At UPD Dental Associates, we are a leading oral health care provider with an Uncompromising Promise to Deliver the very best care to children, adolescents and adults throughout Western New York. You can rest assured knowing that our treatments will include the most advanced, educational and compassionate dental care possiblebecause your family deserves the best.

Established in 1989, weve been providing kids oral health care services for over 30years and are one of the largest pediatric dental practices in the country. Since our founding, weve expanded to multiple locations throughout the Buffalo region specializing in virtually every aspect of infant to adult oral health care, from simple check-ups to complex oral surgeries. We are the Western New York dental health care experts!

With highly trained staff and state-of-the-art facilities we now offer orthodontics, maxillofacial and craniofacial surgeries as well as emergency 24-hour treatments for victims of accidents. But thats just part of the story.

From our reception staff to our dentists, our hygienists to our oral surgeons, our goal is to provide a positive patient experience from well before you arrive at our office until well after you leave. And its not just about teeth for us. We believe in this community and strive daily to be active contributors to the health and wellness of the Buffalo region.

On behalf of our entire staff, thank you for choosing UPD Dental Associates as your familys dental home. Im honored that youve come to us and I want to assure you, none of us take your trust lightly. Over the last 25 years through University Pediatric Dentistry, weve become the largest pediatric dental provider in Western New York. While we now treat adults as well as kids, many of our original pediatric patients are bringing their own children to our practice and we believe theres a simple reason; we treat every child as if they are our own.

Im exceptionally proud of each member of our team. We choose to work with people who fit our family-first culture and were all committed to compassionate care using the latest techniques and state of the art technology. That commitment spans every specialty within our practice.

Whether your family visits us for a routine exam or a complex surgical procedure, we have an Uncompromising Promise to Deliver the highest quality care and experience everydaybecause your family deserves the best.

Dr. Rachel Anderson attended Harvard School of Dental Medicine where she received her Doctorate of Dental Medicine. Dr. Rachel then spent four years serving as a general dentist for the U.S. Navywhere she was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. She then went on to complete her pediatric dentistry residency at the Harvard affiliated Boston Childrens Hospital.

Dr. Rachel is certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and holds memberships with the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the Eighth District Dental Society. She is currently a clinical instructor for dental students and residents. Dr. Rachel enjoys outreach projects and has participated in service trips to Honduras, Cambodia and Chile providing dental care to underserved populations.

Dr. Kelly Burch graduated from the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine in 2014. She minored in pediatrics before completing her general practice residency in 2015 at Erie County Medical Center (ECMC). Before that, Dr. Kelly attended Erie Community College and received her associate degree in applied science/dental hygiene in 2006. In 2009, she graduated from the University at Buffalo with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedicine.

Dr. Dian is a graduate of the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine where she completed both her Doctorate of Dental Surgery as well as her specialty training in pediatric dentistry. She also completed a general practice residency at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine and is certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. She joined University Pediatric Dentistry in 2001.

Dr. Dian has served as faculty in the Department of Pediatric and Community Dentistry for the University at Buffalo since 2000, and also is an attending pediatric dentist for the pediatric dentistry specialty training program. She serves as both clinical instructor for pre-doctoral students at the School of Dental Medicine, as well as Clinical Assistant Professor in the department of Pediatric and Community Dentistry, focusing much of her teaching on community dental programs. Dr. Dian has received numerous awards including the Minority Dental Faculty Development Award for Scholarly Activity and the Dental Womens Guild Scholarship.

Dr. Dian has chaired the Bethel Head Start's Health Advisory Board, been a board member of the Buffalo Prenatal-Perinatal Network, Inc. and continues to lecture to community organizations on the importance of oral health in very young children. She has participated in numerous international service trips to the Dominican Republic, Belize, Mexico, India and her home town in Trinidad and Tobago.

She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the Eighth District Dental Society, the American Dental Education Association, the National Dental Association and the American Dental Association.

Dr. Dian received the 2015 Alumni Association Humanitarian Award from the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. She continues to live and work between Buffalo, Arizona and Trinidad and Tobago. She enjoys Zumba, traveling and making kids smile.

Dr. Paul Creighton is a graduate of the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine where he completed both his dental degree and his specialty training in pediatric dentistry. He received his Bachelor of Science in Biology from St. Louis University.

Dr. Paul has served as faculty in the Department of Pediatric and Community Dentistry for the University at Buffalo since 1986, and as Assistant Dean of Pediatric and Community Dentistry since 2004. He also serves as both clinical instructor for pre-doctoral students at the School of Dental Medicine, and as clinical director for the specialty training program in pediatric dentistry.

Dr. Paul is as advisor to the Maternal and Infant Health Clinic and is the director of the Low Birth Weight/Premature Infant Dental Plate Program. He has published papers spanning numerous topics, many related to sedation and has also received multiple research grants in the Buffalo community. He also helps to direct many service activities throughout Buffalo including Give Kids a Smile Day and Smile Education Day.

Dr. Paul is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the Eighth District Dental Society, the Erie County Dental Society, the Western New York Pediatric Dentistry Association and the American Dental Association.

Dr. Tawfiq Hazboun is a graduate of the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicinewhere he completed his Doctorate of Dental Surgery. Dr. Hazboun joined the United States Navy where hereceived his Prosthodontics and Master of Science degree from the Naval Postgraduate Dental School in Bethesda, MD and served three years overseas as the Prosthodontics Department head for Naval Hospital, Rota Spain. He completed his Bachelor of Science degree at Pennsylvania State University.

Dr. Hazboun is currently a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Restorative Dentistry at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine and has presented at local and national dental meetings. He also has both his Basic Life Support and Advanced Trauma Life Support certifications.

Dr. Hazboun is a member of the American Dental Association, the New York State Dental Association, the Eighth District Dental Society, the American College of Prosthodontists, and the Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics.

Dr. Joseph Johnson graduated from Temple University where he earned his Doctorate of Dental Medicine. Following dental school, Dr. Joe completed an advanced education in general dentistry residency program and served as a general dentist for 5 years in the U.S. Air Force. While in the Air Force, he developed a passion for treating the oral health care needs of children, and pursued his pediatric specialty training at University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine.

Dr. Suketu Patel is a graduate of Ohio State University where he earned his Doctorate of Dental Surgery, and subsequently completed a general practice residency at the Medical College of Ohio. He completed his specialty training in pediatric dentistry through the University at Buffalo. Dr. Suke is certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, and joined University Pediatric Dentistry in 2005.

Dr. Suke has served as faculty in the Department of Pediatric and Community Dentistry for the University at Buffalo since 2005, and serves as both clinical instructor for pre-doctoral students at the School of Dental Medicine, as well as Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatric and Community Dentistry. Dr. Suke also serves as an attending pediatric dentist for the pediatric dentistry specialty training program. When he is not teaching or practicing dentistry, he spends much time on professional development attending conferences and meetings across the country.

Dr. Suke is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the Eighth District Dental Society, the New York State Dental Society, the American Dental Association, and the College of Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.

Dr. Kelly Rose is a graduate of the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine where she completed both her dental degree and her specialty training in pediatric dentistry. Dr. Kelly is Certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, and joined University Pediatric Dentistry in 2004. Dr. Kelly completed her undergraduate education at SUNY at Cortland, and earned her teaching certificate as well as a Master of Science degree from SUNY at Fredonia.

Dr. Kelly has served as faculty in the Department of Pediatric and Community Dentistry for the University at Buffalo since 2005, and also serves as an attending pediatric dentist for the pediatric dentistry specialty training program. Dr. Kelly presented on research she completed at the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Annual Meeting in San Francisco, Investigation of the relationship of oral hygiene, oral bacteriology and respiratory disease in children with cerebral palsy and dysphagia.

Dr. Kelly is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the Eighth District Dental Society, the New York State Dental Society, the Erie County Dental Society, the Western New York Pediatric Dentistry Association and the American Dental Association.

Dr.JillSchabert graduated from the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine in 2006. She minored inoral diagnostic sciences,before completing her general practice residency at Erie County Medical Center (ECMC). Prior to completing her dental education, Dr.Schabert graduated from Canisius College, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology.

Dr.Schabert is a member of the American Dental Association, the Eighth District Dental Society, the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry,the UB Alumni Association, the Special Smiles Division of Special Olympics,and the New York State Dental Association (NYSDA).

Dr. Schabert is proud to be born and raised in Buffalo, NY. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Nick, and their two dogs, Turk and Jack. She loves all things Disney, and cheering on the Buffalo Bills (of course).

Dr. Tammy Thompson is a graduate of the University of Toronto where she received her Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree. Dr. Tammy then completed a general practice residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital. She pursued her specialty training in pediatric dentistry at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine.

Upon completion of her residencies, Dr. Tammy practiced in a hospital setting at Geisinger Medical Center. There she served as part of the craniofacial team, taught lectures to medical residents and was involved in community outreach programs during National Childrens Dental Health month. She is Certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and is a fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada.

Dr. Tammy serves as both clinical instructor for the pre-doctoral students at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, as well as Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatric and Community Dentistry. Dr. Tammy is also a facilitator at the Behling Simulation Center and serves as an attending pediatric dentist for the pediatric dentistry specialty training program.

Dr. Carrie Wanamaker is a graduate of the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine where she completed both her Doctorate of Dental Surgery and her specialty training in pediatric dentistry. Knowing that she wanted to be a dentist since she was sixteen, Dr. Carrie majored in Biology at Canisius College before attending the University at Buffalo.

Dr. Carrie will serve as a guest lecturer in pediatric dentistry courses for pre-doctorate dental students at the University at Buffalo. She is currently working to establish a maternal infant program in the community to educate mothers about the importance of oral health for their young children. Dr. Carrie has participated in service trips to Guatemala, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Tennessee and Kentucky to provide dental care to underserved patients.

Dr. Juan F. Yepes is originally from Colombia, South America. He moved to the UnitedStates in 1998 and became a proud U.S. citizen in 2008. Dr. Juan is both a dentist (DDS)and a physician (MD) from Javeriana University at Bogota, Colombia. In 1999, Dr. Juan moved to the U.S. and attended the University of Iowa and the University of Pennsylvania where he completed his fellowship and residency in Radiology and Oral Medicine respectively in 2002 and 2004.

In 2006, Dr. Yepes completed a Master in Public Health (MPH) degree, and in 2011 a Doctoral Degree in Public Health (DrPH) at the University of Kentucky, College of Public Health. Both degrees had an emphasis in Epidemiology. In 2008, Dr. Juan completed a residency program in Dental Public Health at the University of Texas, Baylor College of Dentistry. Finally, in 2012 he completed a certificate and Master of Science degree in pediatric dentistry at the University of Kentucky. He is certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Board of Oral Medicine, the American Board of Dental Public Health and is currently an associate professor in pediatric dentistry at Indiana University.

Sedation and anesthesia can be used for a number of dental procedures both at the office or in a hospital setting and are a scary subject for many parents and patients, due to the fear of the unknown. We hope to ease your worries by outlining possible dental sedation plans. The overall goal of sedation and anesthesia is to provide the utmost comfort and ease to the patient. The type used depends on the patients age as well as the kind of procedure being performed.

The most popular form of sedation is nitrous oxide, or laughing gas. When inhaled, it puts the patient into a relaxed, euphoric state. Laughing gas is not intended to put a patient to sleep. Other forms of sedation involve administering oral medications or IV solutions, before or during the procedure. Common side effects of laughing gas include, blurred vision, dizziness and that your dentists once seemingly lame jokes, suddenly sound hilarious!

There are two types of anesthesia, local and general. Local anesthesia is provided in the office and uses injections to block specific nerves and numb the patients mouth at the site of the procedure. Local can also be combined with sedation to provide extra comfort for the patient, as they remain conscious for this type of procedure.

General anesthesia is administered in the office or in a hospital setting by a trained professional, such as an oral maxillofacial surgeon or an anesthesiologist, for patients who are having extensive work done. This type of anesthesia involves putting the patient to sleep, through IV drugs and/or gaseous anesthetics, for the entirety of the procedure. Children should be taken care of by a pediatric anesthesiologist, as they have specialized training and qualifications to provide the best care for this type of patient. Typically, the patient will meet with the anesthesiologist beforehand and go over the sedation plan. Afterwards, medication will be prescribed for pain and nausea. All of the care is done in one session and the patient is then allowed to go home.

It is of the utmost importance that the patients stomach be empty, anytime he or she is having a procedure done that involves sedation or anesthesia. During dental procedures, airway reflexes are impaired which can result in vomiting and can cause serious injury to lungs, especially if there are food or beverage remnants in the stomach. Fasting instructions are given to patients and parents prior to the procedure and should be strictly adhered to.