Dr. Peter Suh attended and received his bachelors degree in Microbiology and Immunology at U.C. Berkeley. He went on to attend the University of Pennsylvanina, School of Dental Medicine and completed the postdoctoral specialty program in advanced pediatric dentistry at USC /Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. He is Board Certified in Pediatric Dentistry.
Dr. Suh has been practicing pediatric dentistry since 1995. He has been teaching advanced pediatric dental residents at USC and CHLA as a clinical assistant professor in Pediatric Dentistry at USC. He also has taken care of his private patients at La Canada Flintridge since 2000. He is serving in the California Dental Association Peer Review Committee.
Our vision: We strive to establish a strong bond of trust with each child patient and parents to provide the best care possible. We endeavor to help children accept dental care as a fun and easy, yet important part of their health. We aim for early dental evaluation by which we educate families of prevention so that we control the cause of the disease. In case of the manifestation of dental disease, however, we provide the highest quality of pediatric dentistry using the most advanced technology in addition to our compassionate and tender loving care.
Whether your child's dental needs are a complete exam and cleaning, an occulusal guidance, interceptive orthodontic treatment, a full-mouth restoration, or anything in between, we promise to provide you with exceptional care as we enhance the natural function and beauty of your child's smile. Below are just some of the many procedures and services we regularly provide to our patients with a gentle touch, andbeautiful results.
Pediatric dentistry (formerly Pedodontics/Paedodontics) primarily focuses on children from birth through adolescence. The American Dental Association (ADA), recognizes pediatric dentistry as a specialty, and therefore requires dentists to undertake two or three years of additional training after completing a general dentistry degree. At the end of this training, the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry issues a unique diploma (Diplomate ABPD). Some pediatric dentists (pedodontists) opt to specialize in oral care for children with special needs; specifically children with autism, varying levels of mental retardation, or cerebral palsy.
One of the most important components of pediatric dentistry is child psychology. Pediatric dentists are trained to create a friendly, fun, social atmosphere for visiting children, and always avoid threatening words like drill, needle, and injection. Dental phobias beginning in childhood often continue into adulthood, so it is of paramount importance that children have positive experiences and find their dental home as early as possible.
Pediatric dentists fulfill many important functions pertaining to the childs overall oral health and hygiene. They place particular emphasis on the proper maintenance and care of deciduous (baby) teeth, which are instrumental in facilitating good chewing habits, proper speech production, and also hold space for permanent teeth.
Education - Pediatric dentists educate the child using models, computer technology, and child-friendly terminology; thus emphasizing the importance of keeping teeth strong and healthy. In addition, they advise parents on disease prevention, trauma prevention, good eating habits, and other aspects of the home hygiene routine.
Monitoring growth By continuously tracking growth and development, pediatric dentists are able to anticipate dental issues and quickly intervene before they worsen. Also, working towards earlier corrective treatment preserves the childs self-esteem and fosters a more positive self-image.
Prevention Helping parents and children establish sound eating and oral care habits reduces the chances of later tooth decay. In addition to providing check ups and dental cleanings, pediatric dentists are also able to apply dental sealants and topical fluoride to young teeth, advise parents on thumb- sucking/pacifier/smoking cessation, and provide good demonstrations of brushing and flossing.
Intervention In some cases, pediatric dentists may discuss the possibility of early oral treatments with parents. In the case of oral injury, malocclusion (bad bite), or bruxism (grinding), space maintainers may be fitted, a nighttime mouth guard may be recommended, or reconstructive surgery may be scheduled.
Reviews
Rating 4.8 out of 5 based on 78 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestSusan Ross
a year ago
Wonderful pediatric dentist.
Cindy Orellana
a year ago
We love Dr. Suh and staff. They are thorough, patient and are always willing to answer all questions. This facility deserves more than 5 starts.
Isabel Mejia
2 years ago
My daughter was happy with Dr Suh and his staff. They were very helpful and explained her all the procedures to be done.
Emily Vencat
2 years ago
The best pediatric dentist ever! I have been taking my three children (now aged 14, 13 and 9) here for about 5 years and Dr Suh is absolutely excellent with all of them. He really "meets kids where they are" and has customized his cleaning plans to make them feel comfortable and secure. I wouldn't take them anywhere else.
Amy M
2 years ago
Our first visit was very pleasant, Dr. Suh is very knowledgeable and his staff was very pleasant. I felt no reservation scheduling the next week for 2 extractions for my son. We discussed oral sedation in detail, my son had previously had a crown and a frenulum release in two separate procedures under oral sedation with no issue with our previous dentist in another state. Dr. Suh discussed his choice for oral sedation, which was different than what was used by our previous dentist, and the risk of it having the opposite affect, which is fairly common by the way, in children. We agreed we would try it, and if my son didn't do well, we could do general anesthesia in the future if needed. My son was a little nervous the day of his extraction. They gave him the oral sedation, and when it was time to get on the chair, he was very fidgety, but the assistant was able to get him to settle down, and he dozed off. Dr. Suh started the procedure, and about 1/3 through, my son started to whimper. Soon, he started writhing around and trying to get off the chair. They brought him back and tried giving him more N2O and gave him a break. I couldn't tell exactly where they were in procedure because I wasn't allowed in the room, but was behind the doctor outside the room. Let's start with every other dentist I've been to now I was allowed in the room, in front of my son, and could see everything that was going on. As soon as the doctor started again, my son started crying, screaming and then fighting, at some point screaming that it hurt. The doctor was agitated, told him it didn't hurt, and although he gave him breaks, continued. At some point it was 2 assistants holding my son down while he screamed until the doctor finished. I've worked in the medical field for over 20 years and seen thousands of surgeries under conscious sedation. I've seen it all. I understand different doctors are comfortable with different methods of anesthesia, and especially with children, the reaction to anesthesia can be unpredictable. You don't know until you do it. What I don't understand, is why, why the patient was clearly having an adverse reaction and was so agitated, clearly in pain and fighting, did the doctor continue to extract his teeth? According to his own note, he completed the sealants fine, but my son started becoming agitated when he started the extractions. There were 2, one of which still had deep roots and had to be painful. It could have been stopped at several points, and we could have come back and done under regular anesthesia. The only feasible reason is that he had blocked the two hours for that procedure, and didn't have any other patients, and didn't want to loose the time/money involved in stopping and having us come back. After the procedure, my son continued to cry until we left the office.The doctor continued to be agitated with the situation and left the room, only speaking to me briefly before we left, with little explanation of what happened other than blaming the oral sedation when I asked. My son was still pretty out of it and upset, so much so that I had to carry him out and call my husband to leave work to come get us. My son, of course, remembered being in a lot of pain once we came home, and the doctor yelling at him to stop. He said that was why he was fighting and trying to get off the chair. It took me two weeks to process what had happened and tried to give the doctor the benefit of the doubt that he had finished the extraction and it was just the reaction to the anesthesia making him agitated with the impressions for the spacers. However, my son was so afraid to go back, I decided not to and went to another dentist. After seeing the record, that Dr. Suh chose to continue the extraction after my son was agitated, I was furious. If he was in the middle of one, he could have finished it and stopped then. It's a tooth extraction, not anything life threatening that couldn't have been put off another few days. As I've already mentioned, we have switched dentists. Beware, he may be great until it doesn't go well.
Junga Kim
2 years ago
Very good service and amazing staff! One of the best dentists in the greater LA area!
Annette Fisher
2 years ago
Awesome knowledgeable dr! There's a good reason everyone goes to him!
Kelly McKnight
2 years ago
It is always a pleasure to visit Dr. Suh's office. Everyone is so kind and patient, you can tell they truly love working with children. My son has no fear when I tell him it's appointment day and he looks forward to getting his high quality sticker at the end of each visit.
Susan Ross
2 years ago
Wonderful pediatric dentist.
Kathleen Ehrlich
2 years ago
What a great experience for my son! He wants to go back. They are so kind and Dr Suh made him feel comfortable even during a filling.
Lilit Grigoryan
2 years ago
We had a wonderful first visit which we were not looking forward to based on a terrible experience at another dentists office. Well couldn't be more different! It was a wonderful experience and we learned so much! Both kids at the same time and both couldn't be happier with their time there! Thank you so much Dr. Peter! So glad we found a you!
Juan Jose Rojas
2 years ago
He is a great doctor. Also his staff were awesome.
Kimberly Dreison
2 years ago
The staff was all very kind and patient with my daughter. It was the best dentist experience we've ever had. I strongly recommend this practice.
Cheri Lee-Kotev
2 years ago
It's our first time taking our son visiting Dr Suh's dental office. Very clean environment and great staff. Dr Suh was very thorough checking and explaining our son's x ray film. Highly recommended!
Margaret Feuille Bockrath
2 years ago
All were courteous and very patient, and Dr. Suh was kind and thorough in his care, explanations, and instructions. Grateful to have such good care!
Arsineh Avasapian
2 years ago
"Great great dentist and great staff. My daughter came in pain because she had a big cavity and she was so scared but they made every effort to be her friend and cheer her up so that she wouldn't think the dentist office was a scary place. They were so gentle, kind, and understanding and very professional. We are so blessed for having him as our daughter dentist .
A Corso
2 years ago
It was my toddler's first time at the dentist and we were very happy with the quality of care we received from both Dr. Peter and his hygienist. It was an easy process to make the appointment and I liked being able to complete the new patient paperwork ahead of time. We look forward to our 6 month check up. Highly recommend Dr. Suh for your kiddos
Joshua and Roubina Schwartz
3 years ago
Dr. Peter (and team) are really great at what they do! Dr. Peter is efficient, friendly, was great with my boys(1and 3 years old) and VERY knowledgeable. Thank you for the best "first dental" experience!
Lilit Grigoryan
3 years ago
We had a wonderful first visit which we were not looking forward to based on a terrible experience at another dentists office. Well couldn't be more different! It was a wonderful experience and we learned so much! Both kids at the same time and both couldn't be happier with their time there! Thank you so much Dr. Peter! So glad we found a you!
Cheri Lee
3 years ago
It's our first time taking our son visiting Dr Suh's dental office. Very clean environment and great staff. Dr Suh was very thorough checking and explaining our son's x ray film. Highly recommended!
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