I am devoted to taking the scare element out of dental care for kids, and to teaching them that dentistry is not the bad thingthat their parents may have led them to believe. Everything we do here is designed to make it as easy as possible for the patient, including an office that is specially designed with kids in mind.
As a board-certified pediatric dentist, I attend more than 50 hours of continuing education courses per year to stay on top of the latest developments, changes in treatment paradigms, and dental materials so I know I am delivering the best dentistry.
I received special training in hospital dentistry for special needs and handicapped children, and children who receivebone marrow and liver transplants. I also have a special interest in sports-related traumas and the re-implantation of teeth, and have implemented a program to make mouthguards available to children involved in all sports.
Originally from suburban Buffalo, New York, I am a loyal Bills and Sabres fan. I now live in Shelton with my wifeLori, who has stuck by me from Buffalo to Nebraska, and now Connecticut. We have two girls, Sydney and Mackenzie, both in college;a son, Colin, in high school;and a rescue dog, Riley.
When the kids were smaller, I coached soccer, baseball, and girls lacrosse, and was involved at the schools FathersClub. Now that theyre grown, I enjoy downhill skiing with my family, while the rest of the year Im running, hiking, swimming, or pedaling on my bike.
I feel very strongly that every child have a dental home a place where he or shecan go for comfortable, compassionate dental care. Getting children to feel comfortable at the dentist at an early age can make all the difference. These initial encounters set the stage for their future dental health attitude.
As a pediatric dentist and orthodontist, I have the opportunity to meet our youngest patients and get them comfortable at the dentist from the very first visit. Then I get the privilege to monitor their growth and development, and if they need future braces, help ease them through that process that culminates in a beautiful, cavity-free smile. It really is a joy to see how our patients grow and develop into exceptional young adults.
Advances in the fields of pediatric dentistry and orthodontics are constantly happening. As experts in our fields, we recognize our patients look to us to have the answers and provide the most exceptional care possible. Through continuing education, we enjoy bringing new ideas to our practice for the benefit of our patients.
My husbandTimand I have three children and a dog named Teddy. When I am not at work, you can find me reading or with my family. We have fun together no matter what we are doing;we love biking, walking the dog, and just being together.
As a board-certified pediatric dentist, I do everything I can to make a child's visit to the dentist as easy and comfortable as possible! I had wonderful experiences with my own dentists growing up, and I draw upon those experiences to shape my own treatment philosophy. My goal is to provide excellent dental care with compassion and respect. I strive to give every childa positive experience at the dentist because it lays the groundwork for a lifetime of great oral health.
I strongly believe in the importance of continuing education. Our field is constantly evolving, and it is essential to keep learning and building upon the foundation of my specialty training to give my patients the best and most current treatment possible.
My husband, Matt, and I live in Fairfield with our daughter, Georgiaand mini goldendoodle, Teddy Roosevelt. I'm an avid reader of all genres, and I'm always looking for new book suggestions! My newest hobby is photography, which has become a fun creative outlet. My husband and I love to travel, and one of our favorite places to visit is Walt Disney World.
As a pediatric dentist, it is my passion to form partnerships in oral health with families based on the mutual goal of raising happy and healthy children. I accomplish this by making every effort to create a fun and engaging environment that results in positive memories for my patients. These positive attitudes can then be carried forward, setting a child up for a lifetime of success at the dentist.
I also understand that not all children are the same. Through my training at Boston Children's Hospital, I have gained extensive experience in managing the smiles of children who are not typically developing or who may require an alternative approach to our dental visits. I have had the privilege of learning from and treating a wide range of medically complex children and draw on these experiences to provide the highest quality care for our patients.
I hold the view that dentistry is a sub-specialty of medicine and believe we must integrate the newest research and evidence into our practice to treat our patients responsibly. With that in mind, I dedicate a significant portion of time outside of chairside smiling to formal continuing education and self-directed learning. But please, if you happen to see me at a local coffee shop with my nose in a journal, don't hesitate to stop over and say hello!
I live in Fairfield County with my wife, Gina, and our dog, Malcolm. We enjoy all of the outdoor activities that CT has to offer and spend a great deal of time continuously planning our next delicious meal. I am a musician at heart and am usually involved in some sort of creative project in my spare time.
Reviews
Rating 4.8 out of 5 based on 124 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestTara Oconnell
a year ago
Great dentist!!
Ashley Thompson
a year ago
Always always a great experience for my kids!!n they are always comfortable
Katie Miller
a year ago
The staff here are amazing. Always thorough and friendly. My children ask to go to the dentist throughout the year because they love it at Commerce Park Dentistry!
dorothy Denis
2 years ago
The staff were very attentive and the dentist followed on my child after he add an extraction, An amazing experience!!!
Dee S
2 years ago
I have 2 special need children. I go to the Huntington office. My daughter just had her first cavity filled. Dr. Dan and Megan worked so well as a team. They worked quickly efficient to complete the task. It reminded me of a pit crew quick and precise. They used words that were easily understood and when it was time for the needle it was hidden out of sight. I don't even know if my daughter realized it was a shot. They use Nitric Oxide to assist in a pain free procedure. Thumbs up to them all. It actually resulted in a pleasant experience not like when I grew up. Thanks, Denise
Natallia O'Leary
2 years ago
We are very happy with this office and been coming here over 13 years. All assistants and doctors are great, friendly, knowledgeable and very friendly; great atmosphere. I would highly recommend this office.
Charles Schmidt
2 years ago
From the minute we walked in the door the staff was tremendous and made my daughter feel comfortable. The procedure was very quick and done with kindness. The best was the follow up call at night to see if there were any questions. Overall a super experience and that's why we choose to go there.
Kev D
2 years ago
First time we went it was fine, but the lack of communication is inexcusable for a business. Had to pull my daughter out of school for a bit for this appt, as well as use some time off work to bring her. We get to the appointment early, they say they will be with us shortly, then call to tell us to come in. When we get inside, the lady said they no longer accept our insurance but can still see the patient and bill us directly. Nobody thought to inform us that you no longer accept our insurance provider? She said I should have gotten an email, which sounded more like a cop out excuse. I got the appointment reminder emails they had no problem sending. Now we have to find a new dentist, which messes up her scheduled cleanings. Might want to check before your next visit to make sure they won't try to pull this on you when you get there. I'll at least give 2 because they hygienists the kids saw prior were both sweet and calming but front desk is a mess. They also had no appointment scheduled for our other child, who went at the same time on the last visit. We have no idea why that never got entered.
Nicole Moore
2 years ago
I brought my daughter here for her first dentist appointment ever and was very nervous about how it would go. The staff was exceptional and made her very comfortable, the entire experience was so enjoyable. You can tell the staff genuinely enjoy working with children. Very glad we choose this office and we will definitely be back!
katia mariano
2 years ago
We have been using commerce park for 8 years for all 4 of our kids and we are very happy . They really have a way with the kids . They are very accommodating.
A S
2 years ago
Awesome place for kids!! The staff is very professional and nice. Dr Ritter is amazing. Everyone is GREAT!!
Shane Guaglianone
2 years ago
The staff is very kind and knows what they are doing! I always have a pleasant time while being there
Danielle Marseglia
2 years ago
Commerce Park Children's Dentistry is wonderful. They are patient, caring, and go above and beyond for their patients. They make kids feel welcomed and meet them where they are. Highly recommend.
krystal g
2 years ago
Wonderful! Loved everything about this place. It was my daughters first appointment during COVID and the office was clean and we felt safe and cared for. Every one in the office was so nice and cared. Lisa went above and beyond and even with a computer glitch she was calm and went above and beyond. Love it so glad I chose this office!!
Azure Dee Sleicher
2 years ago
Commerce Park is so great with children. Good experience overall.
Stan Zazula
2 years ago
Always a pleasant experience for my family. They make every one of my girls feel welcome and safe and explain every step. They're following excellent procedures during COVID and I highly recommend you join.
robin murphy
2 years ago
All my children have had bands at Commerce ... The ortho work is top of the line .
Rich Baldino
2 years ago
We always have the best experiences here--highly recommend!!
Sophanaid Chin-Bradley
2 years ago
Commerce Park Children's Dentist personnel are so calm, kid friendly, and inviting. They make teeth hygiene fun. I wish they were my adult dental clinic!
Donna Engleman
2 years ago
It was a great experience. My daughter sat down the dentist himself did the cleaning. We were in and out in no time. Thank you Dr. S.
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