Pediatric Dentist Huntsville | Dr. Whitney Shelton DDS

Look no further for an expert pediatric dentistry team with

a fun, easy atmosphere.

We grow with your child.

Our entire team makes it our mission to make sure your child is comfortable and safe.

Bright and beautiful smiles

are what we do best.

We build the foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

It is a priviledge to be a

part of your family.

Meet Dr. Whitney Shelton

“I’m looking forward to an out-of-this world visit with you and your children!”

Dr. Whitney Shelton has a passion for Pediatric Dentistry. With his “kid-centered” approach, he gets children interested in their dental care. You will find that his friendly personality and fun teaching style help children to develop healthy habits that will last

a lifetime.

Dr. Whitney Shelton grew up in East Tennessee. After earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from East Tennessee State University, he attended the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center School of Dentistry in Memphis. He became interested in the unique challenges involved in Pediatric Dentistry during his first year of clinical training. He completed his training in Birmingham in the University of Alabama Pediatric Dentistry Program. While serving as a resident he worked with patients at the dental school, The Sparks Center for Developmental Learning Disorders, and The Children’s Hospital

of Alabama.

The comprehensive residency program prepared Dr. Shelton to offer pediatric patients different treatment options to meet their individual needs. Oral sedation dentistry is one of the options, among other behavior management techniques, that help children with situational anxiety. Some patients need comprehensive dental care during outpatient surgery at the Women’s and Children’s Unit of Huntsville Hospital. His specialty training included working with pediatricians, pediatric nurses, pediatric anesthesiologists, emergency medicine staff, as well as neurology, oncology and hematology specialists.

This experience has provided Dr. Shelton with a unique background to offer dental care to children in many different situations.

Dr. Shelton had the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream when he started private practice in Huntsville, AL. He has been on staff at Huntsville Hospital since he opened his practice. He became the first Board Certified Pediatric Dentist in North Alabama. He is a member of the Huntsville/Madison County Dental Society, the 8th District Dental Society, the Alabama Dental Association, the American Dental Association, and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. He enjoys working with children of all ages from infants to young adults in college. He considers it an honor to be allowed to serve children and provide a positive impact in their lives.

Our Huntsville Pediatric Dental Office

Welcome to Rocket City Kids Pediatric Dentistry! We are delighted to welcome you to our practice and are pleased that you chose us to serve your children’s dental needs. We specialize in the complete dental care of infants, children, teens

and young adults. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Please call us at 256.882.2466 with any questions or to schedule an appointment for your child.

When you visit our office near Airport Road in Huntsville, Alabama, your child’s smile is our top priority. From the moment you walk in our front door, our goal is for you to feel comfortable and informed. Dr. Shelton forms relationships with the patients and their parents. He enjoys seeing his patients from their first tooth to their first day of college. At Rocket City Kids Pediatric Dentistry, we believe that introducing your child to dentistry with a caring and “child-friendly” approach can have a positive impact on their dental health for a lifetime.

We are available

Monday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Tuesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Wednesday: 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Thursday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Administrative/Hospital Patients)

Inclement Weather Policy

In the event that poor weather conditions arise, we will follow the Huntsville City Schools schedule. If Huntsville City Schools are closed, we will be closed. Please check the local news for the Huntsville City Schools closing schedule and our answering machine for our closing schedule. Please call at your convenience to reschedule your child's appointment.

Thank you for your patience!

Policies

What about finances?

Payment for professional services is due at the time dental treatment is provided. We accept cash, personal checks, Visa, MasterCard and Discover.

Our Office Policy Regarding Dental Insurance

If we have received all of your insurance information on the day of the appointment, we will be happy to file your claim for you. You must be familiar with your insurance benefits, as we will collect from you the estimated amount insurance is not expected to pay. We file all insurance electronically, so your insurance company will receive each claim within days of the treatment. You are responsible for any balance on your account after 45 days, whether insurance has paid or not. If you have not paid your balance within 45 days, a re-billing fee of 1.5% (minimun of $5.00) will be added to your account each month until paid.

PLEASE UNDERSTAND that we file dental insurance as a courtesy to our patients. We do not have a contract with your insurance company, only you do. We can only assist you in estimating your portion of the cost of treatment. We at no time guarantee what your insurance will or will not do with each claim. Once again, we file claims as a courtesy to you.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, please keep us informed of any insurance changes such as policy name, insurance company address, or a change of employment.

First Pediatric Dental Visit

Easing Your Child’s Fears

We know that any new experience can be frightening for some children.

The first dental visit can be a positive experience for your child. Before the appointment, you should be careful to speak in positive terms about your dental experiences to encourage a positive attitude in your child. We hope to avoid and conquer most dental fears. Sometimes it is normal for your child to be anxious at the appointment. If this happens, please do not be disappointed in your child, yourself, or us – we will simply respond with care and praise.

What to Expect at the First Visit

At your child’s first visit, we will review your child’s medical history. Please review and complete our new patient forms. We will examine your child’s teeth during the cleaning appointment and determine if x-rays are needed. If any further treatment is necessary such as fillings or sealants, this will occur at a follow-up visit.

The Parent’s Role

After your child’s cleaning, Dr. Shelton will meet with you chair side. This will allow you to discuss any specific dental questions or topics. When dental treatment is required, we request that you allow your child to enter the treatment area by themselves. This allows your child to establish an uninterrupted relationship with Dr. Shelton and his staff. This improved communication will make the appointment much better for your child. If you prefer, we can arrange for you to peek in on your child during treatment.

Pediatric Dentistry

Dr. Shelton is a Pediatric Dental Specialist.

Selecting a dentist for your child is an important decision.

After four years of dental school, Dr. Shelton completed two years of additional training. Working with children for many years gives

Dr. Shelton and his staff a unique perspective. This helps see dentistry from your child’s point of view. That is the key to helping your child feel as comfortable as possible at our office.

More years of training...

Pediatric dentists learn about dental problems specific to children and adolescents. Their expertise in this area means that patients can be assured they are receiving the best information from a specialist. Since pediatric dentists focus on caring for children’s teeth, they keep themselves informed of the most recent advances in dental procedures for kids.

Trained to understand children...

As important as the technical training they receive, pediatric dentists spend much of their time learning that children have to be treated differently from adults. They realize that some kids may not look forward to their trips to the dentist (apart from the getting out of school aspect!), and they work to make them feel comfortable.

Pediatric dentists also study child psychology so they can understand children’s needs from a different perspective. From the atmosphere of the office to the caring, professional staff, the entire practice is built around children. They realize that children are generally optimistic and have a positive attitude in most circumstances. Dr. Shelton and his staff focus on their positive attitude to help your child have the best experience possible at our office.

Learn more about pediatric dental topics:

treatment

faq's

emergencies

From Infants to Teenagers...

As children grow from infants to adolescents, their dental needs change with them. Dr. Shelton recommends that you bring your child at any age if you have a concern or see a spot, etc. Routine cleaning and exam visits should start by age 2.

With the onset of the teenage years and the importance of self-image coming to the forefront of teenagers’ concerns, pediatric dentists use various procedures to correct dental problems. In some cases early treatment can avoid more involved orthodontics later. Misaligned or decaying teeth can be corrected early on to help prevent later dental problems as well as improve your child’s smile.