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www.FredericksburgParent.NET 11 Sponsored Material Ask the Expert a sk t h e e x p e rt Aware that dental visits can spark anxiety for many children, Dr. Kato has made it her mission to help every pa ent feel relaxed and confi dent. At Suite Tooth Pediatrics, that comfort begins the moment families walk in – with fewer pa ents scheduled at one me, a bright play area, colorful chairs, themed rooms, refreshments for parents, and spaces designed to give kids more privacy during visits. Dr. Kato also ensures that each child feels in control of their visit, from choosing what they want to watch on the television during their appoint- ment to having every part of the process explained and shown to them beforehand. She noted, "As adults, we o en just tell children what to do instead of asking for consent. I tell children what I'm going to do, show them what's going to happen, and ask them, 'Are you okay if I do this?' to make them feel like they're in control of their dental experience too." By giving dental tools playful names and sending pa ents home with prizes and balloons, Dr. Kato strives to make each visit fun. And for children who need more assistance or have addi onal sensi vi es, Suite Tooth Pediatrics off ers "Happy Visits," dedicated appointments with less s mula on, private offi ce tours, and personalized a en on to ensure that children have a posi ve experience. Suite Tooth Pediatrics serves children from birth to 18 years of age, with Dr. Kato echoing the recommenda on of the American Academy of Pe- diatric Den stry (AAPD) that all children see a den st by the end of their fi rst year of life. "Baby teeth are important, as they help your child eat and develop and have adequate nutri on, and your baby teeth guide permanent teeth into the correct place," she said. "Baby teeth are just as important [as perma- nent teeth], and we want to take care of them as well," she con nued. Dr.Kato pictured visi ng an elementary school in Staff ord, VA for Children's Oral Health Awareness Month in February 2025. Dr. Kato's top ps for parents looking to support their children's dental health include brushing twice a day with fl uoride toothpaste, introducing fl oss at an early age, and maintaining dental visits to ensure con nual preventa ve care. As a mother of young children, she understands that den- tal care at home can be tricky for many families. For those with children who resist brushing their teeth, Dr. Kato recommends weaving it into the daily rou ne and fi nding ways to make it enjoyable. "Children are independent, so let them be independent and brush their teeth fi rst, and then follow up behind them. Electric brushes or colorful brushes with their favorite characters can be fun. Timers or singing a cool song are also helpful to make sure you're brushing long enough. Find ways to make it fun, and add it to their rou ne," she said. In addi on to ensuring that children are ac ve par ci- pants in the dental process, Dr. Kato and her team at Suite Tooth Pediatrics strive to impart lifelong healthy habits to their pa ents and the greater community through their par cipa on in local events and their part- nerships with schools. "We've done a lot of oral hygiene outreach, where we bring out our puppet and go over brushing techniques and give out informa on as a resource to parents," said Dr. Kato. Dr. Kato sees pediatric dental care as a team eff ort – sup- por ng not just the child, but the parent as well. "I love how ght-knit this community is, and I can really tell that the parents here care about their children and are invested in their children's futures. It makes me so happy to be a part of this community." Learn more about how Suite Tooth Pediatrics is help- ing children and families build lifelong healthy habits at suitetoothpediatrics.com. Dr.Kato and team love to make the dental visit fun and interac ve for pa ents of all ages. Here, she's pictured with a pa ent for her fi rst dental visit!