Member: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Dental Association, Hispanic Dental Association, Texas Dental Society, Southwestern Society of Pediatric Dentistry, Texas Association of Women Dentists.
Many parents refuse to make radiographic examinations on their children because they think that this is carcinogenic radiation, i.e., it may trigger the growth of cancer cells in children. However, this fear is unfounded and should not exist because the radiation used in the pediatric dental office is minimal. It is only performed the x-rays that patients need. In everyday life, without realizing it, we expose ourselves to a specific lot of radiation such as solar radiation, radio waves, microwave oven, cell phones, television, laser beams, among others.
The dental radiographic exposure represents only 1% compared with other radiological exposures in other fields of health sciences. At a federal and state level, the government health offices establish a set of regulations for the operation of radiographic equipment, proper use of this equipment, its maintenance, and the dosage that it can emit
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends radiographs and examinations every six months for children aged 3-6 years and for those children with high-risk caries. In many cases, children between the ages of 3-6 years are not cooperative when we try to take radiographs; therefore, it is better to delay radiographs until the patient improves their behavior and understands that it is only a radiograph. Moreover, If the child becomes more cooperative, then we begin by taking an intraoral radiograph; therefore, they will gradually become more used to routine dental checkups.
In our office, we try to take the minimum of radiographs needed. Just the essentials every six months for follow-up evaluations after trauma or other pulp treatment, to assess the injury and to monitor the dental development of children and adolescents. Remember that the pediatric dentistry today is purely preventive!
At the young age of 11, as a consequence of a horrible toothache, she decided to become a dentist. She studied dentistry at the Universidad Central de Venezuela in Caracas, Venezuela, where she obtained her dental degree.
During this time, she also attended rotations at the Beekman, Bellevue and Beth Israel Hospitals located in Lower Manhattan, NY. In 1985, after completing her postgraduate degree, Dr. Calcina returned to Venezuela where she continued working at her own practice. Simultaneously, she taught at the postgraduate program of pediatric dentistry at the Universidad Central de Venezuela.
Dr. Calcina decided to open her practice in Katy, Texas. Dr. Calcina is fluent in English, Spanish, Mandarin, and Italian. Besides enjoying her profession, she also enjoys cooking, listening to classical music, swimming, and spending time with her grandchildren.
Reviews
Rating 4.2 out of 5 based on 37 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestAngela Martz
a year ago
If you value your children's teeth, do not take them to this office. My children were patients for 1 1/2 years and after my 18yr aged out, I took her to another dentist to find out she had 5 cavities and some were deep. Every time we went in they were declared cavity free. I decided to take my other 3 children and sure enough, 2 of the 3 had cavities and my son has a deep cavity in his permanent molar. This kind of damage is not something that happens in 6 months and should have been caught.
Z Bow
a year ago
Dr. Maria is always been great with my boys. They feel right at home with her.
Noel E
2 years ago
We chose to go to another dental office. Our 2nd to last visit we were the only family in the waiting room (during covid) and waited 20 min after our apt time. I thought this was odd and asked if we would be seen soon. The lady scoffed at the question but proceeded to give me no info. I'm guessing they booked us during their lunch time. The last visit, the Dr herself came in while we were waiting to inform us that we aren't allowed to complain about wait times. When we went back she started telling us her stance on abortion. Whether we agreed or not, it's really not her place to bring such a topic up. It wasn't prompted, I'm not sure what she was thinking. I chose to write this review today because even her follow up email to schedule an apt seemed rude and condescending.
joogz
2 years ago
If I could rate this place 0 stars I would. My brother came back from the dentist and they were trying to take off 6 teeth from his mouth when it was only supposed to be 2. We let them start because we thought it was only 2 in the meantime and he was screaming and you could see that the lady was taking it off and he was bleeding a lot and she didn't even do nothing about it, she didn't even give him some anesthesia to make him feel no pain and she was digging in really deep in his teeth making more blood come out and he was screaming so loud you could hear it in the lobby and once she was going to start on the third tooth we so no way since we knew he only needed two off and once we got back home we saw how bad they took of his teeth and we will never go back. It was a black tall lady that did this.
Mia Cordero
2 years ago
I love Dr Maria. I've been with her since I was a little girl and she is the best of the best. She's sweet and kind. All of her assistants are angels as well. Never have I been scared once to go to the dentist because I know she'll take care of me.
Yana Chepishko
2 years ago
The worst doctor visit. How can she work with kids? First of all we arrived 15 min earlier, and it took us 40 min to complete all the paperwork. They could have emailed it a day or two earlier so we don't waste our time. After Dr Maria introduced herself I noticed something was wrong. She was talking about everything except my daughter dental exam. About how many languages she speaks, where she grew up, and about her other patients. Do I need all this information? Absolutely not!!! Moreover, while conducting the dental exam she just laid her hand on my daughter's face, and went off topic complaining about her life. I mentioned to her that I did not like it, to which she answered: your daughter is not crying then everything is ok. How did she become a doctor??? I never write bad reviews, but if you don't wanna traumatize your kid - Never! Never take them to this dentist
eiby antunez
2 years ago
I adore Maria Calcina She's loving compassionate Warming professional and has so much knowledge when it comes to children. I've had the best experience with her since my son was 6 and now he's 8 She's amazing Knows how to talk to the children I cannot explain how grateful I am that she's my son's dentist. He got traumatized in a different dentist and she provide security to my child that he was in great hands. And it shows how well she does her work!!! Her whole team are very lovely. Great job!
arlet alarcon
2 years ago
Rude girl they have answering phones! Can't even give out information. With that attitude I wouldn't even want to take my child here! Plenty of other nice places we can go to!
Lakeshia Lee
3 years ago
My 7 year old daughter had a horrible experience at this location, Dr. Maria tried to put a cap on my daughter's tooth, grinding down her tooth, even though her gums were swollen with infection. My daughter was screaming in pain, it took 3 people to hold her down. I knew something wasn't right, her father and I was very upset that she didn't give her any antibiotics before working on her tooth. I guess Dr. Maria knew we were up set so she began being very rude to my husband and I. I will never go back to this dentist,and now my daughter is know terrified about going back to the dentist!
J Miranda
3 years ago
I rate this place over 5 stars . The facility is nice and clean. The staff is amazing they are always so nice and helpful. Dr. Calcina is awesome my 2 daughters ages 3 and 10 love their Dentist . My girls are nervous at first as would anybody right? Both of my children walk out w smiles on their faces EVERYTIME . Dr. Calcina is really good w the kiddos , she always makes them feel so comfortable to be there .. she talks to them and takes her time to know them and assures them that it'll all be fine. I Couldn't ask for a better Dentist for my girls ! Thank you Dr. Calcina we love you and your AMAZING crew! Tatianna and Dahlila
Sarah
3 years ago
We had a great visit. She is amazing! Staff is very professional and fast. Fixed my daughter's broken tooth in about 20 mins. I wish We came here before.
Alyssa Diaz
3 years ago
Dr. Maria and her staff are wonderful people, my daughter actually had fun going to the dentist. They were very informative about how to take care of my daughter's teeth and they were very sweet to her. Im happy I chose to make this her main dentistry!
arlet alarcon
3 years ago
Rude girl they have answering phones! Can't even give out information. With that attitude I wouldn't even want to take my child here! Plenty of other nice places we can go to!
eiby antunez
3 years ago
I adore Maria Calcina She's loving compassionate Warming professional and has so much knowledge when it comes to children. I've had the best experience with her since my son was 6 and now he's 8 She's amazing Knows how to talk to the children I cannot explain how grateful I am that she's my son's dentist. He got traumatized in a different dentist and she provide security to my child that he was in great hands. And it shows how well she does her work!!! Her whole team are very lovely. Great job!
Lakeshia Lee
3 years ago
My 7 year old daughter had a horrible experience at this location, Dr. Maria tried to put a cap on my daughter's tooth, grinding down her tooth, even though her gums were swollen with infection. My daughter was screaming in pain, it took 3 people to hold her down. I knew something wasn't right, her father and I was very upset that she didn't give her any antibiotics before working on her tooth. I guess Dr. Maria knew we were up set so she began being very rude to my husband and I. I will never go back to this dentist,and now my daughter is know terrified about going back to the dentist!
Sarah
3 years ago
We had a great visit. She is amazing! Staff is very professional and fast. Fixed my daughter's broken tooth in about 20 mins. I wish We came here before.
Ashley Chavez
3 years ago
Love this place! Sooo much better than our previous place and my daughter is no longer scared to go to the dentist. We love Maria and her staff. Everyone is so friendly and kind. I recommend her to everyone I know. I'll never change dentists and honestly I don't think you can get any better than this. Thank you Clay Dental for rebuilding my daughter's courage and confidence, and for being so incredibly wonderful.
J Miranda
3 years ago
I rate this place over 5 stars . The facility is nice and clean. The staff is amazing they are always so nice and helpful. Dr. Calcina is awesome my 2 daughters ages 3 and 10 love their Dentist . My girls are nervous at first as would anybody right? Both of my children walk out w smiles on their faces EVERYTIME . Dr. Calcina is really good w the kiddos , she always makes them feel so comfortable to be there .. she talks to them and takes her time to know them and assures them that it'll all be fine. I Couldn't ask for a better Dentist for my girls ! Thank you Dr. Calcina we love you and your AMAZING crew! Tatianna and Dahlila
Alyssa Diaz
3 years ago
Dr. Maria and her staff are wonderful people, my daughter actually had fun going to the dentist. They were very informative about how to take care of my daughter's teeth and they were very sweet to her. Im happy I chose to make this her main dentistry!
Ashley Chavez
4 years ago
Love this place! Sooo much better than our previous place and my daughter is no longer scared to go to the dentist. We love Maria and her staff. Everyone is so friendly and kind. I recommend her to everyone I know. I'll never change dentists and honestly I don't think you can get any better than this. Thank you Clay Dental for rebuilding my daughter's courage and confidence, and for being so incredibly wonderful.
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