Business Profile: Doctor Delaney Pediatric Dentistry, Mahopac
Many people fear going to the dentist. In fact, according to the University of Washington’s Dental Fears Research Clinic about 25 percent of the population has such anxiety about going to the dentist that they refuse to go at all or will only go when absolutely necessary. Studies have found that for some the root of the problem was a person suffering from a traumatic dental experience at a young age. Doctor Delaney Pediatric Dentistry’s mission is to make sure that today’s children embrace going to the dentist and incorporate it into a regular routine for the rest of their lives.
“When I was a general dentist I would see a lot of adults who would say that they had a very difficult experience when they were a child and now for life they are afraid of the dentist,” said Dr. Delaney Acosta, who opened up Doctor Delaney Pediatric Dentistry in Mahopac a year ago. “We work on building that trust with the patient that will lay the groundwork for life.”
Acosta, who is more commonly known as “Dr. Delaney,” has been practicing dentistry since 2005 and became specialized in pediatric dentistry in 2010. She is an honors graduate of the Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine and was admitted to the Columbia University Pediatric Residency Program in New York City where Dr. Delaney received an additional two years of post-doctoral training.
Gratified through her work with children, Dr. Delaney’s practice focuses on prevention.
“We work a lot with prevention so kids will have a positive experience,” she said.
Dr. Delaney encourages parents to follow the recommendation of the American Pediatric Dentistry College and bring children in for their first visit as early as a year old.
“It is not really to get any work done; it is more to dedicate a plan to prevent any dental disease, cavities or other things that could require major dental work. It will also keep them healthy,” she said.
Dr. Delaney compares the early visits to a well visit with the pediatrician.
“In these early visits we are guiding the parents, explaining that these are the right things that you need to know and do to keep your child healthy,” she said.
Having a child’s initial visit be preventative and non-invasive helps build a child’s trust and comfort level.
“A lot of the parents do not know when is the right time to take their children to the dentist,” Dr. Delaney said. “Sometimes they bring the child in for the first time when the child is in pain or discomfort. That time may not be the most pleasant time because the child is already in pain. You have to bring your child in early to ensure that your child is not suffering.”
Even though a child’s baby teeth eventually fallout, Dr. Delaney considers the care and attention given to the initial set of teeth to be essential.
“Baby teeth are the foundation for where the permanent teeth are going to come,” she said. “As long as they have a good foundation everything else will come in properly.”
Dr. Delaney, who treats children from infancy through adolescence as well as those with special needs, works hard with her staff to make the patients feel as comfortable as possible. That is through their hands-on personalized care and the use of advanced high-technology equipment and methods that allow Dr. Delaney to have an effective gentle approach.
The brightly colored waiting room has a play area full of toys, as well as a space set aside for video games, to create a friendly environment.
“We make the children feel comfortable with the office first because it is a new environment and some children are resistant to change,” said Dr. Delaney. “Once it is time for the visit, we bring them into our toothbrush station. We practice how to brush and how to floss and keep it very non-threatening.”
The inviting atmosphere continues as a child is brought to an examination room. New patients are allowed to handle the instruments and practice a procedure on “Mr. Dragon,” a blue, plush stuffed animal.
Doctor Delaney Pediatric Dentistry is located at 888 Rt. 6, Mahopac. To schedule an appointment, visit www.mahopacpediatricdentistry.com or call 845-628-3400.
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.
