Business Details
46 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Pediatric Dentistry in Reno & Sparks
The Smile Shop has been dedicated to pediatric dental care since 1980, founded by Dr. Michael Stoker. Our team of certified pediatric dentists, including Dr. Nicole Stoker, Dr. Melissa McCool, and Dr. Whitney Garol, brings extensive postdoctoral training and a commitment to personalized care. We prioritize preventive education, restorative treatments, and emergency services tailored to children from infancy through adolescence. With three locations in Reno and Sparks, we combine a fun, welcoming environment with advanced techniques like digital radiography and sedation dentistry.Our focus on trust, transparency, and long-term patient relationships has earned us generations of loyal families. Recognized by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, we emphasize early intervention to ensure lifelong oral health. Patient testimonials highlight our compassionate approach, skilled staff, and ability to make dental visits positive experiences for children, including those with special needs.
Services
Pediatric Dentistry
Orthodontic Evaluations
Emergency Treatment
Sedation Dentistry
Sealants & Fillings
Crowns & Restorations
Dental X-Rays
Preventive Care
Tooth Extractions
Mouth Guards
Details
- Year established: 1980
Highlights and features
- Our dentists are board-certified pediatric specialists with postdoctoral training.
- We offer sedation dentistry for anxious or special needs patients.
- Three convenient locations serving Reno and Sparks families.
- Emergency dental care available after hours and weekends.
- Focus on preventive education to establish lifelong oral health habits.
What people say
Excellent staff
Great for special needs
Prompt emergency care
Child-friendly atmosphere
Loyal generations of families
Services
Pediatric Dentistry
The Smile Shop provides comprehensive dental care for infants, children, and adolescents. Our services include routine checkups, cleanings, and preventive education to establish lifelong oral health habits. We emphasize early detection of dental issues and offer specialized care for children with anxiety or special needs, ensuring a comfortable experience through personalized communication and gentle techniques.
Sedation Dentistry
We offer nitrous oxide sedation to help anxious children relax during dental procedures. This safe, effective method allows cooperative treatment while maintaining patient comfort. For extensive work, we coordinate general anesthesia in operating room settings when necessary, ensuring optimal care for complex cases while prioritizing safety and comfort.
Emergency Treatment
The Smile Shop addresses urgent dental issues like toothaches, knocked-out teeth, and oral injuries. Our team provides immediate care for trauma or infections, with after-hours emergency availability. We guide parents through initial home care steps and prioritize prompt treatment to alleviate pain and prevent complications in children's dental emergencies.
Orthodontic Evaluations
We conduct orthodontic assessments starting at age seven to identify bite issues and alignment problems. Early intervention helps guide tooth eruption and jaw development, potentially reducing future treatment complexity. Our dentists monitor growth patterns and recommend optimal timing for orthodontic referrals to ensure proper dental function and aesthetics.
Sealants & Fillings
Protective sealants and restorative fillings prevent and treat tooth decay in children. We apply sealants to permanent molars to block cavity-causing bacteria, while tooth-colored and stainless steel fillings restore damaged teeth. These treatments preserve primary teeth health, maintaining space for permanent teeth and preventing infection spread.
People
Dr. Nicole Stoker
Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Stoker earned her dental degree from the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in 2005. She provides compassionate pediatric care with a focus on preventive education and anxiety-free treatment.
Dr. Melissa McCool
Pediatric Dentist
A Nevada native, Dr. McCool graduated from UNR and UNLV before specializing in pediatric dentistry. She emphasizes creating positive dental experiences for children through patient-centered communication and gentle techniques.
Dr. Whitney Garol
Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Garol received her dental medicine degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine. She specializes in treating children with complex dental needs and promotes early oral health education.
Questions
When should my child first visit the dentist?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a child's first dental visit by age one to establish preventive care and monitor development.
Why are baby teeth important?
Primary teeth maintain space for permanent teeth, aid speech development, and enable proper chewing. Untreated cavities in baby teeth can lead to infections affecting permanent teeth.
What sedation options do you offer?
We use nitrous oxide for mild sedation during procedures. For extensive treatment, we coordinate general anesthesia in hospital settings to ensure safe, effective care.
How do you handle dental emergencies after hours?
Call our office number - a dentist is always on call for emergencies, including weekends and holidays. Our answering service will connect you with the available provider.
What happens during a routine checkup?
We perform a thorough examination, professional cleaning, fluoride treatment, and preventive education. The dentist will discuss any concerns and recommend necessary interventions like sealants.
Do you treat children with special needs?
Yes, our team specializes in caring for children with special health care needs, offering tailored approaches and sedation options to ensure comfortable, effective treatment.
