Business Details
Your Trusted Pediatric Dentist in Westport, MA
At SHIELD Pediatric Dentistry, we are dedicated to providing premier pediatric dental care for children up to age 18. Our mission is to exceed expectations by creating a comfortable, informative, and enjoyable experience for every family. With a state-of-the-art practice in Westport, MA, we specialize in preventive care, habit counseling, and restorative treatments tailored to young patients. Our team combines extensive clinical expertise with compassionate service, ensuring visits are both effective and stress-free.We prioritize community outreach and education, offering flexible financial arrangements and accepting most insurances, including MassHealth. Every treatment decision reflects our commitment to long-term oral health and patient-centered care.
Services
Oral Habits
Sealants
Fluoride Treatments
Silver Diamine Fluoride
Fillings
Pediatric Crowns
Baby Root Canals
Extractions
Space Maintainers
Sedation Options
Highlights and features
- Specialized pediatric care for children up to age 18 with child-friendly techniques
- Experienced team including board-certified pediatric dentists and hygienists
- State-of-the-art facility designed for children's comfort and safety
- Community-focused practice with mission-driven outreach programs
- Flexible financial arrangements and acceptance of MassHealth and major insurances
What people say
Fantastic
Comfortable & felt safe
Great dental experience
Down to earth
Amazing job
Services
Sealants
Dental sealants protect permanent molars from decay by sealing deep pits and fissures. Applied after full eruption around ages 6 and 12, this preventive treatment makes brushing easier and reduces cavity risk. Our team ensures comfortable application while educating families about long-term oral health benefits.
Fluoride Treatments
Topical fluoride applications strengthen tooth enamel and reverse early decay. We apply concentrated varnish after cleanings and may prescribe high-fluoride toothpaste. This essential preventive service protects developing teeth while our dentists explain proper home care techniques to parents during routine visits.
Pediatric Crowns
Custom-fitted crowns restore severely decayed or damaged baby teeth. Our dentists use durable materials that match natural teeth while maintaining space for permanent successors. The process prioritizes patient comfort through gentle techniques and age-appropriate explanations to ensure positive treatment experiences for young patients.
Sedation Options
We offer safe sedation methods for anxious or special needs patients. Our certified providers carefully select appropriate sedation levels while monitoring vital signs throughout treatment. This service enables comprehensive care in a single visit while maintaining strict safety protocols and clear pre/post-operative instructions for families.
Oral Habits
Our team addresses thumb sucking and other harmful oral habits through behavioral guidance and appliance therapy. Early intervention prevents facial development issues while maintaining compassionate support for children. We combine positive reinforcement with customized treatment plans to break negative patterns effectively and comfortably.
People
Daniel Gonzalez
Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Gonzalez earned his DMD from Tufts University with honors and completed pediatric residency at NYU Lutheran Medical Center. He serves on multiple dental association boards and combines clinical expertise with mission work providing dental care in underserved regions.
Erwin Apaza
Dental Hygienist
Erwin graduated from Bristol Community College with dental hygiene honors and holds a nutrition degree from UMass Amherst. His healthcare background enables personalized preventive care for children while incorporating dietary guidance to support optimal oral health.
Melissa Gonsalves
Dental Assistant
With 17 years of pediatric dental experience since 2007, Melissa focuses on patient comfort during treatments. Her career began assisting her grandfather with dentures, fostering a passion for creating positive dental experiences that continues through her work with anxious young patients.
Ana
Front Desk Manager
Ana serves as the welcoming presence at our front desk with extensive experience in pediatric dental administration. She coordinates patient care logistics while ensuring families receive compassionate support from initial contact through treatment completion.
Kerri
Dental Assistant
Kerri provides hands-on patient care with a focus on creating comfortable treatment experiences. She collaborates closely with our dentists to deliver personalized pediatric dental services while maintaining a warm, reassuring presence for anxious children during procedures.
Questions
When should my child have their first dental checkup?
The American Dental Association recommends a child's first visit when the first tooth appears, but no later than their first birthday.
How often should children brush their teeth?
Children should brush twice daily - morning and night - using age-appropriate techniques demonstrated by our dental team during preventive visits.
Do you accept MassHealth and private insurance?
We accept most insurances including MassHealth, and work with families to maximize coverage while offering flexible financial arrangements for uncovered services.
What sedation options are available for anxious patients?
We offer nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and general anesthesia options tailored to each child's needs and treatment complexity, administered by certified providers.
How are dental emergencies handled?
While we prioritize scheduled care, our team provides urgent treatment for dental trauma and severe pain during regular business hours with prompt appointment availability.
