Dr. Whittemore is an active member of the American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Iowa Academy of Pediatric Dentists, Academy of Dentistry for Persons with Disabilities, American Orthodontic Society, and the International College of Dentists.
After completing a four year dental school curriculum, each pediatric dentist completes two to three years of additional training in child psychology, dental growth and development, sedation, hospital dentistry, interceptive orthodontics (bite problems), and behavior management. Dr. Whittemore is an expert in helping calm anxious children, gaining their trust, and making each visit a pleasant one for everybody. We treat every child that comes through our doors in a unique manner that caters to their specific dental needs.
Dr. Steven D. Whittemore Graduated from the University of Iowa School of Dentistry in Iowa City, IA with an additional degree in Pediatric Dentistry from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, MN.
Our staff are registered and certified with the Iowa Board of Dental Examiners and meet the highest standards of continuing dental education. Our friendly office staff is excited to welcome you and care for you during your office visit.
Heather has been in the dental field for 26 years. She has been a dental assistant in general dentistry, orthodontics and pediatrics dental settings. She enjoys helping children be proud of their smiles! When she is not at work, she loves game shows, camping, traveling and sunny weather. She has two grown children and 2 cats and loves to spend time with family and friends.
Hollie is a registered dental assistant. She graduated from Vatterott College in September 2011. She first worked in general dentistry until finding her passion in peds four years ago. She joined our office in May 2018. Hollie is the mother of four beautiful daughters and two cats. In her spare time she enjoys watching football (go Hawks) and baseball, fishing, mudding and boating.
Megan joined our practice in 2020 and is training to be a registered dental assistant! She is a mom to two amazing boys who are constantly keeping her and her husband on their toes! She enjoys watching football games, camping, cookouts and spending time with family.
Amanda is currently working at the front desk in our West Des Moines location. She lives in Altoona with her two high school aged daughters. In her spare time she enjoys shopping, watching movies and just having girl time with her kids. When her kids are busy with friends doing teenage things she enjoys the peace and quiet time doing house projects.
Lisa has been with our office since 2015. She does insurance and billing and also front desk at the Ankeny and Des Moines offices. She has one son who is attending Iowa State University. Her interests outside of work are movies, travel and spending time with family and friends.
Tina has joined our team in 2020 and currently works at the front desk in the West Des Moines office as our hospital coordinator. She has been in the dental field since 2017. She lives in Des Moines and spends most of her time with her husband, daughter and dog, Bonnie. She loves spending time outdoors, taking family vacations, shopping and enjoying good times spent with friends and family.
Danielle is a registered dental assistant and currently works the front desk in Ankeny. Danielle is mother to three grown children, they are her whole world. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, working out, boating and watching hallmark movies and the HAWKEYES!!
Reviews
Rating 2.5 out of 5 based on 13 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestAlyssa A
2 years ago
Traumatized my son. DO NOT come here!!!!!!
M Hungate
2 years ago
My daughter is very dramatic when its about Drs appointments and this was the first time that she was so relaxed and cooperative. The staff was amazing and the hygienist that was at the room with us was excellent and very very nice
Rebecca Chiodo
2 years ago
We've been going for years. I appreciate that parents can go back with the kids.
Sammi Jones
2 years ago
If I could leave zero stars I would. Dentist seems to think it's okay to put hands on kids and nothing has been done by the office or authorities.
Aaron Gathercole
2 years ago
My nephew was here and the dentist slapped him upside the head because he was scared and crying highly do not recommend
Sarah Wonderlich
2 years ago
We have taken our son to Dr. Whittmore since he was 3 and have always had a pleasant and easy experience. He is no longer nervous or scared to go for cleanings. Unfortunately he had such an easy time having a cavity filled he said he wants to go back because it was so fun. Dental Staff and front desk are super friendly.
Lynne Hines
2 years ago
My grandson had this experience, after the bad reviews this business removed its Facebook page. NO DENTIST SHOULD PUT HANDS ON A CHILD. This was posted on Facebook. From one parent to another I highly recommend that you do NOT take your children to pediatric dentistry of central iowa in ankeny. Today we had an incident with B that I never thought in a million years that we would run into. Long story short the dentist admitted to me that the incident did occur and has happened before. Action is being taken however I do not recommend this dentist office to anyone! To add to this post, yesterday B was scared and crying. The dentist (Steven whittemore) thought it would be okay to put his hands on my child and smack him in the side of the head and yell at him to stop screaming. This was after we were told that if he wasn't handling it well with being alone in there (they made grandpa wait in the car instead of in the lobby) that they would call or bring him out and reschedule for a different day. No call was ever received. Instead the dentist put his hands on B. Whittemore claimed to the police that he "tapped" B. The office manager seemed completely appalled and apologetic towards me when she found out that the he admitted it over the phone to me. But then backed up whittemores story to the police. Apparently according to the seargent that I spoke to, it is 100% legal to "tap" an "out of control" scared child when they are getting out of hand. If it was truly a "tap" B would not have been timid and afraid to talk about it for an hour afterwards. B is such an outgoing and bright little boy, yet he was afraid to tell us that the dentist had hit him. I am in complete shock that this is acceptable to some people. Please if you have children, do not take your kids to pediatric dentistry of central iowa.
Dijana Bajraktarevic
2 years ago
Took our kids there, dental hygienists were good. Dr came in and was short, rude, grumpy and seemed like he hated every second of being there. He barely looked at our kids teeth and was already planning expensive procedures without much explanation. Spent maybe 5 minutes with both our kiddos. He talked at us, not to us, and insinuated we wouldn't be able to afford their dental care, which we absolutely can. Then the front desk told us to just go to any urgent care/walk in clinic for a pre op physical, which I know you can't typically do, I worked at urgent cares at the time. Felt very pushed through and around. Then nothing for months until we got a random call from a surgery center about a surgery planned for the next day, which we were never even told about. What a mess all around. Never went back there. Since then we have found a wonderful group of dental professionals at shadow creek pediatric dentistry who actually seem to care and do a wonderful job w our kids
Jennifer Bjorklund-Schroeder
2 years ago
The dentists and staff here have always been great with my kids.
Aaron Gathercole
3 years ago
My nephew was here and the dentist slapped him upside the head because he was scared and crying highly do not recommend
Sammi Jones
3 years ago
If I could leave zero stars I would. Dentist seems to think it's okay to put hands on kids and nothing has been done by the office or authorities.
Sarah Wonderlich
3 years ago
We have taken our son to Dr. Whittmore since he was 3 and have always had a pleasant and easy experience. He is no longer nervous or scared to go for cleanings. Unfortunately he had such an easy time having a cavity filled he said he wants to go back because it was so fun. Dental Staff and front desk are super friendly.
Lynne Hines
3 years ago
My grandson had this experience, after the bad reviews this business removed its Facebook page. NO DENTIST SHOULD PUT HANDS ON A CHILD. This was posted on Facebook. From one parent to another I highly recommend that you do NOT take your children to pediatric dentistry of central iowa in ankeny. Today we had an incident with B that I never thought in a million years that we would run into. Long story short the dentist admitted to me that the incident did occur and has happened before. Action is being taken however I do not recommend this dentist office to anyone! To add to this post, yesterday B was scared and crying. The dentist (Steven whittemore) thought it would be okay to put his hands on my child and smack him in the side of the head and yell at him to stop screaming. This was after we were told that if he wasn't handling it well with being alone in there (they made grandpa wait in the car instead of in the lobby) that they would call or bring him out and reschedule for a different day. No call was ever received. Instead the dentist put his hands on B. Whittemore claimed to the police that he "tapped" B. The office manager seemed completely appalled and apologetic towards me when she found out that the he admitted it over the phone to me. But then backed up whittemores story to the police. Apparently according to the seargent that I spoke to, it is 100% legal to "tap" an "out of control" scared child when they are getting out of hand. If it was truly a "tap" B would not have been timid and afraid to talk about it for an hour afterwards. B is such an outgoing and bright little boy, yet he was afraid to tell us that the dentist had hit him. I am in complete shock that this is acceptable to some people. Please if you have children, do not take your kids to pediatric dentistry of central iowa.
Dijana Bajraktarevic
3 years ago
Took our kids there, dental hygienists were good. Dr came in and was short, rude, grumpy and seemed like he hated every second of being there. He barely looked at our kids teeth and was already planning expensive procedures without much explanation. Spent maybe 5 minutes with both our kiddos. He talked at us, not to us, and insinuated we wouldn't be able to afford their dental care, which we absolutely can. Then the front desk told us to just go to any urgent care/walk in clinic for a pre op physical, which I know you can't typically do, I worked at urgent cares at the time. Felt very pushed through and around. Then nothing for months until we got a random call from a surgery center about a surgery planned for the next day, which we were never even told about. What a mess all around. Never went back there. Since then we have found a wonderful group of dental professionals at shadow creek pediatric dentistry who actually seem to care and do a wonderful job w our kids
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