Welcome home to The Tooth Doctors

Specialized, high-quality dental care that always puts your child first.

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Care

Highest-quality dental care provided by pediatric specialists

Culture

Patient-focused culture for a lifetime of happy smiles

Clinic

A fun, positive & comfortable environment where kids feel at home

Our dental clinics are designed with kids in mind

Are you ready to be wowed by a pediatric dentistry office? Well, hold on tight because Schenectady Pediatric Dentistry does things differently! It all starts by focusing on who is most important—your child. Our unique, elite, and patient-centered approach to caring for your child and their teeth sets them up for a lifetime of healthy smiles, because they’ll love coming to see us! By choosing a pediatric specialist with a true patient-first mentality, you’re giving your child’s smile the best possible start.

Learn about our practice

Dr. Lindsey Battiste

Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist

I always focus on providing enjoyable dental experiences for children and emphasizing the importance of early education in oral hygiene.

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Schenectady

1019 Keyes Ave,
Schenectady, NY
12309

Appointments:

518.545.4040

Monday: 8:30am – 4:00pm
Tuesday: 10:00am – 6:00pm
Wednesday: 8:00am – 6:00pm
Thursday: 8:00am – 6:00pm
Friday: 8:30am – 4:00pm

Get directions Free consultation

Infant visit (age one)

Prevention is key! The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends seeing a dentist for the first time by age one. Your pediatric dental specialist will assess the growth and development of your child’s mouth (including any thumb-sucking or pacifier habits) and teach you how to best care for their tiny growing teeth.

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Toddlers and preschoolers

Until your child is a preschooler, we don’t expect them to sit in a dental chair on their own or fully cooperate. This is totally normal. Your care provider will likely perform a lap-to-lap or knee-to-knee examination with a parent or caregiver’s help.

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Elementary to young adult

We want your child to feel welcome and comfortable during their visit—these are the ideal years for them to build a positive attitude about dentistry and oral health. Your pediatric dentist will explain in age-appropriate terms what they are doing and show the instruments they’ll be using. As a parent, you are always welcome to be right by your child’s side.

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At what age should my child visit a pediatric dentist?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child's first visit to the dentist should occur by twelve months of age. This visit will enable our pediatric dentists to evaluate your child and discuss proper oral hygiene. Early education and guidance about diet, fluoride, tooth eruption and finger/pacifier habits can help ensure optimal dental health.

How often should my child visit a pediatric dentist?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that most children visit the dentist at least twice a year. Some children need more frequent care and teeth cleanings because of increased risk of tooth decay, unusual growth patterns, or poor oral hygiene. Our pediatric dentists will help determine the best teeth cleaning schedule for your child.

Does your child use a pacifier or suck his/her thumb?

This type of sucking is completely normal for infants and young children. It provides security and relaxation. Most children stop sucking their thumb or pacifier between two and four years of age with no harm to their teeth or jaws. However, children should cease these habits prior to the eruption of their permanent teeth.

What are dental sealants and who can benefit from them?

The chewing surface of children’s teeth is most susceptible to cavities and least benefited from fluoride. Sealants are adhesive coatings that are applied to the tops of teeth and can be very effective in preventing tooth decay. Molars are the most decayed teeth because plaque accumulates in the tiny grooves of the chewing surfaces. Sealants prevent the cavities that fluoride cannot effectively reach.

If my child gets a cavity in a baby tooth, should it still be filled?

Yes! Primary or “baby” teeth are important for many reasons. Not only do they help children speak clearly and chew naturally, they also hold space that permanent teeth can follow when they are ready to erupt. Pain, infection of the gums and jaw, impairment of general health and premature loss of teeth are just a few problems that can happen when baby teeth are neglected.

What is baby bottle tooth decay and how can I prevent it?

Baby bottle tooth decay is a pattern of rapid decay associated with prolonged nursing. It happens when a child goes to sleep while breast-feeding or bottle-feeding. During sleep, the flow of saliva is reduced and the natural self-cleansing action of the mouth is diminished. Avoid nursing children to sleep or putting anything other than water in their bedtime bottle.

What can parents do to help make dental experiences positive?

If parents have their own fear or anxiety about the dentist, they should not share those with their child. Dentistry has changed over the years, and it is important to allow their child the opportunity to like their dentist and their dental home. Parents can refer to the dentist and team as helpful and as friends. If the parents show they trust the dentist their child will too.

What do you recommend for busy families so they are making good dietary choices on a daily basis?

Diet plays a really important role for the development or risk for cavities. Eliminating chocolate milk or any juice all together is great, but moderation is key. Stay away from the sports drinks like Gatorade, Powerade and even sodas because they have a lot of acid. Mostly importantly stay away from sticky snacks like gummy vitamins, fruit snacks, things that stick in the grooves of your teeth.

Aren't they just baby teeth?

Yes, but most children get their first teeth by age 1 and lose their last baby tooth by age 13. Early care and prevention are crucial. Baby teeth shape the mouth, allow for chewing, appropriate speech, and help guide permanent teeth into the mouth correctly. Cavities are a bacteria that if left untreated can cause significant pain and spread to neighboring teeth, surrounding bone and throughout the body.

A lot of young children like to suck on their fingers, thumbs and pacifiers, can these have adverse affects?

You’re right! Sucking on thumbs, fingers and pacifiers is very normal and actually provides security for the very young child. Most children will stop this habit on their own between the ages of 2 and 4. Our guidelines recommend stopping that habit around 3 years of age to prevent any issues with the developing jaw and the way the teeth are positioned.

What can a parent do to help stop oral sucking habits?

Most children do stop on their own, but some require additional help from their parents or pediatric dentist. For patients with a pacifier habit, the most successful way to stop is to simply take the pacifier away. For thumb/finger habits, we recommend using a rewards calendar. Your pediatric dentist may recommend placing an appliance that does not allow the patient to suck on their thumb or finger.

Our patients (and their parents) say it best

Jessica

The staff is wonderful! They are always helpful, friendly, and accommodating. The office is clean and bright. I love the open layout where I can sit with both of my children during their appointments. It's a great place for young kids.

Sharing smiles beyond our clinic

At Schenectady Pediatric Dentistry, we care deeply about the communities we serve and the families that live within them. That’s why we are actively involved with so many organizations that help make our communities even better. From local nonprofits to schools to youth sports teams, we do our part to create bigger smiles where we all live, work, and play. To learn more about how Schenectady Pediatric Dentistry gives back, visit us anytime.

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Welcome home to The Tooth Doctors

Specialized, high-quality dental care that always puts your child first.

Our dental clinics are designed with kids in mind

Schenectady

We can’t wait to meet you!Here’s what you can expect

Our patients (and their parents) say it best

Sharing smiles beyond our clinic

We can’t wait to meet you!
Here’s what you can expect