About
Nestled within the esteemed Upper East Side neighborhood at 949 Park Avenue, 949 Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics stands as a beacon of specialized oral healthcare for infants, children, adolescents, and patients with special healthcare needs. More than just a dental practice, it is a dedicated pediatric health center built upon a foundational philosophy that early positive experiences shape lifelong attitudes toward dental wellness. The practice was established with a clear vision: to create a dental home that is as welcoming, engaging, and comforting as it is clinically excellent, effectively erasing the anxiety often associated with dental visits for young patients. The history of the practice is rooted in the recognized need for a highly specialized, family-centric approach in the New York City area, leading to the assembly of a dual-specialty team where board-certified pediatric dentists and orthodontists work seamlessly under one roof.
The mission of 949 Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics is multifaceted. It aims to provide the highest standard of evidence-based, comprehensive dental and orthodontic care in an environment tailored exclusively for children. This mission extends beyond treatment to encompass profound patient and parent education, preventive strategies, and the establishment of trust that begins at a child's first tooth eruption. The practice operates on the core belief that prevention is paramount, and that education empowers families to make informed decisions about their children's oral health. Their expertise is not merely technical but deeply psychological, with the entire team trained in behavior management techniques, including tell-show-do, positive reinforcement, and sedation options when necessary, to ensure every child feels safe and respected.
What truly sets 949 Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics apart is its holistic, integrated care model and its meticulously designed environment. The office is a world away from a sterile clinical setting; it is a vibrant, child-friendly space often described as a 'dental playground.' From themed operatories to interactive games and a celebratory prize gallery, every detail is engineered to distract, engage, and delight. This unique value proposition is amplified by the convenience of combined services. A child receiving routine pediatric dental care can have their orthodontic development monitored by an in-house specialist from an early age, allowing for timely intervention with treatments like palatal expanders or early Phase I orthodontics to guide jaw growth, often simplifying or eliminating the need for more extensive treatment later. This collaborative approach between pediatric dentists and orthodontists ensures a continuum of care that is exceptionally rare.
The practice's distinction is further solidified by its commitment to cutting-edge technology, including low-radiation digital X-rays, intraoral cameras for child-friendly education, and advanced orthodontic imaging systems. Their team engages in continuous education to stay at the forefront of pediatric and orthodontic advancements. Furthermore, they distinguish themselves through their compassionate approach to caring for children with dental anxiety, special healthcare needs, or complex medical histories, offering treatment options ranging from nitrous oxide to general anesthesia in accredited surgical settings to ensure safe, stress-free care for all. In a city with countless dental options, 949 Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics carves out a unique niche as the definitive, anxiety-free dental home where clinical excellence, child-centric compassion, and comprehensive specialty care converge to nurture healthy, beautiful smiles from the very start.
Additional Details
Specialization:
Dual-specialty practice focusing on Pediatric Dentistry (oral health for infants, children, teens, special needs) and Orthodontics (braces, aligners, early interceptive treatment).
Education & Certifications:
The dentists are typically Board-Certified or Board-Eligible Pediatric Dentists (Diplomates of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry) and Orthodontists who have completed 2-3 years of additional accredited specialty residency training beyond dental school. Specific doctor credentials should be verified on the practice website.
Professional Memberships:
Likely includes the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), American Dental Association (ADA), New York State Dental Association (NYSDA), and local dental societies.
Pricing & Insurance:
The practice is likely a fee-for-service office that accepts and files claims for most major dental PPO insurance plans. They typically provide detailed treatment plans with cost estimates. Specific plans accepted (e.g., Delta Dental, Cigna, MetLife, Aetna, Guardian) and pricing should be confirmed by contacting the office directly.
Customer Reviews
Dr. Julie Wee is the most caring, honest pediatric dentist who takes her time to examine her patients cautiously. Her dental assistants are absolutely helpful making young children feel comfortable and making them laugh and we always leave the office with a smile! Dr. Julie Wee is rated ten stars!!! Including the office staff too!!
Today was the first visit for an orthodontist consultation for my nine year old daughter with Dr. Helen Weinberg and my daughter felt at ease within minutes. The office is very modern and her staff is friendly. Dr. Helen Weinberg took the time to explain exactly what the issues and recommendations are and why she recommends her process over others. I felt confident with her explanations.
My daughter is looking forward to going back in a few months to begin phase 1 for images and records. Thanks for making today a great experience!
Dr.wee made my son (age 5) feel totally comfortable and at ease and talked him through everything she was going to do throughout his teeth cleaning visit. And my older child also enjoyed her gentle touch as well. The office was clean and delightful as well. 5 stars.
My wife and I were excited to bring my daughter in for her first dentist visit after she turned 1. The had to reschedule our initial appointment because of an emergency but they were able to accommodate us the following week for a makeup. When we got there, they we were told to sit down and it will be a few minutes. After 30+ minutes and realizing they double booked us, we were told there was an emergency that they needed to handle first. After an hour waiting and a fussy 1yr old, we left since it didn’t seem they cared or would be done anytime soon. They did not let us know ahead of time they were running late and only after we asked for an update did they tell us they had an emergency. We left very frustrated by the experience. We set up another visit a year later for my daughter first visit again and the day of was told they had to cancel us. I would not recommend this place to anyone as they have been nothing but unprofessional and unable to even see the dentist 3 times now! A complete waste of time
It’s been a while since our last visit but I just realized I never gave my full honest review.
When I first started taking my kids here it went great. We were first seen by Dr. Lee. She was wonderful so I thought this is going to be a great experience and decided to get my kids braces here.
Boy I was WRONG this place was terrible absolutely terrible they switched “owners” SEVERAL times during treatment so we had different Doctors see us all the time. They also stopped taking our insurance and there is not enough time in the world for me to say how AWFUL TERRIBLE the billing was it was just nightmare after nightmare not to mention the last Dr we saw ( I don’t remember her name) was so rude.
She seemed very unfriendly and made my kid feeel very uncomfortable. I will never recommend this place nor will I ever go back.
All in all it seemed as if they only wanted patience from the area ( their people) if you know you know.
