Spark Dental Management is excited to host our first Virtual Lunch and Learn to celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month. Join us on Friday, February 26 from 12:30-1:30 pm to hear from four board-certified pediatric dentists and a guest speaker from Theraplay.

Our presenters will detail why oral health is so vital in children’s development and what role you have in preventing oral health issues in kids. Our guest speaker will also detail how a child’s oral health impacts their speech abilities. We will also provide informational materials and host a Q&A session following the presentation.

Topics will include: 

• Current Pediatric Oral Health Trends  
• Early Dental Intervention
• Nutrition and Fluoride
• Treatment Timeline from Tots to Teens
• Speech Therapy

Meet Our Presenters

Noah Quinn, DMD, Chief Dental Officer 

Dr. Noah Quinn is a Pennsylvania native and loves to serve patients at our Northeast Philadelphia and Allegheny Avenue locations. Dr. Quinn is Board-Certified with the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with both his undergraduate degree and DMD.

He also received his Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from Temple University Hospital. He enjoys being active within the dental industry and is a part of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the Parenteral Drug Association, the Pennsylvania Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.

Anthony Monteiro, DMD 

Dr. Tony Monteiro is a board-certified pediatric dentist and graduated from Temple University School of Dentistry where he received his dental degree. He continued advanced training in Pediatric Dentistry from Montefiore Medical Center in New York City. His passion for dentistry led him to help others by providing dental aid in impoverished countries. Dr. Tony’s free time is spent fishing or mountain biking and he is a proud Philadelphia sports fan.

Jennifer Pinero, DMD

Dr. Jenny Pinero is a board-certified pediatric dentist who graduated from Temple University School of Dentistry with her dental degree. She returned to her alma mater and completed a two-year residency program for Pediatric Dentistry. Additionally, Dr. Jenny holds a membership with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Her favorite pastimes include spending time with her husband and two French bulldogs in the city, doing yoga, and traveling abroad.

Dana Chianese, DMD 

Dr. Dana Chianese is one of many dentists in her family! She grew up in Toms River, New Jersey, and loves serving patients in Philadelphia. Dr. Chianese is a Board-Certified Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and is also a part of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the Pennsylvania Dental Association, and the Philadelphia County Dental Society. 

Courtney Klinger, MS, CCC-SLP – Guest Speaker from Theraplay

Courtney is the Associate Director at Theraplay, joining the organization in June 2011. She started work in the Quakertown Center as a Clinical Fellow, and completed her Clinical Fellowship in February 2012. She then became center manager of the Quakertown Center until she transitioned to her current role as Associate Director in January 2018. Courtney is a graduate of East Stroudsburg University and Kutztown University. She has previous experience with school-aged children from kindergarten to 12th grade, as well as Early Intervention services.

Courtney was attracted to the field of speech therapy because of her passion for helping kids succeed! She has experience with PROMPT, Beckman Oral Motor, AAC, and Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS).   

Summary of Webinar Topics

Early Dental Intervention 

Tooth decay is the most chronic childhood illness in the United States, nearly half of children aged 6–11 in the U.S. and more than half of those aged 12–19 are affected today. Early childhood dental intervention is crucial to recognizing potential problems including baby bottle tooth decay. 

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that a child sees a dentist by their first tooth or first birthday. Early dental check-ups not only allow for teaching children the importance of caring for their teeth and gums, but to offer forms of oral health protection such as dental sealants. 

Nutrition and Fluoride

Fluoride and nutrition go hand in hand when it comes to fighting cavities. Fluoride, a mineral that occurs naturally in some foods and some public water sources, protects teeth from cavity-causing bacteria by making tooth enamel more resistant to bacteria’s acid attacks. Fluoride treatments are recommended by pediatric dentists to aid in their oral health development. In addition, parents should provide their children with a tooth-healthy diet comprised of calcium-rich foods, crunchy vegetables, and lean proteins – minimizing sugary, sticky foods and drinks.

Treatment Timeline from Tots to Teens

Stay-at-home orders drastically changed the lives of many children, so it’s not surprising that it’s also impacted their oral health. More sugary snacks, less time brushing and flossing, and missed dental appointments all contribute to increased tooth decay. These smaller problems, normally intercepted during routine exams and cleanings, can become greater dental health concerns, such as abscesses. 

While tooth decay is a chronic childhood disease it is entirely preventable and our pediatric dentists offer their recommendations and guidance, including the use of digital X-Rays to better monitor decay and development with a focus on early dental intervention if necessary.

RSVP Today!

RSVP for our free virtual event today to take a deeper dive into the current oral health issues children face today and the preventative recommendations provided by our board-certified pediatric dentists. We can’t wait to see you there!