For over 30 years, Larry Caldwell, DDS has maintained the dental health of children across Fort Bend County. He is a doctor committed to caring for his patients who has watched thousands grow into adults while under his care.
His longevity is based on the fact that he still loves to come to work every day. He loves his job, the staff loves their jobs, and the patients feel the love. And that translates to a loyal client base, recognition within the field, and word of mouth referrals that make advertising virtually unnecessary.
Anne Pencak is a long-time staffer who has watched Caldwell interact with families while building his dental practice. She joins a team of hygienists, Caldwell, and his fellow pediatric dentist Derek Steinbring, in creating a family atmosphere that welcomes children and makes them feel at ease while having dental procedures and cleanings.
Pencak said, “Our patients have no fear to begin with because we show them compassion and patience. Our doctors have studied and regularly employ behavioral management techniques that gain trust. We talk on our patients’ levels. I’ve seen Dr. Caldwell find ways to get children to laugh while they are having a tooth filled, and that just speaks to the expertise of our staff.” Pencak believes all of this creates an atmosphere of fun and relaxation, not to mention fantastic dental health.
Caldwell is consistently named a top dentist by both his peers and the general public and is noted for his commitment to positive outcomes for all children. A graduate of Baylor University and University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston, Caldwell regularly continues his training and professional development to stay abreast of the latest techniques. Years before many in the field had even heard of “buffering,” he used it on his young patients to reduce unnecessary side effects during the numbing process. Pencak describes the technique as changing the pH makeup of a local anesthetic to the same as what would be found naturally in the mouth. This allows the dentist to numb the area without pain and without a waiting period, both important when dealing with young patients.
Additionally, Caldwell has a knack for recognizing needs and doing what it takes to meet them. When he noticed that his patients were unable or unwilling to floss around braces, he invented the “Harp Orthodontic Flosser,” a single-handed, reusable flossing tool that works around teeth and braces in half the time of normal flossing. It’s yet another example of how Caldwell’s practice strives to meet patient needs.
Patients find Caldwell through referrals and through the practice’s outreach in the community. One popular program introduces Tillie the Tooth, a costumed molar who visits elementary students in FBISD and teaches kindergartners through second-graders about the importance of dental health. Tillie has distributed over 10,000 free toothbrushes to young students over the years and continues to be a popular program in the area. In addition, Caldwell and his staff sponsor sports teams, participate in Toys for Tots, donate time and programs to the Fort Bend Children Museum, and support select organizations throughout the year.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that all children begin seeing a dentist at one year of age. Caldwell, in an effort to educate parents when their children are young and give them peace of mind about their children’s growing teeth, offers free consultations and exams for children two and under. It’s an excellent way for new parents to meet his staff, become familiar with a consistent hygienist, and develop a positive dental experience for their children.
Both Caldwell and Steinbring are Board Certified through the Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, which means they are trained to treat children of all ages and with all dental issues, as well as special needs children.
Between the expertise of the staff and the accolades the practice has garnered, it’s not surprising that Larry Caldwell, DDS is popular in the Fort Bend community. His philosophy of pediatric dentistry resonates with Pencak, who said, “This practice is our home and our staff is family. As far as we’re concerned, our patients are part of our family, and we look forward to watching them grow up.”