New pediatric dentistry practice opens in Palmer

Steven Merritt

PALMER — A new pediatric dentistry practice in Palmer is hoping to build relationships with patients and parents in what can sometimes be an anxious environment for both.

Dr. Brian Kelleher opened Dr. K’s Pediatric Dentistry in early March in the new Evergreen building at the corner of Evergreen and South Bailey streets.

Kelleher, who left a practice in California to move to Alaska, has lived in Palmer for a year while working on opening Dr. K’s. He’s worked part-time at a clinic in Eagle River as well as made work-related trips to Seattle in that span.

He said Friday the Palmer community has been extremely welcoming.

“It is an amazing place with some amazing, friendly people,” he said. “When I have had to go to Seattle and deal with all that crowding and traffic, it has been great to come back to my new home.”

Kelleher said he had been coming to Alaska for years through Public Health Service clinics, a job that sent him to points across the state.

“I have made some great friendships in Alaska,” he said.

Kelleher said Dr. K’s is a full-spectrum practice that serves kids from six months to 19 years as well as special needs patients.

“There is a big need (for pediatric dentistry) here,” Kelleher said of the Palmer area. “There are a lot of kids without access to care.”

While pediatric dentistry has come a long way with technology and other treatment innovations, Kelleher said the profession as a whole hasn’t done the best job in fostering a fear-free atmosphere for kids.

“Dentists have done some damage (over the years) in creating fearful adults,” Kelleher said. “We don’t want to traumatize children or their parents.”

The 1,400-square-foot dental office caters to kids of all ages from the front door on, with hands-on games, video stations and a bright color palette. Kelleher has traveled the extensively, and large photos of lions, elephants and other animals he has photographed on safaris adorn the walls.

“We want to make everything safe, comfortable and fun,” he said. “We want it to be inviting.”

Kelleher said no oral sedation is ever used.

“In my opinion it isn’t safe,” he said. “We use nitrous oxide. It’s effective, safe and kids do well with it.”

Kelleher added that kids are not “papoosed” or otherwise restrained.

“I can’t remember the last time I had to ‘papoose’ a patient,” he said. “That’s not a good environment for the child or the parent.”

He said along with new technology for X-rays and other treatments, the use of glass ionomer cement for fillings stands out.

“The fillings contain fluoride and are recharged when brushed with fluoride toothpaste,” Kelleher said.

Kelleher said many of the issues he sees with patents are related to oral hygiene and diet, but added that Alaska kids — and parents — are different.

“These kids are well-behaved — you know that they are loved,” Kelleher said. “And the parents know their business. I respect that — they’re informed.”

Kelleher shares the office with business manager Steven Blades and dental assistant Lynsey Hindmarch. Blades, also a California transplant, said Palmer is definitely a picture of small-town America.

“I love it here,” he said. “You can’t go to the store without running into someone you know.”

The second-story suite offers sweeping views of the Chugach Range. All that southern exposure has already led to some interior modifications, Kelleher said Friday.

“We have already had to tint the windows,” Kelleher said. “It is a beautiful, beautiful view, but the sun was just blasting us.”

Contact reporter Steven Merritt at 352-2269 or steven.merritt@frontiersman.com