Business Details
Specialized Pediatric Dentistry for Healthy Smiles in Mankato & New Ulm
We are a dedicated pediatric dental practice committed to creating positive, stress-free experiences for children and their families. Our team of board-certified specialists focuses on preventive care, education, and personalized treatment plans to ensure lifelong oral health. With two convenient locations in Mankato and New Ulm, Minnesota, we serve infants, children, adolescents, and patients with special needs. Our doctors bring extensive training beyond standard dental degrees, including specialized residency programs in pediatric dentistry. We emphasize the critical connection between oral health and overall wellness, offering services ranging from routine checkups to advanced therapeutic treatments.Our welcoming environment, child-friendly communication, and family-centered approach have earned us recognition as a trusted provider in southern Minnesota. We invest in continuing education to maintain cutting-edge techniques while prioritizing patient comfort. Our practice philosophy centers on early intervention, empowering parents with practical care strategies, and making dental visits enjoyable for young patients. Through community engagement and mission work, we extend our commitment to children's oral health beyond our office walls.
Services
Pediatric Dental Exams
Preventive Care
Fluoride Treatments
Dental Cleanings
Cavity Prevention
Toothache Management
Stain Removal
Chipped Tooth Repair
First Visit Preparation
Special Needs Dentistry
Highlights and features
- Our dentists completed 2+ years of specialized pediatric residency training beyond dental school
- Board-certified specialists with expertise in treating children and special needs patients
- Child-focused environment designed to reduce anxiety and create positive associations
- Emphasis on preventive care and early intervention to avoid complex dental issues
- Comprehensive oral health education for parents and children using age-appropriate methods
What people say
Wonderful with the kids
Best dentist for children
No fears whatsoever
Highest quality of care
Staff is professional and kind
Services
Pediatric Dental Exams
Comprehensive oral evaluations for children from infancy through adolescence. Our exams include developmental assessments, cavity detection, and preventive care planning. Early examinations help establish dental health baselines and identify potential issues before they become serious problems.
Preventive Care
Customized preventive programs including brushing instruction, dietary counseling, and fluoride recommendations. We focus on building lifelong oral care habits through age-appropriate education and interactive demonstrations for both children and parents.
Fluoride Treatments
Professional-strength fluoride applications to strengthen developing teeth and prevent decay. We use child-friendly flavors and techniques to make this essential preventive treatment comfortable and enjoyable for young patients.
Dental Cleanings
Gentle professional cleanings tailored to children's needs. Our hygienists use specialized tools and techniques to remove plaque and tartar while making the experience positive and educational for young patients.
Special Needs Dentistry
Individualized dental care for children with developmental disabilities or medical conditions. Our team has specialized training in behavior management and adaptive techniques to ensure safe, effective treatment for patients with unique needs.
People
Dr. Saul Ovalle
Pediatric Dentist
Graduate of Francisco Marroquin University with pediatric dental training from the University of Minnesota. Specializes in creating comfortable experiences for young patients while emphasizing preventive care and long-term dental health.
Dr. Kristin Bothun
Pediatric Dentist
Board-certified pediatric dentist with a Master's degree from the University of Minnesota. Combines clinical expertise with global mission experience to provide comprehensive care while making dental visits enjoyable for children.
Dr. Stephen Solie
Pediatric Dentist
University of Minnesota-trained pediatric dentist with hospital dentistry experience. Focuses on preventive strategies and treatment of dental caries in children, emphasizing family education and lifetime oral health habits.
Dr. Emily Starman
Pediatric Dentist
Iowa native with pediatric dental training from Children's Nebraska. Brings a passion for sports and outdoor activities to her practice, connecting with young patients through shared interests while providing specialized dental care.
Questions
When should my child have their first dental visit?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends the first visit by age 1 or within 6 months of the first tooth erupting.
How can I prepare my child for their first dental visit?
Use positive language, avoid words like 'pain' or 'shot,' and frame the visit as an exciting adventure with fun activities and new friends.
What services do you offer for children?
We provide comprehensive pediatric care including exams, cleanings, fluoride treatments, cavity prevention, and specialized care for children with special needs.
Do you accept dental insurance?
We work with most insurance plans and offer CareCredit financing options to help make dental care accessible for all families.
What makes your practice different from general dentists?
Our dentists have 2+ years of specialized training in pediatric care, and our office environment is specifically designed to create positive experiences for children.
How do you handle dental emergencies?
While we don't offer 24/7 emergency services, we provide urgent care guidance and prioritize same-day appointments for dental emergencies during business hours.
Reviews (7)
T. Carvajal
Jun 22, 2022
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Always great. My two girls did awesome. Dr Ovalle was great. Having a Spanish speaking dentist is so reassuring for them.
Samantha Anderley
Jun 05, 2022
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My daughter is a 'tougher' patient. She has a very low pain threshold & a very strong gag reflex. Almost anything that goes in her mouth, she gags. Going into an appointment needing a filling, multiple sealants & a tooth extraction, Dr. Bothun and her staff knew this as she's been a patient for years already. They were amazing! Calm, soft spoken & reassuring my daughter she's brave. we got through the appointment and danced! THANK YOU!
Carissa Drummer
Mar 17, 2022
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Dr. Saul Ovalle was absolutely phenomenal with my son. My son has attention troubles, and Dr. O kept him engaged and informed the whole time. There was no wiggles, no crying, I am in tears for how well he interacted with my son. Thank you!
Becca Peterson
Feb 23, 2022
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They do such a great job of explaining what they're going to do before doing anything. It helped me daughter so much to know what was going to happen and consent to it herself. They're the best at what they do.
Adam Westland
Jan 17, 2022
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They were extremely rude to my wife. My 5 year old has a cavity on a front tooth and we've gone to them on one other occasion. That time it was fine. Evidently turning 5 years old makes you a burden to these guys. We'll take our business somewhere else, thanks! Reception should be talked to about how to talk to customers.
Justine
Dec 31, 2021
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Unfortunately, I had to call to cancel a surgery as my child had a panic attack trying to get the Covid test done (bloody nose, lots of screaming, running, and hiding, not fun for anyone!) and we are unable to get her to even go into the clinic to try in time for surgery and there's no other available way to test besides the nasal swab. I called to cancel as soon as I knew there was no way to get the test done and was informed that I needed to tell them 10 days before the surgery to avoid almost $900 in fees, except THEY scheduled the test 3 days before based on their policy and needing it within 72 hours.
While I understand testing is required to keep everyone healthy, how am I supposed to predict her reaction a week before the event? It seems like a convenient way to extort money, requiring cancellation 10 days before but required testing isn't available until 3 days before and having to cancel if you can't get testing. Very disappointed as they used to be very good with understanding and accommodating special needs, hence the whole reason for doing surgery instead of in-office.
While I understand testing is required to keep everyone healthy, how am I supposed to predict her reaction a week before the event? It seems like a convenient way to extort money, requiring cancellation 10 days before but required testing isn't available until 3 days before and having to cancel if you can't get testing. Very disappointed as they used to be very good with understanding and accommodating special needs, hence the whole reason for doing surgery instead of in-office.
Amy Burt
Nov 27, 2021
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I went here as a child and wanted to carry on the wonderful care I received to my children. The staff were amazing and very patient with my both my kids and I. You can tell they enjoy working solely with pediatric patients and want what's best for their dental health while they grow. Dr. Bothun sang to my kids while looking at their teeth to help with the fear and anxiety they were experiencing with their first visit. I think it even helped me!
