University Pediatric Dentistry started in 1989 as a way for pediatric dental residents to gain clinical understanding of advanced diagnostic and surgical procedures. While working at our offices, residents also gain knowledge of child psychology and clinical management, oral pathology, child-related pharmacology, radiology, child development, management of oral/facial trauma, care for patients with special needs, conscious sedation, and general anesthesia. 

Since our founding, we’ve expanded to multiple locations throughout the Buffalo region specializing in virtually every aspect of infant to adult oral health care, from simple check-ups to complex oral surgeries. We are the Western New York dental health care experts.

At UPD, we have fifteen wonderful dentists, some of which are faculty and teachers at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. They are all highly trained in their area of expertise. Our team of dentists work together to ensure the oral health of our community alongside residents, dental assistants, dental hygienists, surgical technicians, clerical staff, and administration.

That being said, let’s talk about some of the roles you will see across our seven sites.

Renowned fashion photographer has gifted photoshoots to WNY children.

Rick brings to Buffalo the opportunity to showcase how much we care for inclusivity within our own community.... With his visit we can teach inclusivity by action. With grace we can celebrate each person for who they are.” - Meelin D. Chin Kit-Wells, DDS

Here are some pictures from this past weekend.

Thank you for a fantastic event, Rick!

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ERIE COUNTY, NY - The holidays are a time for family, friends and festive gatherings. But they can also be a time for potential poisoning incidents involving medication, especially in children. That is why the Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) and the Department of Social Services are reminding parents and caregivers to make medication safety a priority during this holiday season.

Here are some safety tips to keep your family safe this upcoming holiday season:

• All prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and supplements should be stored securely, out of reach of children and pets. This includes pills, drops, liquids, creams and medications administered by injection.
• Dispose of unused or expired medications at community kiosks – there are dozens in Erie County; see thepointny.org.
• Anyone who has recently started taking a new drug should inform their family members about potential side effects if needed.
• Do not share prescription medications with others. Take prescription medications only under the guidance of a doctor or health care provider.
• Add the Poison Control number to your phone: 1-800-222-1222. Trained specialists answer these calls 24/7.

Erie County Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale Burstein and Commissioner of Senior Services Angela Marinucci are reinforcing these precautions for the holiday season.

“The widespread use of masks as an infection prevention tool reduced RSV and flu levels during the past two winter seasons,” said Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale Burstein. “Without those preventive measures, these illnesses are back, and disproportionately affecting our community’s youngest residents. These are common viruses, but they can be uncommonly severe for infants and young children. It’s incumbent on each of us to take steps to maintain our own health and protect vulnerable people in our community.”

ECDOH and OCH are echoing the messages shared by the New York State Department of Health on protecting against the “triple threat” of respiratory illnesses this winter season: RSV, flu and COVID-19.

• Stay up to date with flu vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines.
• Stay home from school, work, daycare and other activities if you are sick. 
• Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth if you have symptoms of respiratory illness – coughing, stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat. 
• Masking indoors and social distancing may be important for those who live with higher risk individuals: infants, older adults, pregnant people, and people born pre-term or those with underlying health conditions. 
• Wash your hands often with soap and hot water for least 20 seconds to protect yourself from germs and avoid spreading them to others. 
• Do not cough or sneeze into your hands. Instead, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue. Teach and remind children to do this, too.
• Carry an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol to use when soap and water are not available. 

At UPD, we care about the health of our community, and we partner with various healthcare professionals to ensure that we stay healthy. To us, oral health is deeply connected to our overall health. It has come to our attention that New York State has published information on Tick-Borne diseases, which have more than doubled since 2004-2016. Seven new pathogens have been detected in the US. due to expansion, weather, development, and climate. Not all ticks can cause disease and not all bites will make you sick, but as these diseases become more common it's important to learn how to prevent a bite, how to remove a tick and what to do if you think you could have a tick-borne disease.

Lyme disease is the most common disease spread by ticks in New York but there are other serious illnesses spread by ticks. And like Lyme, the other diseases will begin to spread to other regions across the state. We want our patients and families to be safe, and urge you to watch the video below about the use of tick repellents and how they may help.

Most of us are familiar with the myth of the Tooth Fairy, a magical being, who whisks away discarded baby teeth from under our pillows, and replaces them with money. If you think about it, it is a strange tradition. We encourage children to barter away their teeth for a cash reward, in a deal that takes place while they sleep. Very few of us, however, know how this practice originated.

Teeth grinding, also known as “bruxism,” is the gnashing and clenching of your teeth. According to the American Sleep Association, roughly 30 million Americans are affected by this condition annually.

The overall goal of sedation and anesthesia is to provide the utmost comfort and ease to the patient. The type used depends on the patient’s age as well as the kind of procedure being performed. Click to find out more.

Root Canal: The term might scare you, and make you think of a complicated dental surgery involving a lot of pain; but the procedure is actually quite simple, and relieves the pain that comes along with an infected pulp chamber.

At UPD Dental Associates we do everything we can to make our patients comfortable and make their overall experience a pleasant one; but we also understand that many people, especially little people, have an irrational fear of visiting the dentist.