Current offers: $0 Exam, Cleaning and X-Rays with Insurance. 0% Financing Available. In-House Membership for $395 per year (lump-sum). Same-Day Appointments Available.
Gentle, fun, and fear-free dental care for growing smiles. We help kids build healthy habits that last a lifetime.
Quick 2-min form · No credit card needed · Or call for same-day care
My kids actually look forward to their dental visits now. Dr. Fatima is incredible with children — patient, gentle, and explains everything. Our whole family comes here.
Jennifer A., mother of 3
Pediatric dental patient parent
Age 1 First Visits
Building positive dental habits from the very start.
Gentle Care
Gentle techniques and fun amenities to make visits easy.
Preventive Focus
Sealants and fluoride to stop cavities before they start.
Orthodontic Look-Ahead
Monitoring growth to catch alignment issues early.
Professional Memberships & Clinical Fellowships
Your care is led by Dr. Ambereen Fatima, D.D.S. — Fellow, ICOI (FICOI) · Fellow, AAIP (FAAIP)
Among a small percentage of U.S. dentists with dual implant fellowships
Pediatric dentistry focuses on the oral health of infants, children, and adolescents, including preventive care, cavity treatment, sealants, fluoride applications, and monitoring the development of primary and permanent teeth. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a child's first dental visit by age one or within six months of the first tooth erupting.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Ambereen Fatima, D.D.S. — FICOI · FAAIP · Last reviewed · Meet Our Team
Pediatric dentistry focuses on the oral health of infants, children, and adolescents, including preventive care, cavity treatment, sealants, fluoride applications, and monitoring the development of primary and permanent teeth. The AAPD recommends a child’s first dental visit by age one.
Patient Story
“I’ve been coming here since I was a teenager. It’s awesome — relaxing and comfortable. Innova is a very great experience.”
Long-Term Patient — Since Teenage Years
We know that a great dental experience today means a healthy smile tomorrow. Here’s how we make visits fun, safe, and positive.
Every visit ends with a fun reward for being a great helper.
We explain everything in kid-friendly language before we do it.
You're always welcome in the treatment room with your child.
Our approach changes as your child grows — from playful first visits to straightforward conversations with teens.
We make the first visit 'happy visits'—touring the office, counting teeth, and picking a prize from the treasure chest to build positive memories.
Regular cleanings, fluoride, and sealants protect growing teeth from cavities before they start.
Dr. Fatima tracks jaw development and crowding early, so we can intervene with simple orthodontics if needed.
As your child grows, we shift focus to confidence, hygiene coaching, and teen-friendly options like Invisalign.
Confidence Starts with the First Visit
As a trusted Family Dentist in Marlborough, we know that a positive first dental experience sets the foundation for a lifetime of healthy habits. For your child's first visit, we want you to know that parents are always welcome in the treatment room to reduce anxiety. We don’t just jump into an exam; we use a low-pressure approach.
We show them the "cool chairs" that go up and down and the little "tooth shower" (sprayer).
We tell them what a tool does, show them on their hand, and then do it on their tooth—zero surprises.
Every helper visit ends with a trip to the treasure chest to pick out a prize!
As your dedicated Family Dentist in Marlborough, we provide more than just cleanings. We deliver total oral health protection for active, growing kids.
Sealants are thin, BPA-free protective coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth — where 90% of childhood cavities develop. The CDC reports that school-age children without sealants have nearly 3× more cavities than children with sealants.
Molars have deep pits and grooves that trap food and bacteria — areas that even thorough brushing can miss. Dental sealants fill these grooves with a safe, BPA-free resin that creates a smooth, easy-to-clean surface.
Application takes about 60 seconds per tooth. There are no needles, no drilling, and no discomfort. We clean the tooth, apply a conditioning gel, paint on the sealant, and cure it with a gentle LED light. Your child can eat and drink immediately after.
Sealants last 5–10 years with normal wear. We check their integrity at every six-month cleaning and reapply if needed — at no additional cost during your child’s preventive visit.
80%
Cavity reduction in sealed molars (ADA)
Covered
Most plans cover sealants for children
60 sec
Per tooth — comfortable, no-drill application
Most dental insurance plans cover sealants for children under 14 at 80–100%. Our team verifies your benefits before treatment so you know your costs upfront.
Children's dental needs change as they grow. Here's what we focus on at each stage of development.
We use advanced tools designed to be faster, quieter, and less intimidating — so your child associates the dentist with a positive experience.
Up to 90% less radiation than traditional film X-rays. Images appear instantly on a screen — no waiting, no dark room, no scary equipment.
A tiny camera that shows kids (and parents) exactly what we see inside the mouth. Turns the visit into a learning experience rather than a mystery.
If impressions are needed, our digital scanner replaces messy putty trays. A quick, comfortable scan — no gagging, no discomfort.
Older kids and teens can watch their favorite show or listen to music during treatment. Drowns out dental sounds that can trigger anxiety.
We use topical numbing gel before any injection and the gentlest injection technique. Many kids don’t even realize they received a shot.
Available for anxious kids — wears off within minutes, no lingering drowsiness. Your child leaves happy and ready for the rest of their day.
Preventive care for children is typically 100% covered by dental insurance — cleanings, exams, fluoride, and sealants. Most families pay nothing out of pocket for their child’s preventive visits.
Cleaning & Exam
100%
Typically fully covered for children
Fluoride Treatment
Covered
Included in most pediatric plans
Dental Sealants
Covered
Most plans cover sealants for children
Membership Plan
Available
Affordable option for uninsured families
Most dental insurance plans cover children’s preventive care at 80–100%. We verify your benefits before each visit. HSA/FSA eligible — children’s dental care qualifies for pre-tax funds. No insurance? Ask about our membership plan designed for families.
Schedule your child’s visit today and see the difference gentle, patient-centered care makes.
“My kids actually look forward to their dental visits now!”
— Amanda P.
Innova Smiles provides compassionate pediatric dental care at our Marlborough, MA practice, building lifetime dental health habits for children and families throughout MetroWest — including Hudson, Framingham, Northborough, Southborough, Sudbury, Westborough, Shrewsbury, and Hopkinton.
The American Dental Association (ADA) and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) both recommend that a child’s first dental visit occur when the first tooth appears — or by their first birthday, whichever comes first. This early visit is not just about checking teeth; it is about establishing a relationship with a caring dental team, teaching parents proper infant oral hygiene, and identifying any early developmental concerns.
Early dental visits also help children develop a positive association with dental care before any treatment becomes necessary. Children who start visiting the dentist early are significantly less likely to develop dental anxiety as adults — and far less likely to need extensive treatment later because problems are caught and addressed early.
At Innova Smiles, we offer a full range of preventive services specifically for children: dental sealants (thin protective coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth), fluoride treatments, and age-appropriate oral hygiene instruction. Sealants alone reduce the risk of decay in back teeth by nearly 80% — making them one of the highest-value preventive investments in pediatric dental care.
We also monitor the development of your child’s bite and jaw as they grow. When baby teeth are lost too early due to decay or injury, space maintainers preserve the gap so adult teeth can erupt in their proper positions — preventing crowding and reducing the likelihood of future orthodontic treatment. Catching problems early helps children grow into healthy adult smiles.
Schedule your child’s dental visit at Innova Smiles, located at 340 Maple St, Suite 100, Marlborough, MA 01752. Call (508) 481-0110 or use our online scheduling link. Serving Hudson, Framingham, Northborough, Southborough, Sudbury, Westborough, Shrewsbury, Hopkinton, and all of MetroWest.
Four things we hold ourselves to at every appointment. No exceptions.
Espressos, weighted blankets, noise-canceling headphones, and anesthesia techniques that most patients say they barely felt. Your comfort comes first.
We eliminate guesswork. Using sub-millimeter 3D scanning, we plan every restoration with surgical accuracy for a precise, lasting fit.
You see a line-by-line cost breakdown before any treatment starts. The number we quote is the number you pay.
We follow rigorous protocols. Our studio meets and exceeds American Dental Association and CDC sterilization standards to ensure patient safety.
Kids who have good early dental visits are less likely to develop dental anxiety. Our office is set up to make children comfortable, and most of them actually enjoy coming back.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child’s first dental appointment happens by their first birthday or when their first tooth erupts. This “Happy Visit” is about getting them comfortable with the chair, the lights, and our team — not treatment. Most kids leave smiling.
Kids get cavities faster because baby teeth have thinner enamel. Our preventive program catches problems early with sealants, fluoride, and regular monitoring.
Positive dental experiences in childhood become a lifetime of healthy habits — that’s the real value of great pediatric dentistry.
Children who develop positive associations with dental visits keep those habits through adolescence and adulthood.
The whole family under one roof — kids and adults can schedule visits together and build healthy routines as a family.
Healthy teeth and a confident smile give children the freedom to play, speak, and engage without self-consciousness.
Our treatment recommendations are informed by peer-reviewed research and clinical evidence.
Dental sealants reduce caries in permanent molars by up to 78% at 2 years and remain effective up to 48 months
Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2017 PubMed
Fluoride varnish reduces caries risk by 12% in preschoolers (RR 0.88) with NNT of 17
Caries Res, 2019 PubMed
Children with early dental visits by age 1 have 40% lower dental-related costs and more subsequent preventive visits
Clin Cosmet Investig Dent, 2014 PubMed
Digital impressions reduce retake rates by up to 50% vs. traditional molds
Industry consensus, 2020
Same-day emergency scheduling reduces risk of complications from delayed treatment
ADA, 2023
Explore our Kids Dental education hub
Free Assessment
In-depth guides from Dr. Fatima to help you make confident, informed decisions.
In-depth guides from Dr. Fatima to help you make confident, informed decisions.
Our dental office is at 340 Maple St, Suite 100, Marlborough, MA 01752, serving patients throughout the MetroWest region.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a first visit by age one or when the first tooth erupts. This early 'happy visit' helps your child get comfortable with the dental home and allows our pediatric dentist Marlborough MA team to provide guidance on teething and hygiene.
Sealants are highly recommended for children once their permanent molars come in (around age 6). They provide a protective barrier against cavities in the deep grooves of back teeth where brushing can miss.
Yes. Dr. Fatima monitors jaw growth and bite alignment at every checkup. Early detection of crowding or bite issues allows for simpler, less invasive interventions later.
We specialize in anxious patients! As the go-to pediatric dentist in Marlborough for nervous kids — serving families from Hudson to Northborough — our 'Tell-Show-Do' method, gentle approach, and distraction amenities help everyone feel completely safe and relaxed.
Baby teeth act as placeholders for adult teeth. If a baby tooth is lost too early due to decay, the surrounding teeth can shift, blocking the adult tooth and causing severe crowding. Untreated infection in baby teeth can also spread to the developing permanent tooth underneath or cause facial swelling.
Yes. We use digital X-rays which reduce radiation exposure by up to 90% compared to traditional film. We also use lead aprons and thyroid collars as an extra precaution. X-rays are vital for seeing cavities between teeth that we cannot see with the naked eye.
Fluoride is nature's cavity fighter. It strengthens the enamel, making it more resistant to acid attacks from bacteria and sugar. Professional fluoride varnish applications are a quick, safe way to dramatically reduce your child's risk of decay.
Thumb sucking is normal for infants, but if it continues past age 3 or 4, it can affect the shape of the jaw and how teeth bite together. We can provide gentle guidance and positive reinforcement strategies to help your child break the habit.
We are a family-focused practice providing gentle pediatric dentistry for children in Marlborough and Southborough. We recommend a child’s first visit by age one. Our high-tech, welcoming environment makes kids feel safe and builds a foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles.