Our passion is to make a lasting impact in the lives of the children and families we treat. Dr. Kari and the Panther Pride at Panther Pediatric Dentistry strive to make a difference by serving as a resource and support system for parents and caregivers so their children can achieve optimal oral and overall health. Dr. Kari says, Quality over quantity! We will move at a pace that allows for treatment to be completed safely and efficiently. If a child is unable to tolerate treatment in the office, we can explore other treatment options that are available, including dental surgery, so that your child grows to be less fearful of the dental office. We want children and their families to be Panther Proud of the S.M.I.L.E. they receive from Dr. Kari and the team at Panther Pediatric Dentistry.
At Panther Pediatric Dentistry, we treat children from 0 to 12 years of age. We commit to providing high-quality pediatric dentistry while serving as an advocate for your child. In alignment with established guidelines, we use a host of behavior guidance techniques to allow us to safely deliver comprehensive dental care. We aim to motivate children to play a role in their oral health routine and help them take care of their teeth and gums. Our goal is to give your child a solid foundation that will carry them into adulthood.
As your child matures and receives the majority of their adult teeth, we will begin transitioning them into the care of a general dentist. If your child has dental needs that exceed the scope of our services as pediatric dental providers, we may suggest transitioning to a general dentist before the age of 12 years. These needs can include more complex treatments like root canals, extractions of permanent teeth, crowns, and implants. As our adolescent patients transition to and establish an ongoing relationship with a general dentist, we hope to have provided a solid foundation that will encourage good oral hygiene habits long after they have left our pediatric practice.
She graduated Valedictorian from Euclid High School in 2002 and later attended the University of Pittsburgh. Both schools had blue and gold colors and panther mascots so Dr. Kari knew right away what she wanted to name her practice. Dr. Kari is excited to return and establish her first pediatric dental practice in her hometown of Euclid, OH where she will help all patients and guests S.M.I.L.E. with Panther Pride!
At the age of twelve, Dr. Kari began to consider dentistry as a career. Her father, who was a trained dental assistant in the U.S. Air Force, encouraged her to Go be the doctor! Years of shadowing dentists and participating in summer programs throughout high school and college reaffirmed her decision to become a dentist. After graduating Valedictorian from Euclid High School in 2002, Dr. Kari received a full academic scholarship to attend the University of Pittsburgh.
In 2004, Dr. Kari enrolled in Pitts Semester at Sea program during which she experienced many communities around the world with little or no access to dental care. Upon visiting an orphanage in Tanzania, she was overwhelmed at the sight of children with no parents and limited access to basic oral health care. Later during their tour of the Khayelitsha township in South Africa their tour guide said, when someone in our community makes it, they dont just leave to better themselves, they return to reinvest in the community so that someone else can have a chance. Those words stuck with Dr. Kari and began to shift her personal and professional goals. Her semester at sea awakened a deep love for Africa, a passion for community dentistry, and servant leadership. She made a promise to the children and to herself that she would one day return to Africa as a dentist.
After college, Dr. Kari earned several scholarships to return home and attend Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine (CWRU) where she earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree in 2010 and completed her specialty training at Rainbow Babies & Childrens Hospital (RB&C) in 2012. She has been an adjunct faculty member at CWRU and RB&C since 2012 and served as the Dental Director of the Rainbow Center for Women and Children in Clevelands Midtown neighborhood.
In 2014, Dr. Kari was able to keep her promise and return to Africa as a volunteer pediatric dentist with the Global Dental Relief non-profit organization. She spent two weeks in Kenya at the PCEA Kikuyu Hospital Dental Clinic where she was once again touched by the number of children suffering from a lack of dental care but this time, she was able to serve and help them. In four service visits to Kenya, Dr. Kari has administered dental treatment to over 2,000 children, ensuring that every child has a happy, healthy, and confident smile.
The words of her tour guide from South Africa during the Semester at Sea experience still rang through Dr. Karis head. The concept of reinvesting in the community you came from resonated with Dr. Kari and inspired her to return to her hometown of Euclid, OH to establish Panther Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Kari is honored and overjoyed about this season in her career as a practice owner and is excited to continue building lifelong relationships with her patients and her community. Dr. Kari is married to Mr. Vincent, whom she met on the many service trips to Kenya and he is now part of the Panther Pride. When she is not taking care of childrens smiles, Dr. Kari enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, planning an event, teaching health care professionals about pediatric dentistry, or enjoying some of the many gems around town in Northeast Ohio.
Reviews
Rating 4.8 out of 5 based on 212 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestWanda C
a year ago
Love my child dental team! Awesome work.
jasmine johnson
a year ago
Dr Kari and staff are very knowledgeable and caring!
Jerrika Agbayani
a year ago
Great dentist all around! From front desk to my kids being seen by the doctor! My girls are comfortable coming here because they are warmly welcomed and handled with care!
Melanie Chavers
a year ago
I LOVE Dr.Cunningham! She is always so sweet and she makes my son feel so comfortable. I highly recommend! I'm a little jealous she can't be my dentist lol
Joanne Devine
a year ago
The Panther team was able to get my daughter in the same day I called . As soon as I checked in the team made me and my daughter feel so welcome. They are the nicest group of people you could meet, very kind and caring. Thank you so much for taking care of my little princess.
Julie G
a year ago
Simply amazing. Staff is incredibly friendly. They make sure you are well informed about everything that's going to happen and what to expect before and after anything they do. Dr. Cunningham is super friendly as well and just a comfortable atmosphere 5 stars
Brittney Everett
a year ago
I felt very comfortable here and not at all shamed which I have felt at other dentists!
Leona Putnam
a year ago
I love the staff, SmileMD, and Dr. Kari! The atmosphere is very relaxing and enjoyable especially for children. The office was full of friendly smiles. Everyone treated my grandson like he was a special guest. They made us feel comfortable and at ease and I was the one nervous. The staff is very supportive especially when explaining before and after care procedures. I highly complement their training and skills in providing service not only to the children but also their care givers. They do provide high-quality pediatric dentistry while serving as an advocate for your child as they mention on their web site - I totally agree. I was given excellent dental advice and services when it came to diagnosing and treating my grandson. The aftercare treatment plan was very thorough. Recommendations on preventing future problems was explained in detail. I will continue to use Panther Pediatrics for future care.
Lisa Smith
a year ago
Attentive, personable and made the visit fun for my daughter. I highly recommend Panther Pediatric! Both of my children attend here.
Emeshia Salad
a year ago
AMAZING EXPERIENCE!!!
Tamila Campbell
a year ago
Wonderful service peaceful atmosphere highly recommended
Amber Tucker
a year ago
Edit: The company responded disingenuously and I'm not surprised. First time visit and the receptionist was nice/nasty (passive aggressive). The scheduler never informed me that the office doesn't supply masks for the patients and while I agreed to pay for them, the receptionist continued to bicker until she got the last word in. She refused to understand my confusion and explanation of the misunderstanding and chose to be condescending instead. I also was unaware of some of their other policies, again, not my fault, and my children were refused service. As the receptionist noted "It's "her" (the owner's) private practice and "she" can do what she wants." That's fine and well but whoever schedules the appointments needs to do a better job at informing patients of what they can expect rather than talk down to them openly and embarrassingly at the front desk. And if this is how I, the parent, am treated, I'd never let these rude customer-lacking people come near my children.
Jennie Hall
a year ago
My first time taking my son he is 8 years old and it was great!!! Very clean, nice staff and very kid friendly. Also they have so many different techniques they offer tocmake sure your child is comfortable and they get the job done. We definitely will be keeping this place as his dental team.
Marie Eckert
2 years ago
It's always clean and the staff is very polite and great with kids! The dentist is AMAZING with kids and always make my son feel comfortable.
Porshia W.
2 years ago
This was my first visit with my 9 yr old and 1 yr old. They seemed really busy but the wait was not long. Staff was very nice and good with children. The dentist was very nice as well! I am happy I was referred to them!
Ja'Nell Jackson-Williams
2 years ago
They never answer the phone, it's always a voicemail
Quitta Daniels
2 years ago
Dr. Kari and her staff provided outstanding service to my 6 yr old daughter.
Rasheeda Larkin
2 years ago
I love this dental office! There are not many compassionate, gentle and experienced dental offices in NEO. This office is a perfect fit for my 6 year old and 1 year old boys. They love their dentist! So happy that they will not have the experience of traumatic dental appointments like so many children and adults that I know. Thank you Panther!
Brittany Takacs
2 years ago
Dr. Kari Cunningham is absolutely the BEST hands down when it comes to dentistry. Her and her team make you feel like family.. The staff is awesome and friendly. I sit in the waiting room while my son is being treated. They are very thorough and very professional. Definitely recommend Panther Pediatric Dentistry to everyone.
mia willis
2 years ago
Very friendly and professional
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