Dino Kid's Dentistry

08/05/2026

Conservative dental care is a real treatment option.

A cavity isn't a single event — it's a process. Some are advancing and need treatment now. Some are arrested and stable. And some are on a baby tooth that's going to fall out before the cavity ever becomes a problem.

Knowing the difference is an important part of the job.

I just saw a patient who lost a baby tooth we'd been monitoring for years. This tooth had a small cavity — one I could have easily justified filling. But one look at the sad, anxious face of the patient convinced me to think outside the traditional "drill and fill" box. We treated the tooth with silver diamine fluoride to help harden it up. Every checkup I took a very close look, and every time it was still doing okay. Finally, my not-so-little friend came in happily reporting he'd lost the baby tooth.

Success doesn't always mean shots, drilling, and fillings or crowns.

Now — some cavities absolutely do need treatment, and part of my job is telling you plainly which is which. This isn't about avoiding work or cutting corners. It's about matching the treatment to the tooth, the child, and the timeline. A permanent tooth in a six-year-old is a very different decision than a baby tooth on its way out in a twelve-year-old.

But when watching and protecting a tooth is the right call, that's the call we'll make — even though it's the one that may not show up in a bill.

07/27/2026

"Wait — is this the dentist?"
Yes. Hi.
We're a small office, so when the phone rings, whoever's free picks it up. Sometimes that's me. If one of my team is out and we are short-handed, I may be the only one available. And after hours, when the answering service pages an urgent call through, it's usually me then too.
Parents are often surprised. I get a little pause on the line, and then: "Oh — I didn't expect to actually get you."
Here's the thing. If your child chipped a tooth on the coffee table at 8pm Saturday night, the person you want on the phone is someone who can tell you whether that's a tonight problem or a Monday problem. I can usually tell you in about five minutes. That's not me being heroic — it's just that I'm the one who knows, so I should be the one who answers.
I recently took a call on a beautiful Saturday for a child who had sucked on a numb lip causing swelling. This is a common pediatric dental issue that is easy for me to give advice on. But an Emergency Department, without knowing the history, may be concerned it is an infection or other serious problem. I want my patients to avoid a time consuming, stressful, and potentially costly ER visit for a dental issue I can address over the phone, like this one.
It also means I hear things I'd otherwise never hear. The worry underneath the question. The thing a parent almost didn't call about. That's genuinely useful to me.
So if you call and a familiar voice picks up: you dialed right.

07/21/2026

If your child is not covered by a dental benefit plan, we have an option for you! Check out our in-house discount plan! This plan is not insurance and is not intended to replace health insurance. Head to the portal for more information, or call our office at 253-220-7340 (text 253-780-1540)

07/17/2026

A parent asked me last week what the difference is between a dentist who sees kids and a pediatric dentist. It's a fair question, and one nobody really explains.

Every dentist — general, pediatric, or any other specialty — finishes dental school and is licensed by the state. Some general dentists then complete an additional year or two of residency training.

A pediatric dentist completes a 2–3 year residency after dental school, focused entirely on kids: infants through adolescents, children with special health care needs, treatment under sedation and general anesthesia, and dental emergencies like sports injuries and severe infections. Our residencies also include hospital rotations in anesthesiology, the emergency department, and hematology-oncology.

Board Certified means that a pediatric dentist has also passed both the written and oral exams from the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry — and then proves continuing education every year and retakes a written exam every decade. Whew.

Dr. Richman is Board Certified. Dr. Akabike is Board Eligible. Both of us trained at the University of Washington and Seattle Children's Hospital.

None of this means a general dentist can't take wonderful care of your child — many do, especially those with extra training or years of experience with kids. They also frequently refer children to us when a case calls for more advanced care, and we work closely with them. We appreciate our general dentist colleagues.
If you're weighing options for your child, ask any dentist you're considering where they trained, in what program, and whether they're board certified.

Including us.

Photo is Dr Richman providing dental care to kids in the Dominican Republic on a mission trip.

07/02/2026

Attention all artists!

We are kicking off our FIRST Dino Kid's Dentistry coloring contest. Our walls get bare in the summer when the great artwork from the schools gets taken down. So we need some more pictures to post!

Print it out (we have some extras if you swing by), color or paint, bring it by our office for a chance to win a $25 target gift card! We will announce the winner on July 31!

Comment in the post--what are good rewards for contests? What are good contests?

~Our awesome social media content creator ~Wendy~!!!

06/29/2026

Introducing....our new mascot.....Sir DINO DRAAAAAAKE!

03/03/2026

02/04/2026

Whoa! Dr Richman is gone next week on a Cavern Diving course and Dr Akabike is also out and the staff are gonna PARTY!!! (You mean...work on reports, ordering, stocking supplies, and keeping our office in great condition? -Dr R)!

We will be answering phones as usual so give us a call to schedule your child's appointment or with anything else you need and we will be back in full the following week!

01/01/2026

Also new for 2026: Dr Richman has finally found a bleach tray kit that she feels is appropriate for older kids and teens to use. Many bleach products on the market are messy or difficult to use and some cause sensitivity. We have been impressed with the Opalescence Go kits and they are now available for purchase at Dino Kid's Dentistry for patients (and even moms and dads!). Ask us for more details!

Whiten your smile with Opalescence Go 10% trays. The hydrogen peroxide formula delivers visible results while remaining safe for sensitive teeth and gums.