Fort Worth Children’s Dentistry Welcomes Dr. Jonathan Risner

Give your child the highest quality dental care and set them up for a lifetime of healthy smiles at Fort Worth Children’s Dentistry. This Tanglewood neighborhood practice has just added a fourth doctor to their team of Board-certified pediatric dentists: Jonathan Risner, D.M.D.

Photo courtesy of Fort Worth Children’s Dentistry

Joining Dr. Morrow, Dr. Jamison, and Dr. Beville, Dr. Risner fits in like a puzzle piece at the kid-friendly practice, which caters to the unique needs of children. Dental drills are renamed “water whistles” and “tickle toothbrushes.” Hygienists don’t scrape tartar off teeth—they “draw” unicorns and superheroes. The doctors schedule extra time with patients and their parents to discuss cavity prevention and develop good relationships. It’s all part of the mission to establish healthy dental habits with children and to get them comfortable in the dental chair, both of which will serve them well for decades to come.

“Our goal with all of these techniques is to motivate kids to take pride in their oral health and have fun doing it,” says Dr. Risner. He was drawn to the field of pediatric dentistry because of its far-reaching consequences on children’s lives—and for the fun. A graduate of Samford University, Dr. Risner attended dental school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, then received his postdoctoral certificate in Advanced Education in General Dentistry on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona. After two years practicing in San Antonio, Risner completed his residency in Pediatric Dentistry at the Children’s Hospital of Alabama.

Photo courtesy of Fort Worth Children’s Dentistry

Pediatric dentists are the pediatricians of dentistry. Most parents take their child to a pediatrician instead of a general practitioner because they know that kids benefit from  specialized care. But many don’t realize that their child will also benefit from specialized dental care—and that’s exactly what pediatric dentists like Dr. Risner provide. “I think we all agree that the stakes are higher for kids, and they should receive the highest quality care,” he explains.

For Risner and all the doctors at Fort Worth Children’s Dentistry, prevention is key. They strive to educate, motivate, and promote oral health. Routine check-ups should start at a very early age. For this reason, they recommend kids come to see them six months after their first baby tooth arrives or before they reach one year of age. By motivating kids at a young age to take pride in their teeth by establishing smart brushing, flossing, and eating habits, you are setting your child up for a lifetime of good oral health.

Pediatric dentists can also handle emergency situations and dental trauma. “If a 10-year-old has a bike accident and has a tooth pop out, improper treatment can result in a missing front tooth for a lifetime,” says Dr. Risner. “Thankfully, most of what we do isn’t urgent or emergent and allows us to progressively coach patients into better taking care of their teeth.”

Photo courtesy of Fort Worth Children’s Dentistry

Having four Board-certified pediatric dentists isn’t the only thing that sets Fort Worth Children’s Dentistry apart. The neighborhood practice is designed around caring for children’s distinct dental, medical, and emotional needs. Kids come back from the waiting room on their own, leaving behind their anxieties with their parents. They get to wear special sunglasses and sit next to fellow patients in the open bay office, which lets them see other children doing just fine. Fort Worth Children’s Dentistry is also involved in the local community, providing comprehensive dental health programs at schools (when they’re not closed due to Covid-19). In the office, precautionary measures against the virus include extra sterilization, temperature checks, face masks, and social distancing.

Practicing good oral hygiene can help your child stay healthy now and in the future. Poor oral health can contribute to numerous illnesses including heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory problems. With the help of the doctors at Fort Worth Children’s Dentistry, your child will develop the dental care habits that they need for a lifetime of good health—and they’ll have a little fun while they do.

Schedule an appointment today at Fort Worth Children’s Dentistry by calling 817.569.6633 or online at FWKIDS.com.