For those who are already fans of Sea of Smiles Pediatric Dentistry in Wesley Chapel — or those who would love to sign up but are dismayed by the (sometimes) six-week wait for an appointment — there’s good news ahead. The practice is planning to double in size, says owner and pediatric dentist, Lisa LaPresti, D.M.D. (Doctor of Dental Medicine).
Sea of Smiles is located between S.R. 54 and S.R. 56 (about a mile north of Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, off Bruce B. Downs {BBD} Blvd.). With a staff of four (not including her husband, who handles some accounting and bookkeeping), LaPresti handles a full schedule of patients, starting with children as young as newborns all the way to college age.
With her planned expansion into the adjoining space from the present one, Dr. LaPresti says the office will double in size from 1,500 to 3,000 square feet. She adds that she looks forward to a few new decorative touches as well as a larger, more open hygiene area in the back and a waiting room that is double the size that it is now. She also is looking to add two new staff members, one for the front office and one dental assistant.
Dr. LaPresti graduated from West Virginia University in Morgantown in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Biology. She then earned her D.M.D. degree from the University of Pittsburgh, PA, in 2003. Following graduation, she pursued her pediatric dental residency training in Cleveland, OH, where she spent two years training at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital in 2004, which is affiliated with Case Western Reserve University (also located in Cleveland).
Dr. LaPresti says her patients hail from New Tampa and Wesley Chapel to New Port Richey and beyond. “I even have families that drive more than two hours to come to see me.”
She adds, “I like working with kids of almost every age. It’s my personality, I guess. I’m a light-hearted person. I like to goof around with the kids and talk to them at their level.”
Satisfied Sea of Smiles customer Michelle writes (at Facebook.com/SeaofSmilesPediatricDentistry), “My son has been going (to Sea of Smiles) and he loves it! He’s always excited when I say it’s time for his check up at the dentist. Dr. LaPresti is amazing!”
Dr. LaPresti takes her patients’ comfort and relaxation very seriously, and offers not only a television at each chair but three levels of sedation to minimize any pain or stress. Even her X-ray machines are state of the art, emitting a greatly reduced amount of radiation over traditional X-rays.
As well as being a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), the American Dental Association (ADA), Florida Dental Association, West Coast District Dental Association and Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. LaPresti received extra training at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital has helped prepared her to deal with the most challenging of cases — including surgery to remove fetal teeth from a two-week old baby. She also sees many special needs children — kids with autism, kids who are medically compromised or those who have conditions such as cerebral palsy, that can make a dentist’s visit a lot more challenging.
“Very young children, pre-teens and teenagers all need different approaches in dealing with guiding their dental growth and development, to help them avoid future dental problems,” she says. “The pediatric dentist is best qualified to meet these needs.”
Dr. LaPresti also notes that children who have a dental home are more likely to receive appropriate preventive and routine oral health care and at such a young age, parents can make the first visit to the dentist more enjoyable and positive.
For example, at Sea of Smiles, Dr. LaPresti often lets little ones sit on their parents’ laps during their first visits. As well as a routine checkup, she says the “toddler visits” entail little extras for the kids such as a soft cleaning with a toothbrush and fluoride treatments.
Although some may feel that a visit to the dentist isn’t necessary until their children’s “grown up teeth” have come in, Dr. LaPresti says that it’s very important to maintain the health of your child’s primary teeth. Neglected cavities can lead to problems that can, in turn, affect developing permanent teeth.
Primary, or baby teeth, are important for proper chewing and eating, providing proper spacing for the permanent teeth and guiding them into the correct position, and permitting normal development of a child’s jaw bones and muscles. Primary teeth also affect the development of speech and, of course, appearance. While the front four “baby” teeth last until age 6 or 7, the back teeth (cuspids and molars) normally aren’t replaced until ages 10-13.
“Therefore, we take a proactive approach,” she says.
She and her staff give nutritional counseling and guidance and share the view that prevention is the best option. Dr. LaPresti also is usually available to respond to dental emergencies, such as knocked out, chipped or fractured permanent teeth.
That personal approach is something she cherishes. Dr. LaPresti and her husband Mark, both Pittsburgh natives, moved to New Tampa about nine years ago; she says they were attracted to the numerous young families, the schools and the amenities in our area. They have two children, Tyler (7) and Allie (4), who keep the young mom busy with their activities when she’s not working after work hours. Dr. LaPresti worked in a private practice in New Port Richey before first opening a Sea of Smiles in Bradenton in 2012 (which she has since sold) and this now-expanding Wesley Chapel office.
She has worked with many of her staff members for nine years, and partly credits their relationships to the cozy environment of her practice.
“It’s a family-type environment,” she says. “We’re definitely a close knit group of people and patients.”
Sea of Smiles is offering a new patient special for just $99, which includes a dental exam & cleaning, bite wing (not full) X-rays and fluoride treatment. In addition, most major dental insurance plans are accepted.
Call Sea of Smiles Pediatric Dentistry today to schedule an appointment. The Wesley Chapel office, located at 3737 Maryweather Ln., Ste. 101, can be reached by calling 528-8717. Office hours are Monday – Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For additional information, visit SeaOfSmilesChildrensDentist.com or Facebook.com/SeaOfSmilesPediatricDentistry.
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