All our doctors are board-certified pediatric dentists specializing in the dental needs of infants, children, adolescents and patients with special health care needs. Board Certification by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry involves completion of completed accredited training and a rigorous voluntary examination process designed to continually validate the knowledge, skills, and experience required to deliver quality patient care to children.
Our doctors are all credentialed and work at both Connecticut Childrens Medical Center and Yale New Haven Childrens Hospital. Our doctors also feel strongly about the importance of education and are faculty members at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine and Yale New Haven School of Medicine where they serve as clinical instructors.
Safety of our patients and team is our number one priority. We offer digital radiography which results in up to a 70% decrease in radiation exposure to patients as compared to traditional dental film. We also hold ourselves to the highest standards for infection control and sterilization center.
Dr. Cristina Santos-Tomas, or Dr. Cristina as her patients know her, is a Board-Certified specialist in Pediatric Dentistry. By specializing in childrens dentistry, her goal is to make every childs visit to the dentist fearless, fun and special. Dr. Cristina is a native of Hartford, Connecticut and a graduate of Northwest Catholic High School. She earned her Bachelors Degree in Biology from Trinity College and went on to attend the University Of Connecticut School Of Dental Medicine.
After obtaining her lifetime goal of becoming a dentist, her love for children led her to specialize in pediatrics and complete an additional two year Pediatric Dental Residency Program at the University of Connecticut and Connecticut Childrens Medical Center. Dr. Cristina served on the clinical teaching staff at Yale New Haven Hospital and Yale School of Medicine for many years and is now part of the faculty of the University Of Connecticut School Of Dental Medicine where she serves as a clinical instructor.
Dr. Cristina is a recipient of many awards and honors such as the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistrys Annual Case Presentation Award and the Pierre Fauchard Academy Award, recognizing dentists for their professionalism, integrity, and ethics. She is also a recipient of the University of Connecticut Dental School Pediatric Dentistry Award and Community Service Award. As a dental student, Dr. Cristina was honored the Award of Excellence by the American Student Dental Association.
She has served as a volunteer for many organizations including Special Olympics-Special Smiles, the Child Health Identification Program (CT-CHIP), the UConn Medical and Dental School Mentor Program and the UConn Dental Campaign to Peru, where she and fellow dentists provided dental care and education to the most impoverished and rural villages of the Amazon.
Dr. Cristina is a member of the American Dental Association, the Connecticut State Dental Association and the Hartford Dental Society. She is also an active member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and a Diplomate to the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.Dr. Cristina is past Vice-President of the Connecticut Society of Pediatric Dentists and currently serves on their executive board.
Dr. Mariya as her patients know her, is a Board Certified specialist in pediatric dentistry. She believes in compassionate, patient centered care. She is dedicated to providing the best dental treatment while giving children a positive outlook on dentistry and oral health.
Dr. Mariya was born and raised in Bulgaria and after graduating high school, came to the United States to pursue a career in healthcare. Dr. Mariya received her Bachelors Degree in Psychology at Hunter College in NYC and completed her dental education at Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine in Long Island, NY, where she obtained her doctorate degree in 2009. Upon graduation, Dr. Mariya received an award for excellence in working with special needs patients.
Dr. Mariya began her career in dentistry as a General Practice Resident at New York Presbyterian HospitalWeill Cornell in Manhattan, where she spent two years treating children and adults. Particularly rewarding was her rotation at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center where she had the opportunity to work with cancer patients. She continued her postdoctoral training and completed a two year Pediatric Dentistry Residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital.
Dr. Mariya is also an active member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and a Diplomate to the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. She also serves as a clinical instructor in pediatric dentistry at Yale New Haven Hospital.
Reviews
Rating 4.9 out of 5 based on 254 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestChrista Dinah
a year ago
Still the best children's dental practice
Pete Coughlin
a year ago
Always a great experience at Newington Childrens Dental. Dr. Christina is excellent.
Kelly Steck
a year ago
As always everyone was amazing!
Rogerio Augusto
a year ago
Great experience with Dr. Santos and staff! It's great place and makes all the kids feel at easy when they are being examed.
Dhanashree Gokhale
a year ago
It was my kid's first visit to the dentist so i am worried about that because he didn't want to go for the check up but once we went their he was feeling so comfortable,now he is asking when is our next appointment .everyone was really amazing,cleanliness is 5 star,Dr is calm, good with kids and very attentive with kids and parents!
Samantha Macke
a year ago
The staff are very friendly and developmentally appropriate with young children. My son had his second visit (3 years old) and the Dental Hygienist was so kind, caring and patient with him. Dr. Cristina is wonderful! She took her time to explain everything to us and made us feel at ease! Can't recommend Newington Children's Dentistry enough!!!
Matt Vechinsky
2 years ago
Extremely friendly service from the first phone call and throughout the entire appointment. Everyone is so kind. The kids get to watch a Disney movie during the check up. The staff explains what they are going to do, whether it's a dental cleaning or x rays before anything is done. We love this place!! 5-stars each and every time!!!!!!!! : )
Tina Dupont
2 years ago
Excellent people , expertise and service, as always!
Melissa Kohlhepp
2 years ago
They are just so wonderful and patient with my very sensitive son
Emily Cummiskey
2 years ago
We had a horrible experience yesterday. My 4 and 3 year old daughters had their 6 month cleaning appointment. They refused to clean my 4 year olds teeth because a cavity was unresolved after refusing to fill it a few months prior. They only wanted to silver cap a baby tooth. Instead of calling me before hand and telling me that they would NOT clean her teeth, they waited until my husband got there with my daughters. They proceeded to clean my 3 year olds teeth and refused to clean my 4 year olds. She cried in the office & again when she got home as we had talked about getting her teeth brushed & cleaned with her sister for days leading up to the appointment. If I had been there I wouldn't have allowed for my three year olds teeth to be clean there either. We will be going elsewhere from now on. They could have cleaned my daughters teeth along side her sister & we would have paid out of pocket if they had given that option. Or they should have called me prior to the appointment to discuss instead of hurting my daughters feelings and making a dental experience bad for her. She couldn't understand why her sisters teeth were being cleaned but they wouldn't cleaned hers. The office should have handled this completely different. We're really disappointed.
Michelle Sepulveda
2 years ago
Amazing Staff. They made my daughters first visit so comfortable and enjoyable.
E Corthell
2 years ago
Always amazing and professional. We love everyone at the dentist
Anansa B
2 years ago
The staff are all great with kids and very kind and patient.
Lauryn Bonanno
2 years ago
NCD is really great and I highly recommend them! Everyone was very nice and so kind especially since they could tell we were pretty stressed out. We don't know anything other than parenting in a pandemic and we didn't think our appointment time through and poorly choose a late morning appointment near lunch/nap time. Learn from our mistake and schedule for first thing in the morning or when you know your kid can handle waiting 15 - 20 mins without losing it! We had Dr. Christina and she was so understanding and made everything look so easy and simple. It's not easy wrangling a two year old and asking them to open wide for people in gowns and masks, it can be pretty scary! For the first time appointment they offer to do everything at once, or speak to you about your child dental health and next steps and an option to do the exam at a later date, or the exam first and then talk on the phone later. Super flexible and incredibly understanding which is nice since every child has different temperaments and tolerance levels when they're that young. They have TV's in the private rooms and open area to distract kids, everyone has so much patience. They will let your child explore and get used to the area and the items in the room while you and the doctor carry on conversation. If you're nervous your child will not be able to handle the open exam area well you can request one of the private rooms instead. We are so happy with our choice of NCD and trust our kid will receive the best care.
Yanitza Mala
2 years ago
This is the only dentist kids have had since they were born. They are now 10 and 8 and look forward to going to the dentist. The staff is friendly and thoroughly explain everything! The office is clean and inviting! We love Newington Children's Dentistry!
sakurameijn barbie
2 years ago
Staff are great and pleasant. My daughter had oral surgery and it was successful. Dr. Stephanie was very informative regarding the procedure and reassured me that my daughter will be safe. Dr. Christina was very helpful with handling the insurance and kept me informed with everything. Thank you so much for all of your hard work!!!
Easton Lawson Jr
2 years ago
Chrissy was absolutely amazing with our son Trey amazing experience.
Jenna Bach
2 years ago
All staff provided an exceptional experience for me and my son.
Jessymar Rosario
2 years ago
It was my son's first visit at Newington Children's Dentistry and it was great! The whole staff, from the secretaries to the dental assistant an dentist, are all so sweet & wonderful. My son enjoyed watching Netflix while he had his dental cleaning. Great office for children!
Jessica Lara
2 years ago
So glad our new insurance covers this place again. The staff is so nice and welcoming. The Dr takes time to address all concerns with informative detail. The building is clean and decorated perfectly for children. I would recommend this group to anyone looking for a Dentist for their little one.
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