6 minute read
INFOCUS
SMILES, SUNSHINE & SONGS
WHEN CHILDREN VISIT JENKINS DENTISTRY FOR KIDS, THEY FORGET THEY’RE AT THE DENTIST
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WRITTEN BY JUDY GOPPERT PHOTOS BY JAMI BOWMAN
Dr. Jill Jenkins feels strongly about treating children with the same values she carries throughout her business, which emulates a culture of joy, abundance and authentic connection. “We use fun names for procedures and equipment, including Sleepy Juice, Teeth Selfies, and calling the dental chair a chariot. Our goal truly is to make them forget they’re at the dentist and take them on a magical adventure!” says Dr. Jenkins. “When you hear the word ‘shot,’ you anticipate something painful and uncomfortable. We talk to the kids about our magic potion to make their tooth feel frozen and do some magic tricks to turn it into a princess tooth. Many parents tell me that when they sit down at the dinner table after their appointment, their kids tell the whole magical story, and nothing about the actual dental treatment.” Dr. Jenkins explains that dentistry was secondary to a career working with kids, as she realized from a young age she was able to connect with kids and understand where they are coming from. She discovered pediatric dentistry as a junior in high school when John Haynes, Chair of the Pediatric Department at UMKC, gave a career presentation about pediatric dentistry. “There were multiple career options, but this one spoke to my soul,” says Dr. Jenkins. “He ended up being my mentor throughout dental school and my residency and has been with me through the years.” Following her graduation from UMKC School of Dentistry, she and her husband Brad moved to Western Kansas in Quinter and Wakeeney, then did her postdoctoral pediatric residency at Children’s Mercy Hospital. She decided to shift gears and open her own practice in 2020, and says it has been nice to be able to take the values she believes in and integrate them throughout all processes in the new practice. The mouth is integral to overall health, and not only does the team at Jenkins Dentistry look at teeth, but
Pictured:
Dr. Jill Jenkins, DDS
the entire oral cavity. “There are a lot of connections to overall health in the mouth,” says Dr. Jenkins. “Many parents tell me that they don’t go to the dentist because they had so many bad experiences when they were young. I think it’s so important to create a positive experience for kiddos and set them on a positive dental journey for life.”
The parents who bring their children to Jenkins Dentistry resonate with this philosophy. One of the parents stated, “Dr. Jenkins has the most caring and compassionate heart toward children. This quality helped our four-year-old daughter get through a very extensive procedure in the best way possible. Not only is Dr. Jenkins amazing with children, but her skills are unmatched as well. Dr. Jenkins treated our daughter as if she were her own child. Our confidence and belief in Dr. Jenkins’ skills and professionalism is why we traveled over six hours for our daughter’s surgery!” Dr. Jenkins notes that they recently added a new dentist to their team. “Right now we are all women dentists and mothers, and recently welcomed Dr. Kelsey Martinez, who joins my amazing team with Dr. Adela Casa and Dr. Dharti Gandhi,” she says. “We also opened our second office in Lenexa in July and the doctors rotate between locations to be able to meet the needs and conveniences of our patients.” Dr. Jenkins also just finished her term as president of the Kansas Dental Association, is past president of the local Johnson County Dental Society, and is currently a Kansas delegate for the American Dental Association. She credits her mentor for instilling in her that it is a privilege to treat kids and it’s a privilege to be a dentist, which necessitates giving back and being a part of the community. As a practice they support the Make-A-Wish Foundation and will sponsor a Make-A-Wish child this year. Give them a call. Your chariot awaits!
Jenkins Dentistry for Kids • jenkinsdentistryforkids.com Shawnee / 6810 Silverheel, Shawnee, KS • 913.745.2500 Lenexa / 8700 Bourgade Ave., Lenexa, KS • 913.270.4220
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