Koala Dental Care

KOALA Dental Care - Pediatric dentist in Buffalo, MN
20 1st Ave S, Buffalo, MN 55313

Dr. David followed in his father's footsteps and graduated from the University of Minnesota. After completing his pediatric residency, he participated in a rotation through the Gillette Specialty Children's Hospital in their outpatient and inpatient areas. This provided the opportunity to spend additional time with the cleft palate and craniofacial team, and Dr. David has since joined their team as a staff clinician.

When Dr. David is not working at K.O.A.L.A Dental Care or Gillette Children's Hospital, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, two daughters and one son. They also enjoy their two dogs. He combines family life with his other passion, sports. Together they attend Gopher games, ski and enjoy the outdoors.

Dr. Rao is a Golden Gopher for life! She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Minnesota. She then received a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. Her love for working with children led to an Advanced Education Program in Pediatric Dentistry at the Children's Hospital of Buffalo and at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine in Buffalo, New York. Dr. Rao received extensive experience in hospital dentistry, IV and conscious sedation. She is a Board-Certified Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Rao believes in the mission of organized dentistry and its role in advocating for the public and those who serve them. She serves as current Chair of the New Dentist Committee and represents the upper Midwest on the American Dental Association's (ADA) Council on Membership. She was selected for the 2018-2019 class of the ADA's Institute of Diversity in Leadership and is working closely to bring the Mission of Mercy to West Central Minnesota.Her passion for teaching led to her becoming clinical adjunct faculty at the UofM School of Dentistry in 2015.

A Midwesterner at heart, she enjoys spending time with her husband and son (and pet rabbit, Pierre), being outdoors, Twins baseball, Gopher hockey and football! She's always on the hunt for the best pizza and tacos!

Dr. Emma is originally from St. Cloud, Minnesota. She attended the University of Minnesota for her undergraduate studies where she received a B.S. in Biology. Dr. Emma then spent one year teaching 4th-8th grade students math at Kennedy Elementary in St. Joseph, Minnesota. Dental school brought her all the way to Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts, earning her Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry degree. She then returned to the University of Minnesota to complete a specialty program in pediatric dentistry.

Outside of dentistry, Dr. Emma enjoys spending time on the lakes, with family and friends, and with her Australian Shepherd, Alfonso. Dr. Emma is excited to begin her career at K.O.A.L.A. Dental Care alongside her lifelong mentors, Dr. John Collier and Dr. David Collier. She looks forward to serving the community in which she grew up.

Payment for professional services is due at the time dental treatment is provided. This includes deductibles and co-insurance. We accept cash, personal checks, and most major credit cards. We also take Care Credit.

For patients that require dental treatment, we will customize a treatment plan unique to your child. Our treatment coordinator will review the recommended treatment and the estimation of your dental insurance reimbursement.

Our mission is through education, informed decisions and mutual respect, to provide the highest quality of pediatric dental care in the most enjoyable atmosphere. We are dedicated to excellence through improving our skills, furthering our education and building relationships.

Our pediatric dental office has the latest state-of-the-art equipment to make sure your child has access to everything he or she needs at their visits. We have desinged our offices with children in mind- offering a fun, comfortable environment which helps ensure

We pride ourselves in practicing ethically and honestly, always taking the time to explain our findings. We always consider all appropriate treatment options and try to present the most conservative plans, when possible. It is important for us to be helpful to our patients and answer any questions you might have regarding your childs dental care.

Starting early with prevention and good habits will help build a life-long smile and relationship with your pediatric dentist. Thank you for trusting us with one of the most joyful gifts a child has to offer, their smile!

We are here for you and your child. From the time your child grows their first tooth until they are ready to move on to an adult dentist, our doctors and their team will help care for and protect your childs smile. Because children are so different from adults, we take a unique approach to every patient. We treat our patients as if they were our own and we want each visit to be a fun, educational visit.

Reviews

Rating 3.9 out of 5 based on 10 reviews

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Ryan Elke
2 years ago
Love this dentist. My daughter never complains about pain. Quick yet thorough. Friendly, welcoming staff! Super glad that she can go until she is 18! I thought there was a cutoff at age 12. Books, toys, movies, Xbox, awesome! No toys or Xbox right now because of CoVid... Neat and clean atmosphere. Other people complaining on yelp about not being able to go in the back need to teach their children independence. My daughter started when she was 5 and has been fine every time. It's an operating room, you can't be in there for the sake of distraction, getting in the way, and a health hazard. Can't have 10 parents in the back room where they are trying to work. Also can't baby your child forever. Toughen them up! This is dentistry not brain surgery, let go of their hand, otherwise they will fear the dentist for years!


Ryan McDonald
2 years ago
My daughter needed a crown. Within a few months, the adhesive on the crown failed, so we returned with the crown for a repair. We were charged $178.54 to re-glue the crown back on. It took less than 5 minutes. I called and challenged the bill, and we were given an $80 courtesy discount. I called a second time, spoke with Stephanie in billing, who let me know we still need to pay the final $95. I clarified that this was 100% a Koala issue, and I should not have to pay for inferior products. She kept repeating there is $95 due. I had really hoped to find a resolution, as we like the location and service.


Kalel Kohal
2 years ago
Well after waiting and waiting December of 19 I finally thought my child was gonna finally get the help he needs for his mouth! As he was referred to them. And there was a plan put in place already! The appointment was made and everything was set! Nope they totally changed what they wanted to do and didn't do a thing! But tell me to come back on 3-6 month!


Lauretta Nichols
3 years ago
My son has been going here for several years. Never had a single problem. Both the front end and dental staff have always been friendly and patient, and Dr. John is very knowledgeable and kind! Appointments are always quick and easy! Highly recommended!


Jami Beggs
3 years ago
We love koala


Trudy Reierson
4 years ago
Dr. John is great with the kids, very neat and clean and very timely with the appointments


Dan E
6 years ago
Very nice and helpful people. Was running late to have my boys' teeth cleaned, and the folks at Koala dental we're SOOO nice and understanding.


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Find the best dentist in: Minnesota / Wright County / Buffalo / 55313