At eyeSMILE, we believe that a lifetime of healthy smiles starts with positive, stress-free experiences during childhood. We know that bringing your child to the dentist can sometimes feel daunting for both parent and child. That is why Dr. Jarrod Jones, Dr. Christine Thomas, and our welcoming dental team treat your little ones like members of our own family.

Conveniently located on the Bricks of Downtown Hays, our office provides a comfortable, family-friendly environment designed to make dental visits something your kids actually look forward to.

Complete Care for Every Stage of Growth

We provide comprehensive pediatric oral care tailored to the distinct biological and developmental milestones of childhood. Our practice acts as a complete dental home from infancy through adolescence:

  • Infants & Toddlers (Ages 0 to 3): We focus on monitoring primary tooth eruption, assessing early jaw development, and guiding parents through teething and infant oral hygiene.
  • Young Children (Ages 4 to 10): Preventive treatments take center stage here. We protect growing smiles with gentle cleanings, cavity-preventing dental sealants, and custom athletic mouthguards for local youth sports.
  • Preteens & Teens (Ages 11 to 18): As permanent adult teeth settle in, we focus on advanced cavity prevention, wisdom teeth assessments, and tracking alignment to determine if orthodontic interventions are needed.

What to Expect: Your Child's First Dental

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends establishing a “dental home” by your child’s first birthday or within six months of their very first tooth appearing. Our step-by-step introduction process is gentle, unhurried, and completely focused on building trust.

Gentle Lap-to-Lap Exam:Duration: ~5 mins.

For infants and toddlers, the exam is completed while they rest comfortably in your lap. We gently check the health of their gums, tongue, and emerging teeth, assessing for early signs of decay or developmental concerns.

Parent Coaching & Strategy:Duration: ~15 mins.

We wrap up by partnering with you. We discuss proper brushing techniques for little mouths, thumb-sucking habits, nutrition tips for cavity prevention, and answer any questions you have about your child’s oral health journey.

Keeping Comfort First: Sedation & Behavior Guidance

Many children feel naturally nervous about dental treatments. Our team is specifically trained in positive behavioral guidance strategies, using kid-friendly language to explain procedures before we ever begin.

For children who experience higher levels of dental anxiety, have sensitive gags, or require more extensive restorative work, we offer safe, mild sedation options:

  • Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas): A gentle, safe gas breathed through a small nose mask. It helps children feel relaxed, calm, and even giggly during their treatment. It is completely safe, wears off within minutes of removing the mask, and allows your child to resume normal daily activities immediately.

Urgent Care: Kids’ Dental Emergencies in Hays

Accidents happen, especially when kids are active. If your child experiences a dental crisis, you do not have to handle it alone. We prioritize pediatric dental emergencies to provide rapid relief when it matters most.

If a permanent tooth is knocked out: Touch only the crown (the top part), rinse it gently with water if dirty (do not scrub), and try to gently place it back in the socket. If that is not possible, place the tooth in a container of clean milk and call our office immediately at 785-621-4242. Fast action within 60 minutes gives us the best chance of saving the tooth.

Pediatric Dentistry Pricing & Insurance Transparency

We firmly believe that high-quality pediatric care should be accessible to families throughout Ellis County. We provide total clarity regarding costs before any treatment begins.

  • Routine Preventive Visits: Routine cleanings, exams, and diagnostic digital X-rays are typically covered at 100% by most dental insurance plans.
  • Restorative Care (Fillings, Pulpotomies): If your child requires a filling or protective crown, we provide a complete breakdown of what your insurance is estimated to pay and your precise out-of-pocket costs.
  • Flexible Options: We accept a wide range of regional dental insurance providers and offer flexible financing options like Sunbit, Cherry Financing or CareCredit to make out-of-pocket expenses manageable for your family budget.

Ready to Join the eyeSMILE Family?

Give your child the gift of a healthy, confident smile in an office that treats them like family. Visit us at the corner of 13th and Main in Downtown Hays.

Schedule Your Child's Visit Today