need you there, no “parents have to wait in the lobby” rule.
Unhurried Appointments
We schedule 30–45 minutes for pediatric cleanings. If your child needs a break, we take it.
Family-Focused Scheduling
Back-to-back appointments for parents, kids, and grandparents, one trip, one Boise-office visit.
Pediatric Services We Offer
- First “Happy Visit” (ages 1–3). Short visit, mostly about introducing the child to our office. Maybe a quick look, maybe just a chair ride. No pressure.
- Pediatric cleanings and exams. Gentle 30–45 minute appointments with fluoride treatment if appropriate. Tooth-by-tooth count, gum check, oral cancer screening (yes, for kids too).
- Dental sealants. Thin protective coatings on the deep grooves of permanent molars, dramatically reduces cavity risk in the most cavity-prone area of the mouth. Best placed shortly after 6-year molars and 12-year molars erupt.
- Fluoride treatments. Professional-strength topical fluoride that strengthens enamel and prevents decay. Quick brush-on application at the end of a cleaning.
- Cavity fillings. Tooth-colored composite fillings for kids, done with lots of communication and nitrous oxide if your child needs it.
- Emergency care for kids. Same-day slots for knocked-out teeth, chipped teeth from falls, toothaches. Call (208) 344-6300 right away.
- Sports mouthguards. Custom-fit mouthguards for kids in contact sports, significantly better protection than drugstore boil-and-bite versions.
- Orthodontic screening. We flag alignment issues that need an orthodontist and coordinate referral when appropriate.
When to Bring Your Child in for the First Time
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children have their first dental visit by age 1, or within 6 months of the first tooth erupting, whichever comes first. That’s earlier than many parents expect, and there’s real reason for it: early-childhood decay can develop alarmingly fast, and early visits establish habits and comfort that pay off for a lifetime.
The first visit is brief and low-pressure. We look for any visible decay or developmental concerns, answer parent questions about diet and brushing, introduce the child to the chair, and schedule a follow-up in 6 months. Many 1-year-olds don’t even sit in the chair on their first visit, they sit in a parent’s lap while we take a gentle look. That’s fine.
Handling Dental Anxiety in Kids
Most kids do well with our standard pediatric approach. Some need more support:
- Anxious children. Tell us when you call so we schedule extra time, put your child’s appointment in a quieter part of the day, and start with a short “get comfortable” visit before any treatment.
- Nitrous oxide (laughing gas). Commonly used for anxious children and teens. Mild, wears off quickly, no aftermath. See our sedation dentistry page for more.
- Very young children with severe anxiety. Oral conscious sedation or treatment under deeper sedation is typically handled by pediatric dental specialists rather than general practices. We refer appropriately when the situation calls for it.
Teens and Orthodontic Coordination
Teens go through a specific set of dental concerns: permanent molars erupting and needing sealants, alignment issues that may need orthodontic evaluation, sports injuries that need mouthguards, wisdom teeth that may need extraction in the late-teen years. We handle the general and preventive side in-house and coordinate orthodontic care with local specialists when braces or Invisalign are the right call.
Invisalign Teen is appropriate for many teenage alignment cases and has significantly less stigma at school than traditional braces, a real factor in whether kids wear their orthodontic appliance consistently.
How Much Do Pediatric Dental Visits Cost?
Typical pediatric service costs in Boise, uninsured:
- Pediatric cleaning + exam + X-rays: $150–$275
- Fluoride treatment: $25–$50
- Dental sealant (per tooth): $40–$75
- Pediatric composite filling: $100–$250 depending on size
- Custom sports mouthguard: $100–$200
Most dental insurance plans cover pediatric preventive care (cleanings, exams, X-rays, fluoride, sealants) at 100%. Basic restorative (fillings) typically covered at 80%. We verify your family’s specific coverage before treatment.
Meet Your Boise Family Dentists
Dr. Kimball Mack, DMD
Co-lead dentist who sees kids, teens, and adults with the same patient-first approach.
Dr. Kyle Pelletier, DMD
Co-lead dentist with a gentle, kid-friendly chairside manner. Often the preferred dentist for kids who are nervous about the chair.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pediatric Dentistry
When should my child have their first dental visit?
By age 1, or within 6 months of the first tooth erupting, whichever comes first. The first visit is short and low-pressure, focused on getting the child comfortable with our office rather than full treatment. Early visits establish habits and comfort that pay off for a lifetime.
Are you a pediatric dentist or a general dentist?
We’re a family general practice with extensive experience seeing children in addition to adults. We handle routine pediatric care in-house, cleanings, sealants, fluoride, composite fillings, sports mouthguards, emergency care. For very young children requiring deeper sedation or for complex behavioral or medical cases, we refer to pediatric dental specialists and coordinate care.
Can my child and I have back-to-back appointments?
Yes, many Boise, Eagle, and Meridian families schedule multi-generation appointments. Kids, parents, and grandparents all seen in one office visit. Kids especially love watching a parent go first; it takes the mystery out of the chair.
What if my child is nervous or has had a bad dental experience before?
Tell us when you call. We’ll schedule extra time, put the appointment in a quieter part of the day, and start with a short “get comfortable” visit before any real treatment. Nitrous oxide is available for mild-to-moderate anxiety. For children with significant anxiety or complex behavioral needs, we refer to pediatric dental specialists who handle deeper sedation.
Do you handle pediatric dental emergencies?
Yes. Same-day emergency slots every weekday for knocked-out teeth, chipped teeth from falls, severe toothaches, and other kid dental emergencies. One specific note: if your child knocks out a baby tooth, don’t try to reinsert it, baby teeth reimplanted can damage the developing permanent tooth underneath. Preserve the tooth in milk and call us so we can check the adult tooth underneath.
Does insurance cover pediatric dental visits?
Most dental insurance plans cover pediatric preventive care, cleanings, exams, X-rays, fluoride, and sealants, at 100%. Basic restorative work (fillings) is typically covered at 80%. We verify your family’s specific coverage before treatment and give you honest out-of-pocket numbers.
Kids from Across the Treasure Valley
Our West Boise office serves kids and families from Boise, Eagle, Meridian, Nampa, Kuna, Star, Garden City, and beyond. Convenient weekday morning appointments for kids before school or as a lunchtime pull-out. Free on-site parking.
Ready to Schedule Your Child’s First Visit?
Schedule online or call us. First visits are short, low-pressure, and focused on your child’s comfort. Bring siblings along, we love seeing the whole family.