24 Oct.2018

Food Drive in Tucson: Great Grins Children’s Dentistry

Food Drive

Great Grins Children’s Dentistry is hosting a food drive through the month of November 2018! The food will be donated to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. We will collect non-perishable goods at our office during business hours from November 1st – November 30th. Please click here to view our calendar, since we have limited hours on some Mondays and Fridays. You can also call ahead of time at (520)325-4746 for more information.

Donation Guidelines

– Please do not bring rusted, dented, or leaking containers.

-No glass. Plastic, cardboard, and cans are best.

-All goods must have a product name. The food bank cannot accept home-made items.

-Try to donate nutritious foods, such as canned chicken, beans, and veggies.

Most Needed Items

All non-perishable food is appreciated and accepted. Additionally, here is a list of the most needed items by the Community Food Bank. If you have any questions regarding regulations, please call the food bank at (520)622-0525.

-Peanut butter

-Canned soups, fruits, and vegetables

-Canned tuna and chicken

-Oatmeal, cereal, and granola bars

-Rice and pasta

-Shelf-stable milk

Donate to Win!

Donate for your chance to win 4 tickets to this year’s Arizona Bowl! The Arizona Bowl is a football game between two eligible college teams and will take place on Friday, December 29th in Tucson. First, bring in a non-perishable item during the month of November. Our team members will help you enter the raffle! As always, Great Grins is happy to support local organizations and events.

Give Back

In order to make this food drive a success, we need your help! If you are not able to donate food, you can still participate by sharing the word on social media. Furthermore, let people know we are hosting a food drive if they are looking for ways to give back! We are happy to collect items from the Tucson community, even if they are not patients. Remember that we will be collecting goods at our office on 3953 E Paradise Falls Dr through the month of November. Most importantly, thank you for participating and we hope to see you soon!

19 Jul.2018

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Prepare for a Dental Visit: 3 Helpful Tips for a Better Experience

Wondering how to prepare for a dental visit? Going to the dentist can be overwhelming for adults, and even more so for our little ones. Although dentists are there to help, the thought of seeing one can sometimes cause anxiety. For this reason, our pediatric dentists in Tucson, AZ work extra hard on making every experience a positive one. Follow these helpful tips below to comfort your child before they make a visit.

1. Watch Positive Videos

One way to prepare for a dental visit is to watch educational videos. Begin by finding short clips that will keep your little one engaged. Be sure to check them out first and ensure that they show positive experiences. Then, listen to the words that are used, how the patient reacts, and the environment. Our office in Tucson is sports-themed and filled with fun stuff for kids. As a result, our patients have the most comfortable visits possible!

2. Read Fun Books!

Another way to comfort your child is to read dental books. There are many options when it comes to books about cleaning teeth. A couple of our favorites are:

The Tooth Book by Dr. Seuss

Brush Your Teeth Please by Leslie McGuire

Choose colorful and short reads, like these rhyme or pop-up books!

3. Role Play

Finally, after watching videos and reading books about happy visits to the dentist, try role playing with your child. You can pretend to be the dentist, or even let your little one do the work first! Most importantly, have your child lay back and practice opening their mouth while you take a look. This is an excellent way to avoid surprises when they have a real visit to the dentist, and they might even look forward to it!

Prepare for a Dental Visit at Great Grins

Give us a call at (520)325-4746 to visit the BEST pediatric dentists in town! Dr. Wolfman and Dr. Lele specialize in dental care for infants, children, and teens. Let us help your child sport a winning smile!

16 Mar.2017

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Nitrous Oxide/Dental Laughing Gas

Nitrous Oxide Benefits

What is Nitrous Oxide?

Nitrous oxide, also called laughing gas, is a safe sedative that helps you relax. At Great Grin’s Children’s Dentistry, this is one of the most common types of oral sedation we provide.

Should My Child Receive Laughing Gas?

Many children feel anxious in unfamiliar places and feel scared at the dentist. Our goal is to help even the most anxious child feel at ease during the appointment. We encourage you to talk with your child about their upcoming visit to our office. Try to prepare them for the services they’ll receive. If they still show extreme nervousness and anxiety, dental nitrous oxide may be helpful for them. For some cases and children with special needs, we also offer office- and hospital-based anesthesia.

How Nitrous Oxide Works

Here is more information on how laughing gas works. At the beginning of the appointment, we will place a small nose piece over your child’s nose. As they breathe normally, the gas will take effect, making your child feel more relaxed. Experiencing a light-headed feeling or a tingling in the arms and legs is normal. It will not put your child to sleep. Your child will be conscious and be able to respond to any directions we may give throughout the appointment. Our doctors then administer oxygen through the nose piece when the treatment is done. This allows the effects of nitrous oxide to wear off right away.

Nitrous Oxide in Tucson Office

Throughout the years, we’ve found that children respond well to laughing gas. It can make your child feel as comfortable and relaxed as possible. Our goal is to ensure every child receives dental treatment comfortably and safely. Laughing gas is easy to administer, and children love the feeling of comfort it provides. Still have questions about laughing gas and your child’s appointment? Contact our office today at (520)325-4746 for more information!

24 Feb.2017

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Tooth Extractions for Children

Extractions

Does My Child Need a Tooth Extraction?

At times, extractions may be needed. Tooth decay left untreated can cause more damage. This can cause even the toughest all-stars to need a tooth removed. At Great Grin’s Children’s Dentistry, we perform extractions from the comfort of our office.

Tooth Extractions and Your Child

Our goal is to ensure that during the extraction, your child is as comfortable as possible. Before we get started, we will give your child an anesthetic to numb the area and reduce discomfort. We help your child understand that after this point, they won’t feel a thing! However, you will want to talk to your child about being careful not to bite the cheek, lip, or tongue afterward. We recommend that your child not eat any foods that require chewing for a few hours after until they regain feeling in the mouth.

Recovery Time

We strive to make your child’s appointment and recovery as comfortable as possible. After surgery, we place a gel foam in the extraction site. This helps to stop any bleeding. The gel foam goes away on its own and is okay to be swallowed if it comes out. For the first day or two after tooth extractions, stick to calm activities. Do not drink through a straw or brush near the extraction site. Ice packs and pain medication can help with any swelling.

In addition, stress the importance of keeping the mouth clean after tooth extractions with your child. Your child should still brush and floss the teeth around the healing tooth. To clean the extraction site, help your child rinse gently with a glass of warm salt water after meals. Be sure your child doesn’t rinse too vigorously.

Pediatric Dentist in Tucson

Drs. Kedar Lele and Angela Wolfman are diplomates of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. They specialize in dental care for infants, children, and teens. For more information on tooth extractions or to schedule an appointment, contact us today!

2 Feb.2017

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X-Rays: Are They Safe for Children?

Dental X-Rays: What Are They For?

Dental x-rays allow dentists to get an inside look at your child’s teeth and jaw to find issues they are unable to see with the naked eye. Cavities can form between teeth, and x-rays help dentists find them. Some children or adults have extra teeth or are more likely to need braces in the future. X-rays allow dentists to see this. So, how safe are they? Read below to learn more about radiographs and their uses.

Are X-Rays Safe?

Yes—in moderation. According to the American Dental Association (ADA) and The National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP), the amount of radiation we’re exposed to from dental x-rays over the course of our lifetimes is minuscule. The average radiation dose in the U.S. is 6.2 millisieverts (mSv) per year. Only about 3.1 mSv come from natural sources and approximately 3.1 mSv from man-made sources. Roughly half of the man-made radiation exposure is related to CT scanning.^*

State laws also set requirements for using radiation. At Great Grin’s children’s dentistry, we comply with all laws and regulations regarding the use and frequency of dental x-rays. We use digital, low-dose radiation x-rays to make them as safe as possible!

Kid’s Dentist in Tucson

In short, the benefits of your child getting a dental x-ray far outweigh the risks. Undetected problems can worsen over time. This can lead to pain and bigger problems in the future. The longer you wait for decay to be treated, the more costly it can be. Dr. Angela Wolfman and Dr. Kedar Lele are happy to answer any questions regarding your child’s dental health. Call Great Grins Children’s Dentistry in Tucson, AZ at (520)325-4746. Whether you have a question regarding insurance, dental x-rays, or appointment scheduling, we are happy to help!

*X-Rays. (n.d.). Retrieved July 07, 2016, from http://www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/x-rays.

15 Dec.2016

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Dental Emergency Tucson, AZ

Dental Emergency Information

Emergencies can strike without warning, requiring emergency dental care. Has your child had an accident at school and hurt their teeth? At Great Grins Children’s Dentistry, we offer 24-hour care for patients of record so you can feel comfortable knowing your child is in good hands. In the case of a dental emergency, Drs. Kedar Lele and Angela Wolfman are happy to help.

Call Great Grins in Tucson, AZ

If you have an after-hours emergency and your child is a patient of record at Great Grins, call our office at (520) 325-4746 (GRIN) and follow the instructions to reach our doctors. Remember to remain calm, speak clearly, and leave your contact information in a message. One of our doctors will return your call shortly.

Dental Emergency: What To Do

If your child loses a permanent tooth, there are ways you can help treat the problem at home. As always, remain calm. First, it’s important to find the tooth. Then, hold it by the crown and gently try to reinsert it into the socket. If you notice debris in the tooth, you can gently rinse it in cool water. Do not scrub the tooth. If you’re unable to clean the tooth or reinsert it into the socket, put the tooth in a glass of milk and call us immediately. The tooth has a better chance of being saved if you act fast!

Pediatric Dentist

For more information on dental emergency situations and what to do, click here. For any emergency, the process goes smoother if you have a primary care provider or dentist. Be sure to schedule your child’s regular dental appointments. Infants can be seen as soon as 6 months after their first tooth comes in! At Great Grins Children’s Dentistry, our priority is to establish a dental home for your little one. Call us at (520)325-4746 to schedule a check up and our doctors will be there to help in the future during a dental emergency if needed.

30 Nov.2016

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Fluoride Treatment

Is fluoride treatment right for my child?

Do you or your child suffer from cavities, plaque buildup, and tooth sensitivity?

Does your child have white spots on his/her teeth?

At Great Grins Children’s Dentistry, we provide fluoride treatment to help lessen common symptoms. Read on to learn more about the uses of fluoride and how it can help build strong teeth.

Fluoride Treatment: What Does it Do?

Acids build up on your tooth enamel every day. As a result, they can make the teeth weak and susceptible to cavities and tooth decay. Unfortunately, fillings alone can’t stop buildup from happening and new cavities from forming. However, fluoride can help prevent tooth decay by making teeth become more resistant to acids in the mouth. Fluoride treatment is especially important for children ages 6 – 16 whose teeth are still growing, since it can help strengthen them.

Where to Get Fluoride Treatments

No matter how strong your child’s teeth might be, protect them against plaque with regular fluoride treatments. Contact us at Great Grins Children’s Dentistry today to make an appointment. New and current patients can reach us at 520-325-4746. At Great Grins, we are also happy to offer complimentary insurance benefit checks. Our team will let you know if fluoride treatments are covered by your plan and how often. Read below to learn more about our doctors.

Dr. Lele and Dr. Wolfman

Great Grins Children’s Dentistry is located near Alvernon and Ft. Lowell in Tucson, AZ, next to the Jewish Community Center. Drs. Kedar Lele and Angela Wolfman are both board certified pediatric dentists who specialize in the dental care for infants, children, and teens. In addition to having the same qualifications, they are a husband and wife team who truly care about their patients and oral health! Drs. Lele and Wolfman love to work in our sports-themed office and believe in making dental visits informative and fun. Feel free to contact us at 520-325-4746 to learn more about our office and schedule your child’s dental appointment!

22 Nov.2016

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Insurance Benefits: Use Them All!

How Insurance Benefits Work

Have you made the most of your insurance benefits this year? Many insurance plans have deductibles that renew every year. These deductibles sometimes have to be met in order for your insurance company to cover any services. When plan deductibles are met, policy holders and dependents have little to no out-of-pocket costs for the rest of their visits until the deductible renews again. If you or your children have met your deductible, it may be useful to visit your health care providers before the year ends!

Dental Insurance Benefits

Dental insurance plans can be a little bit different from medical. Most insurances will cover 2 dental exams and cleanings per year, but some may cover more! Deductibles do not always apply to these exams or other preventive services. If this is the case, your child may not have to meet his/her deductible as long as they do not need dental treatment. Either way, it is best to know your benefits to make the most of them. If your child has only had one dental visit this year, it is very likely that your insurance will cover another before the year ends!

How Do I Know What My Plan Covers?

At Great Grins Children’s Dentistry, we are happy to check dental insurance benefits for your child. We can find out whether they have more exam/cleaning frequencies to use up and help you schedule an appointment! If you are already paying for an insurance plan, why not get the most out of it? You can also call your insurance through the phone number on your card and get information on benefits. Click here to learn more about oral health and browse through insurance plans.

Kid’s Dentist in Tucson

We’re here to help! Call Great Grins Children’s Dentistry at (520)325-4746 or visit us at 3953 E. Paradise Falls Dr. Suite 110, Tucson, AZ 85712 to schedule an appointment for your little one. We are happy to answer any questions you may have!

28 Oct.2016

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Halloween Candy Buy Back for Our Troops!

Looking for something to do with all of that Halloween candy this year? It’s that spooky time of the year again! Great Grins Children’s Dentistry is buying your child’s excess candy! We will be donating candy to Operation Gratitude to support our troops.

Halloween Candy Buy Back Details

Great Grins will pay $1 for each pound of Halloween candy that your child brings in, up to 5 pounds! Come in to our office at 3953 E. Paradise Falls Dr. Suite 110, Tucson, AZ 85712 between November 1-2. Feel free to call ahead at (520)325-4746 to check office hours or for any questions you may have! Read on to learn more about other Halloween activities going on at Great Grins Children’s Dentistry.

Halloween Fun

Aside from participating in school fall festivals around the community, the Great Grins team also loves to bring the fun to our own office! Throughout the month of October, you will find our team’s decorated pumpkins on display. We hold a pumpkin contest every year and our patients get to vote! On October 28 and October 31, 2016, we will be wearing Halloween costumes. Can you guess what the Great Grins team will be dressed up as? ANIMALS! Join us for a fun-filled month at the dentist!

13 Oct.2016

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Jewish Community Center Wellness Festival

The Tucson Jewish Community Center and Tucson Medical Center are presenting the 3^rd annual Family Wellness Festival! Interested in learning about wellness resources in the Tucson community while having FUN? Join us for this free event on Sunday, October 16, 2016 at the JCC! There will be plenty of hands-on activities for the whole family.

Great Grins at the JCC

Great Grins Children’s Dentistry will be participating at the festival. We will be there to share the importance of dental health with both parents and children! Our team will be handing out information and goodies for the little ones. If you haven’t attended the events that we have been to, you will get to see how much fun our booths can be! The kiddos especially like our bean bag toss, but we have other surprises in store as well. We invite you to attend the event and don’t forget to check in with us.

Jewish Community Center Info

The Jewish Community Center is located at 3800 E. River Rd, right next to the Great Grins office! The Family Wellness Festival is free and the JCC welcomes people of all ages. There will be plenty of exhibitors with useful information for the whole family. Visit the JCC’s website here to learn more about the Wellness Festival.

Contact Us

Great Grins Children’s Dentistry loves to give back to the community! Dental health is very important to us and we do our best to spread awareness. We participated in the Tucson Jewish Community Center Family Wellness Center last year and enjoyed spending time with families that are trying to better their health. Dr. Lele and Dr. Wolfman truly believe in educating their patients and patients’ families in order to prevent dental problems. Call us at (520)325-4746 to learn more about our office or our participation in the Family Wellness Festival. We look forward to seeing you there!

childrens dentist

Food Drive

Donation Guidelines

Most Needed Items

Donate to Win!

Give Back

1. Watch Positive Videos

2. Read Fun Books!

3. Role Play

Prepare for a Dental Visit at Great Grins

Nitrous Oxide Benefits

What is Nitrous Oxide?

Should My Child Receive Laughing Gas?

How Nitrous Oxide Works

Nitrous Oxide in Tucson Office

Extractions

Does My Child Need a Tooth Extraction?

Tooth Extractions and Your Child

Recovery Time

Pediatric Dentist in Tucson

Dental X-Rays: What Are They For?

Are X-Rays Safe?

Kid’s Dentist in Tucson

Dental Emergency Information

Call Great Grins in Tucson, AZ

Dental Emergency: What To Do

Pediatric Dentist

Fluoride Treatment: What Does it Do?

Where to Get Fluoride Treatments

Dr. Lele and Dr. Wolfman

How Insurance Benefits Work

Dental Insurance Benefits

How Do I Know What My Plan Covers?

Kid’s Dentist in Tucson

Halloween Candy Buy Back Details

Halloween Fun

Great Grins at the JCC

Jewish Community Center Info

Contact Us

Our Address

Our Hours

Meet the Tooth Fairy

Get Social With Us