By Bonnie Mason | June 8
Nowadays, many children in the New Tampa area actually look forward to going to the dentist — something most of their parents can hardly imagine. From the underwater treasure décor in the reception area and the video game stations located in the waiting room to the flat-screen televisions above playing favorite shows as patients lay in the dental chair, Paul Duga, DDS, (Doctor of Dental Surgery) and Shawna Adams-Feeney, DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine), of Dr. Duga, Dr. Feeney & Associates Pediatric Dentistry in Tampa Palms are helping children adopt healthy dental habits, while having fun in a kid-friendly environment.
Dr. Duga explains that the entire office’s mission is to provide a good experience at a young age so that children feel comfortable and identify a trip to the dentist’s office as one of excitement and fun — not fear or dread. Dr. Duga always has had an affinity for kids, even though he first practiced adult dentistry before he found his calling in early orthodontia and pediatric dentistry.
“I found my passion,” Dr. Duga explains. “I enjoy going to work where there is fun and silliness; where you can be relaxed. When I came here from Louisiana, I saw a real need for children’s dental care.”
Conveniently located in Tampa Palms in the Somerset Professional Park on the corner of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. and Amberly Dr. (only 10-15 minutes south of the Pasco County line), Dr. Duga, , who earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and his DDS degree from the Marquette University School of Dentistry in Milwaukee, WI, opened his practice at the Amberly Dr. location in 2003 and Dr. Feeney joined the practice as a full partner in 2005. “We work so well together,” says Dr. Duga, who earned his Pediatric Dentistry Specialty Certificate from Louisiana State University School of Dentistry/Children’s Hospital of New Orleans and was a faculty member at the LSU School of Dentistry and is president of the Tampa Bay Pediatric Dental Association.
Dr. Feeney earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida, Gainesville, and her DMD degree from the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, MA. Her general practice residency was at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in Long Island, NY, and her Pediatric Dentistry Specialty Certificate from the University of Connecticut in Farmington.
A Shared Mission
Both dentists wholeheartedly believe in the mission of their pediatric dental practice, which is to provide a special environment for infants, children, teens and even children with special needs to assure they receive the highest standard of care. Pediatric dentistry services available include routine cleanings, sealant protection, extractions, teeth whitening/bleaching and fillings, all while using the latest dental equipment for all ages from infants to college-age young adults. Drs. Duga and Feeney also assess a young patient’s need for braces and may perform orthodontic work at the office, or for specialty cases, refer patients to a local orthodontic dental specialist.
The patients and their families have the opportunity to actively participate in acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to practice effective dental care, resulting in lifelong dental health.
“I always loved to go the dentist growing up,” says Dr. Feeney. “And I love having the chance to work with kids before they have any preconceived ideas about visiting the dentist. We have the opportunity here to provide positive experiences that will create a foundation children can build on for the rest of their lives. We recommend that your child see a pediatric dentist by 12-18 months of age. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, we should start cleaning a baby’s mouth even before the teeth start coming in.”
Also, Dr. Feeney advises to start early and be consistent. “Young children really need parental assistance with caring for their teeth,” Dr. Feeny explains. “They do not have the manual dexterity to do an appropriate job on their own.”
The child’s first appointment is for evaluation and education. At this visit, a complete exam is performed and recommendations are given for home care and correct use of toothbrushes and fluoride toothpaste. Dr. Feeney says that parents who help their children follow this routine can detect and take care of problems before they lead to serious and costly types of treatment.
Parents are a valued partner in the care of the patients at Dr. Duga, Dr. Feeney & Associates. Traditionally, dental offices don’t allow the parents of patients beyond the patient room door. However, Dr. Duga and Dr. Feeney encourage parental involvement, even while the child is in the chair. In other words, the office has an “open patient door” policy.
The staff takes the time to explain each diagnosis and treatment option and always works at the pace of each child — and his or her parents.
Dr. Duga explains that he and his staff present available treatment options to the patient and parent so they can make an educated decision on the care of their child.
“I think parents help so much when they are involved and in the patient room,” he says. “It helps to instill confidence in the kids; it’s a real benefit to our patients.”
“(Dr. Duga) is wonderful,” says Leslie Mellin, a Meadow Pointe resident who has been bringing her two sons, Josh, 12, and Benjamin, 9, to Dr. Duga for more than 10 years. “I recommend him to everybody.”
Pediatric dentistry does not stop with young children. Dentistry for teens is a part of the advanced education pediatric dentists receive. Drs. Duga and Feeney are trained to deal with adolescent behavior, to restore and guide teeth, and teach preventive dental health care with your teen in mind. When they follow your child from early youth into the teen years, Dr. Duga and Dr. Feeney also change the approach to your child’s own special needs in a sensitive, caring and professional manner.
The office environment is even designed with teens in mind. Younger patients enjoy the larger-than-life décor, while the older kids like the popular video games, and the opportunity to choose age-appropriate movies, listen to music with headphones or sit and read in a quiet, comfortable area. The idea behind routine visits in a comfortable environment is to increase the chance that the patients will continue their dental care as adults.
“They won’t be afraid of the dentist the way many adults are now due to unpleasant experiences in their past,” Dr. Duga says.
Dr. Duga is no stranger to teenagers. He and his wife Sue live in Tampa Palms and have three teenagers, two sons, 17 and 12, respectively, and a 16-year-old daughter.
Dr. Feeney and her husband Jack live in South Tampa and have two young children, a boy and a girl.
“Most pediatric dentists cut their patient population after the patients graduate from high school,” Dr. Duga says. “We see many of our kids through their college years. Often, college kids don’t take the time to get their teeth cleaned, especially if they are away at school.”
The staff reminds their college student patients to schedule appointments when they plan their visits home from school. Not having to change dentists is one less concern for college kids and their parents during what is often a stressful time. This helps foster a lifelong healthy attitude toward dental health.
Emergency dental care is another way that Dr. Duga and Dr. Feeney carry on their mission of providing their patients with a lifetime of beautiful smiles.
“We’re always available for our patients,” says Dr. Duga, who recently was called to the emergency room by a young male patient who fell and injured his mouth and teeth. The boy was happy to see the friendly face of his dentist and happy to go to Dr. Duga’s office after he was discharged from the hospital’s emergency room. Not many children can brag to their friends that they had a dentist appointment at midnight! Dr. Duga and Dr. Feeney share emergency calls outside of regular office hours.
Dr. Duga, Dr. Feeney & Associates Pediatric Dentistry is located at 15293 Amberly Dr., three miles south of the BBD exit off I-75. The office is open Monday-Wednesday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., 8 a.m. -5 p.m. on Thursdays, and 8 a.m.-3 p.m. on Fridays, but vary depending upon school holiday schedules.
For appointments and more information, visit PediatricDentistTampa.com or call 631-1100.
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