About
Nestled within the prestigious Carnegie Hill neighborhood on Manhattan's Upper East Side, Park Smiles NYC Pediatrics stands as a beacon of excellence and compassionate care in children's dental health. Located at 1175 Park Ave #1B, this premier pediatric dental practice has carved out a distinguished reputation for providing world-class, comprehensive dental care in an environment specifically designed to alleviate anxiety and foster positive lifelong oral hygiene habits. The practice is built on the foundational belief that a child's early dental experiences shape their attitude toward oral health for years to come, and thus, every interaction is meticulously crafted to be educational, supportive, and gentle.
The history of Park Smiles NYC Pediatrics is intertwined with the vision of its lead practitioners, who sought to create a dental home that diverged from the clinical, often intimidating atmosphere of traditional dental offices. Recognizing a gap in specialized pediatric care that balanced advanced clinical expertise with profound emotional intelligence, they established a practice where cutting-edge dentistry meets unwavering kindness. The mission is unequivocal: to deliver the highest standard of preventive and therapeutic dental care to infants, children, adolescents, and patients with special healthcare needs, all while educating families and creating a fun, welcoming space where children feel safe and valued.
What truly sets Park Smiles NYC Pediatrics apart is its holistic, child-centric approach. The practice's expertise extends far beyond routine cleanings and fillings. The team, led by board-certified or board-eligible pediatric dentists, possesses deep specialized training in child psychology, growth and development, and the management of dental anxieties. This allows them to tailor treatment and communication to each child's individual developmental stage and temperament. The office itself is a testament to this philosophy, featuring a thoughtfully designed environment with child-friendly decor, a welcoming reception area, and treatment rooms equipped with the latest technology, including digital X-rays for reduced radiation exposure and intraoral cameras for engaging patient education.
The unique value proposition of Park Smiles lies in its seamless fusion of exceptional clinical care, preventative education, and a relentless focus on the patient experience. They practice what is known as 'caries risk assessment,' a proactive approach that identifies a child's specific risk factors for tooth decay and creates a personalized prevention plan, moving beyond a one-size-fits-all model. Furthermore, their expertise in treating patients with special needs ensures inclusive care for all children. The practice often distinguishes itself through its emphasis on parent involvement and education, empowering caregivers as partners in their child's oral health journey through detailed consultations and accessible guidance.
Ultimately, Park Smiles NYC Pediatrics is more than just a dental office; it is a trusted partner for families in New York City. By combining unparalleled pediatric dental specialization with a warm, joyful, and judgment-free atmosphere, they succeed in transforming dental visits from a source of fear into a positive and empowering experience. Their commitment to building long-term relationships based on trust, transparency, and clinical excellence positions them as a leading choice for discerning parents who seek nothing but the best for their child's health and well-being. In a city renowned for its medical institutions, Park Smiles stands out for its dedicated niche, its compassionate delivery, and its unwavering dedication to setting the foundation for healthy, beautiful smiles that last a lifetime.
Additional Details
Specialization:
Comprehensive pediatric (children's) dentistry, including preventive care, restorative treatment, and care for patients with special healthcare needs.
Education & Certifications:
Practitioners are typically board-certified or board-eligible pediatric dentists, having completed a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree followed by a 2-3 year accredited residency program in Pediatric Dentistry. Specific individual certifications are not publicly listed.
Professional Memberships:
Likely includes the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), the American Dental Association (ADA), and the New York State Dental Association (NYSDA). Exact memberships for the practice are not explicitly detailed on public profiles.
Awards & Recognitions:
The practice and its dentists are frequently featured in "Top Dentist" lists in publications such as New York Magazine and Castle Connolly. They are consistently recognized as a leading pediatric dental practice on the Upper East Side by local parenting resources and review platforms.
Pricing & Insurance:
Pricing is commensurate with a high-specialty practice in New York City. The practice accepts most major PPO dental insurance plans and will assist with claims and paperwork. They also offer flexible payment options and financing plans for out-of-pocket expenses. Specific fee schedules are not published publicly.
Customer Reviews
what an amazing pediatric dental office. My sons both love going and they are handfuls my 3.5 year old act cannot wait to come. The docs are so nice and caring and great staff! Highly recommend.
Park Smiles NYC Pediatrics is an amazing clinic. The appointment started right on time with no waiting, and the facility was very clean. The staff were incredibly kind and patient, making the whole experience less frightening and even fun for my baby. I am highly impressed and grateful to have such a great clinic in the neighborhood.
I want to be clear that this is not a reflection on the care providers here which we had nothing be great experiences with, but rather how the office/practice is managed. We had a frustrating experience including a mix-up in scheduling with my daughter which we provided an honest feedback on based on their automated feedback request. We then received a call day of our next appointment, informing us that they are cancelling our daughter's appointment unless we would pull down our review--essentially holding us hostage. I am literally dumbfounded at the request and nerve! Holding an appointment hostage??? This is completely unprofessional! I would avoid this practice at all costs.
I would give zero stars if I could. Parents, please be very cautious with this office.
Dr. Choi recommended a space maintainer for my 7-year-old daughter, with no upfront communication about costs. I assumed it was preventive/orthodontic and covered by insurance. On the day of the mold, the front desk suddenly asked for a $600 deposit, telling me that should be it. A few months later, they came after me for another $900.
After going back and forth, they eventually collected $550 from insurance, plus the $600 deposit I had already paid — totaling $1,150 for a simple space maintainer that usually costs around $300. Now, during my recent annual check-up, they told me I still owed them another $350. When I questioned this, they refused to see me.
This feels like nothing short of a rip-off and completely dishonest practice. Parents deserve transparency and fair billing, not surprise charges months later.
I usually do not leave reviews but I really think is needed for awareness so other people stay away from this dental practice. My 5 year old daughter had big cavities in 2 of her teeth and they recommended extraction. We agreed as they said these upper teeth may cause further infections. On July 29th we went for the procedure and dentist Dr.Jessica Kaplan was successful on placing the space maintainers for the teeth behind the ones that were to be extracted, then she started the extraction of one tooth but (even though under local anesthesia) my daughter was experiencing terrible pain. She injected more anesthesia and continued her attempts to remove the tooth while my daughter was screaming her lungs out and I was holding her hands to try help her stay still. She was explaining me that my daughter is not feeling pain but she is screaming just from the pressure she is applying to remove the teeth.Ultimately she said, let’s try another day (maybe under general anesthesia) as it was impossible to carry on. At that moment I just wanted to take my daughter home so she can calm down and get some rest from all of that. After few days, they called me to schedule a FREE consultation appointment with another dentist Dr. Aryeh Mahana to see how to move forward with the leftover tooth extraction. On August 20th, the day of consultation they ask me to pay $300 for the NITROUS Dr. Kaplan used on her attempt to extract the tooth even though the tooth was not extracted. I ended up paying for that. They gave us option for general anesthesia with $3400.00 ($1700.00/hr, imagine they need 2 hours to extract 2 teeth ot a 5 year old) to pay out of pocket just for anesthesiologist they would have to bring from somewhere else. I told them to give us some time to decide and went home. After few days, I received an email from METLIFE, about a claim of $420.00 for the consultation that we have been told is free. These people just want to rip you off while providing terrible service.
