We are committed to providing the children in our community with comprehensive, preventative dental care. First Smiles Dental specializes in the treatment of infants, children, adolescents, and those with special needs. Our clinical team is comprised of dedicated doctors, assistants, and support staff with years of experience in the treatment of children.
Since 1980, we have provided comprehensive dental care for kids in McHenry County. Our focus is on the prevention of dental disease through early visits and education. We encourage parents to take an active role in the oral health of their children and look forward to welcoming you into our practice at First Smiles Dental.
Pleasant visits to the dental office promote the establishment of trust and confidence in your child that will last a lifetime. Our goal, along with our staff, is to help all children feel good about visiting the dentist and teach them how to care for their teeth.
Your childs first visit is important. It can be helpful for both you and your child to understand what will happen on that first visit. Our goal at First Smiles Dental is to help all children feel good about visiting the dentist and teach them how to care for their teeth so they last a lifetime.
Dr. Ariadna Torres-Gorena earned her dental degree in Bolivia, her home country. After moving to the United States, she completed her Masters degree and certificate in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics from Indiana University in 2008. She also completed a post-graduate fellowship in Craniofacial and Surgical Orthodontics at Indiana University and Riley Hospital for Children.
After graduation, Dr. Torres-Gorena accepted a teaching position at the Indiana University Orthodontic Program. In 2011, Dr. Torres-Gorena became board certified with the American Board of Orthodontics, as a demonstration of her own pursuit of continued proficiency and excellence.
When not at work, Dr. Torres-Gorena loves being with her family and exploring her new home area. She loves to go camping, watching a good movie, or taking a long walk downtown. She also enjoys reading a good book, cooking new recipes, and knitting.
Reviews
Rating 4.6 out of 5 based on 114 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestChristina P
a year ago
Listen, my kid was terrified to go to the dentist due to past bad experiences. He was crying in the car because he didn't want to go. He got there and seen the fish tank just like in finding Nemo and that helped him calm down a bit. When it was time for him to go in and get xrays done, let me just say Monica was soooo patient and kind. She seen he was starting to cry and got down on his level and walked him through the steps, amazing! He was also terrified to lay back in the chair, again she showed him what she was going to go, let him feel the tools and reassured him multiple times. Dentist came in and he was great with him, my son normally wouldn't open him mouth because he was thinking they were going to pull a tooth but he was able to get in there, count his teeth and use tools! I am very pleased that they took the time and helped him be brave! Thank you so much!
Gabi McDonald
a year ago
Wonderful with my son!
Kathleen O'Herren-Huston
2 years ago
Great kid's dentist office! Staff is very kid friendly and so are the Dentists! My son loves the fish tank and TV - calms his nerves before he is taken to a room!
Sean Niehoff
2 years ago
We love this office. The staff and Dr. Weinstein are so great with our daughter. I highly recommend this office if you have a child. They are the best our child has gone to by far.
Karla Zepeda
2 years ago
It was my sons first dental visit today, he is 5yrs old non verbal Autistic so he is sensitive to touch sometimes. My son really liked the space he loves fish so he was super happy when he seen they had a fish tank, the staff was really nice and understanding from the moment we walked in. Dr. Weinstein was really patient and helped my son get comfortable with him. So happy we found First Smiles Dental!
Colleen Vivona
2 years ago
Both my boys love their Dentist here they are very t thorough and they explain what needs to be done to the children and the parents which I feel more comfortable When they tell the kiddos step by what needs to be done. Makes their experience a happy one.
Iryna L.
2 years ago
Dr.Weinstein is a really professional! My son 2y.o had first teeth cleaning. I was worried that he will cry a lot but doctor did it super fast and qualitatively!! At the end of procedure my son got a gift from doctor and some stickers, and was really happy))) Dr explained me everything and gave recommendations!! All staff is very friendly and positive! Office is nice and super clean! Highly recommended as first dental experience for your kids!
Megan Beinlich
2 years ago
Always like coming here. Front desk always nice and helpful and we rarely have to wait to get taken back. All the dentists and dental assistants are so patient and kind. Also a very clean dental office. Hard to find such a good dentist that takes state insurance. So glad we found them.
Whitney Brown
2 years ago
We were behind on appointments for my son due to COVID and this was my daughter's first trip. Everyone from reception, hygienists, to the dentist were extremely nice to my kiddos and myself. Was expecting some lectures because we were behind, but everyone was understanding and there was no lecturing. Dr. Weinstein was extremely nice and personable with the kids- he made all of us feel comfortable. My son does have to come back for a filling and because everyone was so kind, I feel 100% confident that they will do a great job when we return.
Cecilia Quispe Vega
2 years ago
If your kid is afraid, nervous or anxious, look for Byron he is the best! Very kind, gentle, patient and made my daughter feel comfortable and stop crying. He is an angel with kids.
Deanna Aitkenhead
2 years ago
My son needed some extensive orthodontic work done and we were referred to this office. They have been so great in explaining each step to him as they go, being gentle, and informing me of things I need to know about the process. We have been going to this office for years and it always has been a pleasant experience!
Agnieszka Wisniewski
2 years ago
Called on 2/17/22 to schedule an appointment and we were given a date for a visit of 4/7/22 at 9 am. Truly great availability. Highly recommend it
Jessica Calderon-Rico
2 years ago
Horrible experiences repeatedly with receptionist "Melissa." She is extremely rude, inpatient, and lacks customer service skills. Rudely interrupts when speaking to her regarding your child and their care. Extremely uneducated. No manners whatsoever. Please improve the training with your front desk staff, as they directly communicate with your patients, and a give terrible impression of your clinic.
Suzanne Konior
2 years ago
Both the dentist and the dental tech were very patient and kind with my daughter. They explained how everything would go, and made her first dentist visit go quickly. It made the whole experience less stressful for her and I. Definitely recommend.
Ashley
2 years ago
I tried to schedule an appointment earlier for my 6 year old son. The receptionist who I spoke with was extremely rude. First, I was put on two very long holds. In the middle of talking she very bruptly interrupted, told me to hold and once she came back to the phone within a few seconds of talking once again made me hold. Once she finally came back to the phone she proceeded to tell me the first appointment was not only a consult, but also to determine if my child would be a good fit to be taken on as a client. I don't understand what that would mean.. he is a child who needs a dentist. From what I understand this is a pediatric dental office. I said no thank you and I would find somewhere else. She didn't seem too concerned I think that her goal from the start was to get me off the phone. With all the pediatric dental offices in the area it wasn't hard to get him in elsewhere.
Jeff G
2 years ago
Very friendly staff, went out of their way to make the kids feel comfortable. Very knowledgeable and went the extra step to make sure we were kept in the loop on everything.
Shari Kagan
2 years ago
My son just started the process for braces, the staff at First Smiles has been amazing! They explained everything to him and walked me through our options step by step. I was very impressed with how often they checked with my son to ensure his comfort and understanding. I'm so glad this is where we decided to go for his braces.
Michelle Kott
2 years ago
We absolutely love it here! They really are the nicest team we have ever been to. We have always had great experiences here but today made it even better. It was my daughters birthday and they gave her a special goody bag and the whole office came together and sang for her! Truly amazing!
Anne Smith
2 years ago
This dental visit was our first and last here. First I want to say, the hygienist was absolutely sweet and lovely, the dentist was very good with my 4.5 year old son. That being said, from top to bottom the experience for me was awful. I was shamed by the receptionist for not taking my son to the dentist over and over, even when I tried to explain that my mother is a hygienist and often looks at his teeth and advises me, my kids do not drink any juice or any gummy candies etc. she over and over kept criticizing me in front of my son for not bringing him. And over all she was unfriendly on top of not explaining the paperwork I was supposed to be filling out. Then the dentist did the same exact thing but WORSE. My son does not like to be touched by strangers so he was very wiggley and upset during the exam, I knew he would be. She said "that's why we suggest you bring them from babies, if you had been doing that, he wouldn't be acting this way." I'm his mother, I do not need that kind of input from a stranger that knows ZERO about us. There were at least 4-5 more comments like that before we left. By the way, this entire time I was being pushed by the receptionist and dentist to make him cleaning appointments.. over and over. I understand it's also a business and they want people coming back but maybe they should think about that before chastising mothers and care givers for making their own choices with their children. We will not be going back for any reason.
Sofia
2 years ago
I was very pleased with our recent visit. My son is very afraid of needles and has sensory issues. He needed to have a cavity filled and the staff was so great! They took the extra time before the appointment to walk me through the process and options and answered all my questions so that I was able to prepare my son for the procedure. The staff also did an awesome job of talking my son through the procedure and kept him calm the whole time! They definitely turned a potentially horrible experience into a positive one for my son! Thanks so much!
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