Dental Care Teens at
Dental Care Kids
Practice highlights
Stamford Teen Specialists
1500 Summer St + Free parking
Orthodontic Evaluations
Right next door - Free for Teen Patients
Emergency Teen Care
Same-day appointments + 24/7 calls
1,000+ 5-Star Reviews
Voted Best Dentist for Teens–Stamford CT
A Dedicated Dental Home Built for Teens — Not a Kids’ Office With Older Patients
Teens aren’t just “bigger kids.” They have different dental needs, different concerns, and a very different idea of what a dental office should feel like. At Dental Care Teens — our dedicated teen program at 1500 Summer St. — we give older children and teenagers a space that treats them like the young adults they are, paired with clinicians who specialize in the unique dental and developmental challenges of adolescence.
No balloons. No cartoons. No awkward “you’re too old for this office” energy. Instead: an iPad bar, cool music, ceiling-mounted TVs with Netflix, a graffiti wall, and a team that actually knows how to talk to teenagers about their oral health without being preachy about it.
"Treating teens like young adults, because that’s who they’re becoming."Dental Care Teens — 1500 Summer St, Stamford
Why Teens Deserve Their Own Dental Space
The years between roughly 12 and 18 are a dental turning point. Permanent teeth are all (or nearly all) in, wisdom teeth are on the way, orthodontic treatment is often active or just finishing, and teens are starting to make their own decisions about diet, habits, and self-care. The clinical priorities shift — and so does the patient experience.
Most pediatric practices handle teens as an afterthought: same waiting room, same stickers-and-prizes setup, same chairside approach. Teens notice. They feel out of place, disengage from their own care, and often end up “aging out” of dentistry entirely until a problem forces them back in — sometimes years later.
We designed Dental Care Teens to prevent that. The space, the team, and the clinical approach are all built around a simple idea: treat teens like young adults, because that’s what they’re becoming.
The Teen Space —
What Makes It Different
When teens walk into Dental Care Teens, they immediately feel the difference from the pediatric side of the office:
iPad bar
the original Dental Care iPad bar, where teens can hang out before their appointment
Ceiling-mounted TVs with Netflix
so teens can pick what they actually want to watch during their visit
Cool music, not children’s songs
a playlist that fits the age group
Graffiti wall
photo-worthy, actually cool-looking, and a Stamford-teen favorite
Age-appropriate reading material and conversation
tailored specifically to connect with adolescents naturally
Private, teen-focused treatment bays
separate flow from the pediatric side when possible
Independence-building care
teens speak directly with the dentist about their own treatment, not just “through” their parent
OUR SOLUTIONS
Clinical Focus — What We Treat for Teens
Adolescence brings a specific set of dental concerns that pediatric and adult practices often handle less expertly than a dedicated teen program. Our teen services include:
Routine Preventive Care
Twice-yearly cleanings and exams are still the foundation — but with teen-specific education on plaque control, diet choices, and the long-term impact of habits being formed now. Most teens also benefit from continued fluoride and sealant protection.
Wisdom Teeth Evaluation & Extraction
The third molars typically begin to erupt between ages 17–25. Many teens don’t have enough jaw space to accommodate them, and impacted or partially-erupted wisdom teeth can cause pain, infection, and pressure on adjacent teeth.
We recommend a panoramic X-ray wisdom teeth evaluation between ages 15–18, before problems develop. When extraction is needed, our board-trained oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Jonathan Cohen handles the surgical procedure — five years of hospital-based residency at a Level One Trauma Center, chief resident experience, and active BLS/ACLS certifications. Teens stay in a familiar setting rather than being referred to an unfamiliar surgical office.
Orthodontic Coordination
The teen years are peak orthodontic years. Our orthodontist partners at Dental Care Orthodontics are located right next door — same building, same floor — which means your teen’s general dentist and orthodontist can collaborate in real time on treatment planning, monitoring, and timing.
All Dental Care Kids and Dental Care Teens patients receive free orthodontic evaluations with DCO, whether or not treatment is ultimately recommended.
Common teen ortho topics we help navigate:
- When to start treatment — some teens benefit from earlier (Phase I) treatment; others wait for all permanent teeth to erupt
- Braces vs. clear aligners — pros, cons, and which is right for your teen’s case and lifestyle
- Extractions for ortho space — occasionally needed to create room for proper alignment
- Retainer compliance — post-braces maintenance that teens often struggle with
Sports Mouthguards
More than 3 million teeth are knocked out each year in sporting events, according to the American Dental Association. A properly fitted mouthguard reduces the risk of dental trauma dramatically — and custom-fit mouthguards from a dental office are far more effective (and comfortable) than boil-and-bite drugstore versions.
We fabricate custom athletic mouthguards for teens playing contact sports including football, hockey, lacrosse, basketball, soccer, martial arts, wrestling, and skateboarding. If your teen has braces, a properly designed orthodontic mouthguard is especially important — impact on braces without protection can cause serious soft-tissue injuries.
Vaping, Nicotine & Oral Health
We have frank, non-judgmental conversations with teens about vaping and its oral-health impact. The research is clear: e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches cause:
- Gum recession and gum disease — nicotine restricts blood flow to the gums
- Increased cavity risk — flavored vape juices contain sugars and acidic compounds
- Dry mouth — which accelerates decay
- Discoloration of teeth and restorations
- “Vaper’s tongue” and altered taste
- Delayed healing after dental procedures
If your teen vapes, we’d rather know than not know — we can tailor their preventive care accordingly and talk directly with them about reducing their risk.
Cosmetic Dentistry for Teens
Teens increasingly come in with specific cosmetic concerns — usually about whitening, chipped teeth from sports or falls, stains from orthodontic appliances, or gaps and misalignments. We handle many of these conservatively in-house:
- Teen-appropriate whitening — professional-grade treatments safer than drugstore kits
- Composite bonding — to repair chips, close minor gaps, or reshape teeth
- Post-orthodontic polishing — to address any staining left behind after braces come off
- Referrals to Dental Care of Stamford (a separate office one floor up) for more involved cosmetic work like veneers
Oral Piercing Counseling
If your teen has — or is considering — a tongue, lip, or cheek piercing, we can talk through the oral health risks (chipped teeth, gum recession, infection, nerve damage) and provide guidance on hygiene and monitoring. Judgment-free.
Nutrition & Hydration Counseling
Sports drinks, energy drinks, and bubble tea are quietly destroying teen teeth at rates dentists didn’t see a generation ago. We cover the real science of erosion vs. decay, identify which drinks do what, and give teens practical workarounds rather than vague “stop drinking that” lectures.
Dental Anxiety & Sedation Options
If your teen has dental anxiety — common, and especially likely if they had a bad experience earlier in life — we offer the full range of sedation options, from nitrous oxide to oral sedation to IV sedation for more extensive work.
Your Teen’s Dentists
Every clinician on our teen dental team combines specialized training with a personalized, age-appropriate approach designed specifically for adolescents.
Dr. Karim Elmansoury — Dedicated Teen Dentist
Dedicated Teen Dentist
Our newest addition to the pediatric team, Dr. Elmansoury leads the Dental Care Teens program with a calm, patient-focused approach designed specifically for adolescents.
Dr. Jonathan Cohen — Oral Surgeon for Teens
Oral Surgeon for Teens
When wisdom teeth or surgical extractions are needed, teens see Dr. Cohen — NYU College of Dentistry (DDS, multiple honors) followed by a five-year residency in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at Rutgers / University Hospital, a Level One Trauma Center. Chief Resident in his final year. Active BLS and ACLS certifications. He was recognized twice at his training hospital with the Patient Advocacy Award for his gentle, patient-centered approach.
The Rest of the Team
Pediatric Specialists & Hygienists
Teens also see our pediatric specialists and hygienists as appropriate — particularly for cleanings, restorative work, and emergency care. Our whole team is trained to adapt communication style and clinical approach by age.
The Transition From Kids to Teens — and Eventually to Adult Dentistry
One of the quiet advantages of our practice structure is that families don’t have to switch dental homes every few years. Here’s how the transition works:
Dental Care Kids
pediatric specialists, kid-designed office, “show, tell, do” approach
Dental Care Teens
dedicated teen space, teen-focused clinical care, ortho coordination with DCO
Dental Care Stamford
our adult practice on the 3rd floor of the same building, where your teen continues their care with full records continuity
No repeat first-visit paperwork. No learning a new practice. No awkward “you’ve aged out” conversation. Your teen simply graduates upward when they’re ready — often as soon as they head off to college or start managing their own healthcare decisions.
What Parents of Teens Often Ask Us
My teen hated the pediatric office — will they actually like it here?
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At what age should my kid move to the teen program?
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Can my teen see the dentist without me in the room?
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When should we do wisdom teeth?
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Does my teen really need a sports mouthguard?
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My teen vapes. How do I talk to them about it?
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Can we get orthodontic treatment here?
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Will my teen’s insurance cover the same things?
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What if my teen has an emergency — like a knocked-out tooth from sports?
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When does my teen “age out” of Dental Care Teens?
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Can siblings at different ages come to the same appointment?
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Ready to Schedule a Teen Visit?
Give Your Teen a Dental Home They’ll Actually Want to Visit
At Dental Care Teens, every visit is built around the simple idea that teens deserve their own space, their own clinicians, and their own voice in their care. Our dedicated teen dentist, partner oral surgeon, and ortho-coordinated practice next door mean your teen’s entire dental life can happen in one building — with no awkward transitions.
Contact & Location
Call (203) 324-6171 to schedule a teen visit, or reach us at frontdesk@dentalcarekids.com. New teen patients and transfers from other practices are warmly welcomed.
1500 Summer St., 2nd Floor, Stamford, CT We serve families across Stamford, Greenwich, New Canaan, Darien, and nearby Westchester County, NY.
Evening appointments available Tuesday–Thursday until 7 pm, plus Saturday hours