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For pediatric patients who get braces.
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Children’s & Family Dentistry in Jacksonville: Gentle Pediatric & Orthodontics
Originally from North Carolina, Dr. Tanya Wall earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from North Carolina A & T State University. It was during her time at Howard University College of Dentistry where she received both a Doctorate in Dental Surgery degree as well as a Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry that she realized she could combine her love of children and dentistry to create the perfect career choice.
Dr. Wall’s commitment to excellence is illustrated in her work ethic and dedication to her patients and the community. Dr. Wall is currently licensed to practice dentistry in Florida and the US Virgin Islands.
Dr. Wall has one child, Brandon who is a constant source of motivation for her to provide the best care possible for all children. Although North Carolina will always be home, Jacksonville families have captured her heart and she is incredibly proud to work and live on Florida’s first coast.
Qualifications
Undergraduate Degree- BS, Biology
NC A&T State University
Doctorate in Dental Surgery Degree
Howard University College of Dentistry
Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry
Howard University College of Dentistry
Diplomate, College of Diplomates of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
Board Certified
Dr. Kevin Vera
Originally from New York City, Dr. Kevin Vera earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Puerto Rico. It was during his time at the University of Puerto Rico School of Dentistry where he received his Doctorate in Dental Surgery degree and decided to pursue his career as a general dentist. He did not imagine at that time that his passion would take him from Puerto Rico to Florida but it did and he has licenses to practice in both.
Dr. Vera’s commitment to professionalism and care for his patients can be seen in his incredibly calm and caring demeanor. He immediately puts his patients at ease. And it is likely his vast array of experience spanning work in both traditional practices as well as for the US Navy right here at Jacksonville Naval Air Station that has helped him develop a comprehensive ability to diagnose and create treatment plans for the most complex cases.
Dr. Vera loves his community and takes great pride in treating each and every patient like a member of the Brushes & Brackets family. Fluent in both English and Spanish he is a constant source of motivation for everyone that works with him to provide the best care possible for children and adults alike. We could not be more grateful that he has been a key contributor to our team since early 2020.
Qualifications
Undergraduate Degree- BS, Biology
University of Puerto Rico
Doctorate in Dental Surgery Degree
University of Puerto Rico School of Dentistry
Licenses
Florida and Puerto Rico
Dr. Jennifer Woodling
Dr. Jennifer Woodling, aka Dr. Jen, is a general dentist and Jacksonville native that joined us here at Brushes and Brackets in February of 2022. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida in Public Health and Health Professions and received her DMD from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry in 2015.
After graduation she worked in a Pediatric Dental office in Louisville, Kentucky until 2019 and completed a GPR residency program in 2020. She took call for the Hospital and managed patients with dental trauma, dental infections, and treated patients of all ages during this time. She understands that going to the Dentist can bring anxiety to some and always strives to decrease that fear and make the Dental office a happy and pleasant environment for children and adults to return to year after year.
Dr. Woodling met her husband, Dr. Tyler Woodling, in Dental School. They have been married since 2015 and now have a 4 year old son and 1 year old daughter. They moved to Florida at the end of 2021 and enjoy being outside in the sun as much as possible! She’s so excited to be a part of our practice, get to
know all of our wonderful families, and treat them as if they were her own!
Dr. Nidhi Desai
I was born in India and moved to the United States after practicing dentistry in India for a couple of years. Here, I earned my dental degree ( DMD ) from Boston University in Massachusetts. Later I pursued a one year clinical fellowship in Orthodontics followed by a two year residency in Orthodontics at Jacksonville University of Orthodontics, Florida.
I am very passionate about providing beautiful, healthy, life changing smiles for children, teens and adults. I also love to establish long lasting relationships with my patients. The most exciting part of my work is to see the before and after photos and patients' excitement when they finish their Orthodontic treatment.
In my freetime, I enjoy spending time with my two twin boys and my husband. I also like to paint, dance and cook delicious meals for my family. I am very excited to join the 'Brushes and Brackets' family to help patients achieve their dream smiles.
Dr. Brooke Maryak
Dr. Maryak received her medical degree from Mercer University School of Medicine in Macon, GA in 2009. She completed her internship and residency in Anesthesiology at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL in 2013 where she served as chief resident. Dr. Maryak was certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology in 2014 and completed her Pediatric Anesthesia Fellowship at Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville, FL in 2015. She lives in Jacksonville, FL with her husband and 2 beautiful daughters.
Dr. Shalini Sanku
Dr. Shalini Sanku, is a board certified Pediatric Dentist. She obtained her bachelor of Dental Surgery from Saveetha University in Chennai, India, her Doctor of Dental Medicine from Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts and her Pediatric Dental Residency was completed at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY in June, 2020. Over that time, Dr. Sanku has worked in New York, Texas, Massachusetts, South Carolina and Georgia while also serving as a reservist in the United States Military. As a licensed dentist in 5 states she has had incredible exposure to a vast array of offices and dentists and has used those experiences to hone her craft and skill level. She has now made Jacksonville, Florida her home and is so excited to establish herself as the experienced and well trained Pediatric Dentist that she is. Dr. Sanku also teaches at the University of Florida two days a month and loves continuing education.
goal is to provide the best possible pediatric dental care for infants, children, kids, and teens, including children with special healthcare needs, in Jacksonville, FL. Our experienced pediatric dental team focuses on creating a positive, stress-free experience for every child while maintaining the highest standards of safety, comfort, and care. Our Jacksonville pediatric dental office is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to ensure your child receives comprehensive, modern dental treatment tailored to their age and development.
We designed our kid-friendly dental office with children and teens in mind. From toddlers to adolescents, we offer a fun, welcoming, and comfortable environment that helps kids feel at ease and encourages healthy dental habits. This thoughtful approach ensures every visit is both enjoyable and productive for children and their families.
We are available
Monday – Thursday 7:30 – noon
(noon- 1pm closed for lunch) 1pm – 4pm
For after hours emergencies,
please call 904.751.5126
and listen to our message.
Our office will do its best to schedule appointments at your convenience. We find that young or anxious children have a better experience in the morning. At this time of day, children are well rested, refreshed, and more cooperative.
School-aged children can be scheduled throughout the day for routine visits. Sedation appointments are only scheduled in the morning. We would appreciate a 48 hour
cancellation notice.
Payment for professional pediatric dental services is due at the time treatment is provided. This includes deductibles
and co-insurance. Our Jacksonville pediatric dental office accepts cash, personal checks,
and most major credit cards.
We create an individualized treatment plan for every child and teen. Our treatment coordinator will review recommended care, explain procedures clearly, and provide an estimate of dental insurance reimbursement.
Every effort is made to offer a pediatric dental treatment plan that fits your family’s schedule and budget while delivering
the highest quality dental care for your child.
•Our team is dedicated to providing the best care for your child.
•We treat each child as if they are our own!
•An atmosphere that ensures a fun and relaxing
visit for patients and parents including:
- TVs above each dental chair to watch your favorite show
- Games in the waiting area
- Prizes at the end of each visit
•Provide a dental home for your child and instill
good oral health habits in your child.
•Dietary Counseling.
•On-Call availability for after-hours emergencies.
We are dedicated to
great dental experiences.
We, along with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, recommend you bring your child in by his or her first birthday.
During your child’s first visit, you and your child will be introduced to our friendly pediatric dental team, receive an office tour, and discuss your child’s unique smile and long-term oral health goals. We take time to help kids and parents feel comfortable and informed.
Depending on your child’s age, your baby or toddler may receive a knee-to-knee examination, while older children and teens will have a traditional exam in the dental chair. This approach allows us to meet each child at their comfort level.
We ask families to complete our First Visit Forms prior to arrival. This helps our Jacksonville pediatric dental office keep visits on time and ensures a smooth experience for children and parents alike.
The initial visit typically lasts about one hour. During this time, children receive oral hygiene instructions tailored to their age, helping kids and teens learn how to care for their teeth at home. In most cases, teeth are cleaned, and parents receive a clear evaluation outlining any dental concerns and recommended treatment.
Dr. Tanya is a pediatric dentist, specializing in the treatment and prevention of dental disease, as well as the overall oral health of children. Through extra years of schooling, training, experience, and certification, a pediatric dentist is uniquely qualified to treat the dental needs of infants, children, and adolescents.
A pediatric patient has unique dental, emotional, and developmental needs compared to adults. Children and teens often require specialized pediatric dental care such as orthodontic monitoring, dental sealants, fluoride treatments, or guidance on proper oral hygiene habits. Pediatric dentists are trained to address both dental health and child behavior to ensure a positive experience.
We want families to see pediatric dental visits not as a place to “fix cavities,” but as a place to prevent them. Our mission is to provide children and teens with the tools and education needed to achieve a cavity-free, confident smile.
When a pediatric dentist is Board Certified, it means the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD) has verified that the dentist meets rigorous standards of excellence in pediatric dental care. This certification ensures that dental treatment for infants, children, adolescents, teens, and patients with special healthcare needs follows the highest professional standards.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry encourages parents and other care providers to help every child establish a dental home by 12 months of age. Establishing a dental home provides some key components to dental care for your child including...
• Comprehensive oral health care including acute
care and preventive services.
• Individualized preventive dental health program based upon a caries-risk assessment.
• Anticipatory guidance regarding growth
and development.
• Plan for acute dental trauma (emergencies).
• Dietary counseling.
• Referrals to dental specialists when care cannot directly be provided within the dental home.
• Referral at an age determined by patient, parent, and pediatric dentist.
Learn more about pediatric dentistry:
emergencies
The American Association of Orthodontists recommend that every child have an orthodontic evaluation
by the age of 7.
Early orthodontic detection and treatment give children and teens a significant advantage for natural and healthy dental development. By working with a child’s natural growth, pediatric orthodontic care can help prevent more serious bite and alignment problems later in life.
Research shows that children and teens with straight teeth are more likely to smile confidently. Improved dental alignment can boost self-esteem, support oral health, and contribute to overall well-being as kids grow into adulthood.
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life with braces
types of braces
More about Orthodontics for Children and Teens:
"I absolutelyl LOVE Dr. Wall..She see's my daughter Anniston who is 6 and today my son Clayton who is 18 was seen today. Their staff is so polite and sweet to us. We Love Pediatric Smiles and have referred patients to them for their Hospitality and Great work!"
- Clayton S.
"Excellent place for the kids! Everyone is so nice and helpful."
- Xiomara V. via Google
"I absolutely love this dentist office and staff. Everyone is friendly and professional."
- Karla L. via Google
"Amazing experience with my daughters first dentist visit!!"
- C. J. via Google
"Awesome staff. Very friendly. Professional and awesome environment. We have been looking all over town for a great dentist and this place is it. My 10 year old always had fear of going to the dentist. But this place made her feel comfortable and worry free. Thank you for providing the best service for my daughter."
- Jeffrey F. via Google
"BEST DENTIST FOR KIDS EVER!!! ❤️ MY DAUGHTER LOVES TO GO TO THE DENTIST.."
- Liz Marie M. via Google
"My son has been here since he was 3yrs old, he loves watching the movies while they check and clean his teeth. Very kid friendly, always keep the parent informed on progress, treatment and next visits. Would never go anywhere else!!!"
- Christopher III E.
"Everyone in this office is so nice and helpful. I've only been twice with my son and they have both been Amazing experiences. Thanks for taking care of my baby !! ❤️"
- Aaden R.
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