We first met Dr Smutka 23 years ago when my then-3 year old son had a dental emergency. I have never before or since met a provider so professional, so compassionate, and so caring with children. ... More

We first met Dr Smutka 23 years ago when my then-3 year old son had a dental emergency. I have never before or since met a provider so professional, so compassionate, and so caring with children. I've referred many friends/family to him. I believe he may have saved my son's life. Our family dentist wanted to use general anesthesia at Northgate (not Northwest - Northgate) Hospital on my toddler to extract a broken molar. Instead of the trauma and potential risk, Dr Smutka easily extracted the tooth at his office using only novacaine and a little nitrous oxide. All 3 of my children went to him until they were 'graduated'; Dr Smutka said the long hair & grunge clothes of my teens were making his other patients - all small children - uncomfortable. I strongly recommend him and am preparing to send my grandchildren to him
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I brought my 20 month old for his first dentist appointment a month ago. Found Dr. Smutka after doing two days of online reviews and seeing all these posts on this site. Office summary:... More

I brought my 20 month old for his first dentist appointment a month ago. Found Dr. Smutka after doing two days of online reviews and seeing all these posts on this site. Office summary: Kid-friendly waiting area, nice staff. Dr. Smutka and his staff are very into preventive dentistry. I went in thinking, "Give the kid a toothbrush and let him pretend to brush". They told me to let him do some brushing but to finish it up for him, even if he's not happy with the process. I was hesitant as I didn't want him to have bad associations with brushing but Dr and assistant were firm on having me hold him or have him lie on a bed and have me do a thorough brushing whether he liked it or not. In their words, "It's like changing diapers - they may not like it but you wouldn't let him sit in a dirty dipaer. You do it because it has to be done". Fast forward one month later. My son has gotten used to the idea of two brushings a day from me (I let him do his own after). He still doesn't like it but at least I know that he has a lower chance of getting cavities before his next visit. I like this guy. He is so not Dr. Sears in his philosophy but that can be good. Listen to him and take your kids there.
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In our experience, Dr. Smutka himself is amazingly good at doing his work and relating to young children during difficult procedures. No other dentist would consider extracting my son's infected... More

In our experience, Dr. Smutka himself is amazingly good at doing his work and relating to young children during difficult procedures. No other dentist would consider extracting my son's infected tooth without general anesthesia, which has risks we'd rather avoid. He used local anesthetic, patience, and savvy instead. For this we will always be grateful. My son really likes him too, despite having had a tooth pulled at his office. Dr. Smutka's helpful in counseling about maintaining oral health with children highly resistant to tooth brushing. The other pediatric dentists we visited we not helpful, even when asked for tips and techniques.
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My three-year-old saw Dr. Way and had a fabulous experience. The waiting room was super kid-friendly, and the toys were clean and not icky like they are in some waiting rooms. The receptionist was... More

My three-year-old saw Dr. Way and had a fabulous experience. The waiting room was super kid-friendly, and the toys were clean and not icky like they are in some waiting rooms. The receptionist was fantastic, the hygenist so friendly and great with kids, and Dr. Way had a really soft touch with my son. I expected tears and a complete freakout, but since it's like Funland in there, it was a totally positive experience. My one-year-old was angry that SHE didn't get a turn in the magic chair.
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I've got 3 kids who are terrified of shots and hate to go to the doctor's office. But none of them have the slightest problem at Dr. Smutka's office. They have each had their teeth cleaned a few... More

I've got 3 kids who are terrified of shots and hate to go to the doctor's office. But none of them have the slightest problem at Dr. Smutka's office. They have each had their teeth cleaned a few times, and every experience has been great. I could go on and on, but basically if you can keep a 3 year old a 5 year old and an eight year old happy (while cleaning their teeth), all in one day, you are doing some thing right.
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I'm not sure what the other reviewers are talking about or if they went to the same dentist. My daughter was terrified of dentists and I thought our only way to get her teeth fixed was sedation.... More

I'm not sure what the other reviewers are talking about or if they went to the same dentist. My daughter was terrified of dentists and I thought our only way to get her teeth fixed was sedation. I was told about Dr. Smutka by a friend. My daughter had a great experience their and was able to go back and get all the work done. The staff were friendly and took their time with her. The atmosphere was nice and conducive to kids.
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Dr. Smutka's office, near Children's Hospital, is great. They do all kids, all the time, so they are wonderful at it. If anything, they cater a little too much and take a little too long. My kids... More

Dr. Smutka's office, near Children's Hospital, is great. They do all kids, all the time, so they are wonderful at it. If anything, they cater a little too much and take a little too long. My kids could probably handle a more straightforward visit, but I bet there are more anxious little ones out there who benefit. The doc is very low-key. We've never needed any treatment, though, so I don't know how he is w/ a drill. Only downside is that he isn't a preferred provider on our health plan. Goes to show how much we like him that we pay a bit extra to go there.
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Dr. Smutka came highly recommended to me as I was looking for a pediatric dentist for my 2 1/2 year old. She did not have a good experience with her first dentist, so I looked long and hard. I drove... More

Dr. Smutka came highly recommended to me as I was looking for a pediatric dentist for my 2 1/2 year old. She did not have a good experience with her first dentist, so I looked long and hard. I drove over an hour to see him with my daughter and we paid cash $180. I was disappointed to say the least. The office was nice and the staff was nice to me, but they did not establish a re pore with my daughter...therefore she was terrified! Basically they held her down while she cried and they cleaned her teeth, I was almost in tears myself and made them stop several times. I will keep looking for a pediatric dentist that actually is good with kids. I don't think that is too much to ask. I will say he did seem to know what he was doing, but if your kid is absolutely terrified to go, well then what is the point?
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My daughter used to be terrified of going to the dentist, and I thought it was just her personality (tends to be a little fearful). But then we finally switched to Dr. Way and what a difference! She... More

My daughter used to be terrified of going to the dentist, and I thought it was just her personality (tends to be a little fearful). But then we finally switched to Dr. Way and what a difference! She loves the dentist now! The staff there is amazing. It's worth going out of your way to come here. I don't think Dr. Smutka is taking new patients, but Dr. Way is, and the staff is the same for both. I especially recommend April. My daughter loved her right away.
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