Dr. Shamik S. Vakil, also called Dr. V, was born in Houston, TX and grew up in Cleveland, TN where he graduated from Cleveland High School. Dr. V went to college at Samford University where he completed dual undergraduate degrees, earning a bachelors degree in biology and in political science. He then served on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC and abroad as a Congressional Fellow working with the International Foundation. He went on to earn his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
While completing a two-year post-doctoral residency at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Dentistry, he also earned a Specialty Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry and a Master of Science (MS). His residency training gave him the opportunity to gain additional skills in pediatric medicine, sedation, anesthesia, orthodontics, and behavior management.
Outside of the office, Dr. V enjoys traveling, scuba diving, hiking, concerts, cooking, and is an avid car and motorcycle enthusiast! He is also a proud supporter of all Charlotte sports teams, especially the Carolina Panthers!
Dr. Allison McMahon is a Chicago native who moved to the Charlotte area in the fall of 2020. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, graduating cum laude with distinction in cell and structural biology. Dr. Allison received her Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) where she graduated with honors before continuing on at UIC for her specialty training in pediatric dentistry alongside Dr. Vakil. She enjoys working with children and strongly believes in early childhood dental care to build a lasting foundation of lifelong oral health.
I love being a pediatric dentist because I have the opportunity to really empower these kids to take care of their smiles, setting a solid foundation for a healthy smile for life. Its awesome to get to know my patients and see them grow up and accomplish such amazing things with confident smiles!
Dr. Ojas Parikh was born in Washington, DC and raised in Maryland where he earned his BS in Biology at the University of Maryland, College Park. Go Terps! He then had the privilege of living in Mumbai, India for two years studying comparative philosophy prior to dental school. Following his adventure in India, Dr. Parikh received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree (DDS) from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry earning three different awards for his leadership and service to the school and community. He then completed his postdoctoral specialty training in pediatric dentistry at the Virginia Commonwealth University, where he also earned his Master of Science in Dentistry (MSD) for his research in moderate oral sedation drug regimens for pediatric dentistry patients.
Dr. Parikh is a board-certified pediatric dentist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. He currently holds hospital privileges at Carolinas Healthcare System at University and Main Charlotte Hospitals, as well as the Valleygate Surgery Center.
Dr. Parikh and his wife Maitry, who is also a dentist, have a baby girl, Kaavya. Outside of the office, Dr. Parikh loves spending quality time with his family, exploring new restaurants, traveling, playing the Tabla (an Indian percussion instrument), and reading and listening to audiobooks.
Reviews
Rating 4.8 out of 5 based on 146 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestTion Askew
a year ago
My kids had a good experience!
Laurie Watson
2 years ago
Dr Vakil and his team are absolutely amazing. He has such compassion and knowledge. He addresses every aspect and is proactive in seeing that each child has the best professionals in anesthesia, and nursing staff, so that he can focus on ...
Heather McAuliffe
2 years ago
My kids love going to Growing Smiles in Huntersville. The staff is very friendly - great with my kids. Dr. V is amazing! Great experience every visit.
Laurie Watson
2 years ago
Dr Vakil and his team are absolutely amazing. He has such compassion and knowledge. He addresses every aspect and is proactive in seeing that each child has the best professionals in anesthesia, and nursing staff, so that he can focus on the details of the surgical procedure at hand. He performed a Laser Frenectomy for a severe lip and tongue tie {ankyloglossia}, assuring the greatest safety and success for our sweet princess. He explains every aspect preoperatively and postoperatively. Very kind and patient, as were the anesthesiologist and nurse. Front desk were wonderful, as well. We feel that his care has given her her voice! We are elated and beyond thankful! I HIGHLY recommend!
Mack Frizzell
2 years ago
My grandchildren seem to like the dentist for the most part other than their cavities getting worked on :/ but that's normal. Would definitely recommend Dr. Vakhil. Thank you! -The Frizzells
Jason Stokes
2 years ago
Everyone here is always super friendly and professional. The dentist and hygienists are great with kids, and we are usually in and out without a lot of wait time. Highly recommend.
David Murphy
2 years ago
We love Growing Smiles. They truly care about our kids and have been amazing with them.
Anita Barbee
2 years ago
I took my grandson to get his 6 month cleaning this week. They took us just as soon as we got there. The Hygienist was very pleasant and professional. She made Peyton feel very comfortable. The entire staff is very professional and caring. When Dr. Vakil came in to check on Peyton and we told him that Peyton would probably get his braces on next month. Dr. Vakil suggested that Peyton use a certain toothpaste at night starting now before he gets his braces and continue. to use it during the time he has them on. Dr Vakil has a great chair side manner. He cares about his patients.
Teacher Rachel
2 years ago
My child has been in and out of hospitals since birth. So, naturally any kind of doctor's office makes my toddler uncomfortable and causes him anxiety. Everytime I have taken him here they have never been as patient with him and his crying as all his other doctors. They seem pushy and annoyed. They don't try to talk to him and explain what is happening. As a teacher I know hearing kids cry can be hard and frustrating at times, so I've given them the benefit of the doubt. However, this morning my mother fell out of the shower and hit her head. She had a concussion. I called them from the ER to let them know I needed to reschedule. She was visiting from out of town so I was literally the only person who could go with her. I had my two young kids with me. It was stressful and when I called them they didn't care about anything other than the fact that I "left a huge gap in their schedule". I have never canceled with them before. I'm always on time. They told me I couldn't reschedule my kids on the same day again. It didn't matter my circumstances or that we've been loyal and good patients before. It didn't matter how hard that was going to be on me to bring my two small children to their office on two separate occasions. So overall, they really seem to be a business that only cares about their business and not the people they see. Which is fine. I just won't be taking my kids back there.
Tiffany Norris
2 years ago
The staff is always so nice. Both of my kids are seen at the same exact time together and it's always nothing but laughs and giggles. My kids love going to the dentist. Highly recommend!
Michelle He
2 years ago
Dr. V and his team are amazing. My daughter is not very fond of dentists and he made sure that not only was she comfortable but so was I. Many doctors forget about the parents but he didn't and that within itself builds trust. We were in and out within no time and she's already asking to go back. The friendly attitude of the entire staff was amazing. I would highly recommend this practice! Now I only wish they cared for adults as well .
Tiffany Osselborn
2 years ago
It could be better now it's been a while since we've been here and overall the staff is very nice but I've been meaning to review for a while... very displeased in how they pushed me to get work done on my Daughter that she didn't need. I had asked for no fluoride treatment because it wasn't covered under insurance, they did it anyway before I even knew what they were doing and then they offered a $500 tooth sealant that wasn't covered, I repeatedly said no but they made me sign the quote any way as "proof I received it" it was basically agreeing to the price.... I refuse to go back because I fully believe they will put this sealant on without me knowing because I signed the quote. Will not be back.
Audrea Owusu
2 years ago
Absolutely love this place. They are so patient with my child and she loves going!
Danni Rocha
2 years ago
Amazing professionals - caring - honest - called a day after surgery to see how patient was doing. Very thoughtful of them! :)
charles saenz
2 years ago
Growing Smiles was able to accommodate us on short notice. Friendly and professional staff put my child at ease.
Shiva Shankar Reddy Asi
2 years ago
Dr. Vakil and his staff are very good at their job, very affectionate and caring with the kids. My son was terrified to go to a dentist but Dr. Vakil and his team removed that fear at his first visit itself. I would highly recommend this place and it is very kid friendly.
Jenn Goonan
2 years ago
Great atmosphere and friendly staff.
Jennifer Hiney
2 years ago
I was extremely nervous about my daughter's dental procedure, she's only 18 months old. But from the moment I walked into the office I was set at ease. The dental assistant, Anesthesiologist assistant, anesthesiologist, and dentist all came out and spoke to me individually to explain the procedure and assure me everything would be ok. During the procedure I was updated multiple times and was given detailed instructions on how to take care of her after the procedure. After we got home, I received a follow up call to check on my daughter and how she was feeling. I could not have had a better experience and I'm so thankful to the staff for making me feel so comfortable during this process.
Destiny Barrino
2 years ago
The best kids dentistry , very friendly and welcoming. My daughter loves going into the environment they Cater to kids so well with all different movie characters on the walls and kid tv shows playing . Even have tv on The ceiling of the dentist rooms and cocomelon was playing as a mother you know your kids go to is now becoming cocomelon so therefore she was super excited. I love growing smiles and I can't wait to take my daughter back in 6 months.
Heidi
2 years ago
My daughter's very first dental appointment could not have been better! The staff and doctors were so knowledgeable and explained everything along the way. The office was very clean, they took appropriate PPE measures and the space was so child friendly. I am so happy we found them!
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