Proper dental care starts early and can help prevent cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues down the road.
Protecting your child’s teeth doesn’t have to be a challenge. At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we provide compassionate dental care for children, including those with anxiety or special needs. Whether it’s their first visit or they need advanced care, we ensure every experience is positive and stress-free.
I have been a patient at the Dental Anesthesia Center for about 20 years! Dr. Hoffman and his team are the premier dental group in the St. Louis area. I believe they are the only location for Dental Anesthesia if you need that service. They are experts in the dental field and I cannot fathom ever going anywhere else. Great team, kind, caring, patient, and looking out for you and your dental needs!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and continued trust over the years! We’re truly grateful for your support and are honored to have such a caring team dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality care.
I have been going here for 30 years and the extra care they take is outstanding.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and longtime support! We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback and are grateful for the trust placed in our team over the years.
It was thorough professional and informative. I was satisfied with consultation and look forward to having my dental needs addressed
Response from the owner:Thank you for your 5-star review! We appreciate your kind words and are grateful you took the time to share your feedback. Thank you for your support!
Everything went great today for her surgery but I do have some feedback about other things. My daughter was scheduled to be put to sleep to undergo a root canal. They ended up needing more anthesia which I was willing to pay for. Surgery was supposed to be an hour (I was told this before they started), and it ended up being 2 hours because of some minor complications. Noone came to the lobby to inform us. When it was over, I asked to see her. They said I had to pay first. I just paid almost 5k and they were more worried about an additional $300 before allowing me to see my daughter? This didn't sit right. I didn't say anything. I paid the bill and went to see my daughter. Dr. Hoffman is the nicest man I have ever met! He was outstanding.
Also, in the weeks before her surgery, the office appeared to not communicate. I would receive a call saying one thing then someone else would say another. They were never on the same page.
Last week, they needed to speak with me to confirm a few things. They called me at 8:16am then again at 1:06pm. Leaving me a voicemail that if they do not hear from me they were going to cancel her surgery. Wow! I work. I work 8am-5pm. I do not have access to my phone during those hours. They did leave a voicemail and I would have called the next day but they did not give me a chance before sending me an email threatening to cancel.
Also, they had called me several weeks before to inform me I had no insurance. I called my insurance company and they said I did. Not sure what happened but it resulted in unnecessary phone calls during my only free 20 minutes at work.
If your appointment is at 10am, do not plan on seeing anyone for awhile. All our appointments ran an hour behind.
I think Dr. Hoffman is wonderful but the office staff needs some help.
Not friendly at all. Noone even smiled!
The nurses in the room with my daughter were great too.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your feedback and kind words about Dr. Hoffmann and our clinical team. We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. Your feedback is valuable to us as we continually strive to provide the best possible care and experience for every family.
Tips to Protect Their Teeth
These are six tips from the pros to protect your child’s oral health for a lifetime:
1. Start Early with Proper Dental Care
Good dental habits begin long before your child’s first tooth appears. Even before teething starts, clean your baby’s gums after feedings with a soft, damp cloth. Once those first tiny teeth erupt:
Use a soft-bristled, age-appropriate toothbrush.
Begin brushing twice a day with a small smear of fluoride toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice).
Gradually increase to a pea-sized amount around age 3.
By starting early, you set the stage for lifelong healthy habits.
2. Don’t Skip Dental Checkups
Your child should visit the dentist by their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth appearing. Regular checkups allow the dentist to:
Offer tooth-friendly snacks like cheese, yogurt, crunchy veggies, and fresh fruits.
Encourage water as the primary beverage, especially between meals, to rinse away food particles.
Teaching healthy eating habits early supports strong teeth and gums.
5. Protect Their Teeth During Play
If your child plays sports, a custom-fitted mouthguard can protect their teeth from injuries. Even during playground activities or bike riding, accidents can happen. A mouthguard is a simple way to prevent chipped or knocked-out teeth, especially for active kids.
6. Teach Proper Flossing Techniques
Flossing isn’t just for adults—kids need it too! As soon as your child’s teeth begin to touch, introduce flossing into their routine. Use kid-friendly flossers or demonstrate with floss picks to make it easier for small hands.
By teaching flossing early, you’re helping them prevent cavities between teeth and promoting healthy gums.
The Dental Anesthesia Center
At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we value our patient relationships and make it our priority to deliver the gentle dental care you deserve. We work hard to make you feel at ease by providing exceptional patient care in a relaxed, convenient atmosphere.
