Pediatric Dentistry
Specialties & Conditions Dentistry
The Division of Pediatric Dentistry provides comprehensive and preventive oral health care for infants, children, teens and patients with special needs. We treat more than 5,000 pediatric patients and complete approximately 1,000 dental surgery procedures each year. For more than 40 years, our division has focused on the care of patients who have medical conditions that prevent them from receiving care in the conventional private-practice dental setting.
We provide ongoing dental care or will create a dental care plan for your child to use with your community pediatric dentist. We also provide comprehensive oral health care for children being treated at Lurie Children’s, including orthodontic services for qualifying patients.
Our dentists have the training, experience and properly equipped facility (operating room) to safely provide general anesthesia or sedation for anxious children and kids with disabilities, even those whom other dental offices could not treat. We operate a sedation clinic for patients who require sedation during dental procedures. We have many satisfied families who are grateful that their child has found a dental home.
Experience
Our team includes:
- Pediatric dentists
- Oral and maxillofacial surgeons
- Orthodontists for the cleft lip and palate/craniofacial team
- Dental assistants
To focus on your child’s total health, we also work with other medical specialties at Lurie Children’s, including:
- Allergy
- Cancer Center (Oncology and Hematology)
- Cardiology
- Infectious Disease
- Neurology
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
The head of the Division of Pediatric Dentistry, Ray J. Jurado, DDS, is board certified in pediatric dentistry from the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Jurado is also the Program Director of Pediatric Dentistry at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
Approach
Lurie Children’s provides a child-centered environment and care that focuses on total health and prevention. Our pediatric dentists always provide the attention, time and compassion that your child deserves.
Our dental services include:
- Infant oral healthcare
- Oral healthcare for special-needs patients
- Treatment of advanced, complex dental disease under general anesthesia
- Restorative dentistry, including using white crowns on front (anterior) teeth
- Dental emergency care
Our oral and maxillofacial surgery services include:
- Pediatric oral and maxiollofacial surgery
- Craniofacial Anomalies
- Cleft Lip and Palate
- Corrective jaw surgery
- Facial trauma
We believe in family-centered care. Our team allows families to take part in their child’s dental experience, both in our dental office and as an active partner in planning the child’s oral healthcare.
Our dentists also conduct cutting-edge research of dental materials, such as use of probiotics to prevent tooth decay, especially in children at high risk for cavities.
Conditions We Treat
Learn more about the dental and oral/maxillofacial conditions we treat.
Learn MoreDentistry News & Stories
Appointments
Our faculty dentists are specialized in pediatric dentistry and oral and maxillofacial surgery. We cater to patients who are in need of gentle dental care, including children with special needs. For your convenience, our affiliated community pediatric dentists see patients in their own offices at many locations in the greater Chicago area.
Make an Appointment Online
- Existing MyChart users: If you have a Lurie Children's MyChart account, log in at mychart.luriechildrens.org to schedule your appointments.
- New Patients & Non-MyChart users: Please fill out our Online Scheduling Form to schedule an appointment online or request an appointment. After you request an appointment, a MyChart account will be set up for you to schedule appointments online.
Make an Appointment By Phone
Please call 312.227.6050.
Referrals
Referring dentists and physicians can request a consultation for procedures under sedation with this form.
Training & Education
Through our partnership with the Feinberg School, we offer a two-year residency training program in pediatric dentistry. We also provide information about pediatric dentistry to community doctors and dentists.
Philanthropy
Our division has received private contributions to support orthodontic care for patients who cannot otherwise afford treatment, as well as to train future pediatric dentists. Your support is vital in helping us continue to make a difference in the lives of patients and families. Lurie Children’s relies on philanthropic funding to enhance its programs, services and research for children. To learn more, please e-mail Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation at foundation@luriechildrens.org, call 312.227.7500 or make a gift today.