Help for Anxious Kids at the Dentist

Lots of kids feel nervous about the dentist, and some feel truly afraid. The Kid's Place was built for exactly these children. We combine a fun, kid-only office with gentle technology and, when needed, sedation, so even very anxious kids can get the care they need and leave with a positive experience.

An Office Designed for Kids

The Kid's Place is exactly what the name says: a dental office designed specifically for children. Arcade games, movies, massage chairs and free slushies help visits feel like fun instead of something to dread. Our team are all big kids at heart, and we focus on making every child feel comfortable and excited about their visit.

Acclimation Visits

For children who are very anxious, we offer acclimation visits designed to help them get comfortable with our office, our team and the dental chair before treatment begins.

Painless Numbing

Fear of shots is a common source of dental anxiety. Our DentalHiTech painless injection system delivers numbing so gently that most kids don't even know they got a shot.

Sedation for Moderate to Severe Anxiety

When a child's anxiety is more than reassurance can handle, Dr. Wilkerson offers several levels of sedation dentistry:

• Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for mild to moderate anxiety. Your child stays awake but relaxed.
• Oral conscious sedation for moderate anxiety or more extensive work. Your child feels drowsy and relaxed.
• In-office general anesthesia for severe anxiety, special needs or extensive treatment. Your child sleeps through the visit, monitored by a visiting board-certified anesthesia professional.

Children with Special Needs

We care for children with developmental and behavioral challenges, including in-office sedation when traditional care is difficult. Talk with us about what works best for your child.

Experience You Can Trust

Dr. Michael K. Wilkerson is a board-certified pediatric dentist who has cared for Boerne and Texas Hill Country kids for over 30 years. Our team also speaks Spanish.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can you do for a child who is scared of the dentist?

We start with a kid-friendly office and a gentle team, offer acclimation visits to help anxious children get comfortable, and use DentalHiTech painless numbing. For more severe anxiety we offer nitrous oxide, oral sedation and in-office general anesthesia.

Does my anxious child need sedation?

Not always. Many nervous children do well with our kid-friendly approach and painless numbing. Dr. Wilkerson will recommend sedation only when it is the best fit for your child's needs and treatment.

Do you see children with special needs?

Yes. We care for children with developmental and behavioral challenges and offer sedation options, including in-office general anesthesia, when traditional care is difficult.