Here’s how Dr. Jennifer Bryk Hechko makes going to the dentist a fun experience for kids
By Laura Briedis
If your child loves to go camping, spend time in the great outdoors or play with dogs, then Brecksville Kids Dentistry is sure to make going to the dentist a fun adventure. Although there are no wolves or bears here (except etched in the window décor and on a statue next to the toy chest), a real-life Bichon Maltese dog greets patients and does doubled duty as a “dental assistant.”
Balto, a certified therapy dog, comforts children by putting its chin on the patient’s lap or, if requested, even sitting in the dental chair with the children to put them at ease.
It is all part of the caring, child-centric philosophy of Jennifer Bryk Hechko, DDS, who took over Dr. Sarah Davis’ practice in Brecksville last May and is giving it a new identity.
“We want to make going to the dentist fun,” says Dr. Jen.
“Instead of a clinical feel in our office, we had a local artist paint a log cabin mural in the reception area and a tree-dense forest leading you back to the treatment rooms that make you feel like you are camping.”
“By creating a dental adventure, we instill in kids at an early age that you should not fear going to the dentist,” she adds. “And, in doing so, we help build a foundation of excellent oral health and create a ‘dental home’ where patients feel comfortable going.”
Everything in the practice is designed to put kids at ease. Here the “drill” is called the “water blaster,” and the children can touch and hold the dental instruments as the staff explains how they work prior to the treatment.
“This tell-show-do approach not only educates children, but also makes them comfortable with dental procedures,” says Dr. Jen, who grew up on a dairy farm and tells fun stories about life in the country.
“Our fun and educational approach to dentistry is appreciated by our patients and parents alike.”
Brecksville Kids Dentistry offers preventative check-ups, dental cleanings, fluoride treatments, dental sealants, fillings and crowns, tooth extractions and custom mouthguards.
If requested, the office also offers nitrous oxide and sedation dentistry. Once a month, an anesthesiologist comes into the office to provide IV sedation, and Dr. Jen belongs to Fairview Hospital and Medina Dental Surgery Center for cases that require advanced medical care for medically compromised children and special needs adolescents.
“I recommend that children see a dentist for the first time as soon as a tooth appears, or by the age of one,” states Dr. Jen. “Preventive checkups are the key to good oral health as dental decay for children is the No. 1 infectious disease.”
“I also am an advocate of cosmetic dentistry if it helps a child’s confidence,” she says.
“For the growing number of patients with enamel hypoplasia, we can put a whitening sealant over the teeth to cover the yellow spots. With every procedure, I partner with parents to determine the best course of treatment and encourage them to be an active part in their child’s dental health.”
A mother of a three-, seven- and nine-year old, her nurturing demeanor is comforting to patients. Born into a family of medical professionals, Dr. Jen graduated from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry and worked in private practice in Aurora for 12 years before opening her own practice.
“I am excited to be part of the community and to be able to bring advanced dental care to children of all ages,” she says.
Brecksville Kids Dentistry is located at 8801 Brecksville Road, Suite 5, in Brecksville. Office hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and select Fridays by appointment. For more information, call 440-838-5445 or visit BrecksvilleKids.com.