Why Choose a

Pediatric Dentist?

 

Pediatric Dentistry is the dental specialty recognized by the American Dental Association which encompasses comprehensive dental care for all children, from infancy through adolescence.  A pediatric dentist is a practitioner who, after becoming a general dentist (often called a family dentist), has completed an additional two years of  post-doctoral training in the recognition and treatment of children’s dental and orthodontic problems. Specialty education includes child psychology, behavior guidance, preventive techniques, restorative dentistry, growth & development of the child’s dentition, and the treatment of chronically ill children.

 

Dr. Metroka and his staff strive to make your child’s experience safe, comfortable, educational, and fun.

Our Pediatric Dental Team

 

From the moment you walk in our front door, our goal is for you to feel comfortable and informed.  We have a highly trained and friendly team with years of experience with pediatric dentistry. We look forward to seeing you soon.

 

We are constantly keeping up with the latest trends and techniques through continuing education courses.  Our priority is the comfort and safety of our patients. We never lose sight of this and hope you will feel it every time you visit us.

Your First Visit

 

When should my child first see a dentist, and why?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, along with the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommends children are seen by a pediatric dentist by their first birthday. This is an ideal time for the pediatric dentist to carefully examine the development of your child's mouth. Dental problems often start early and can be prevented in most cases; therefore, the earlier the visit the better.

 

How do I prepare my child and myself for the visit?

Before the visit, our office staff will be happy to discuss the procedures of the first appointment so there are not any surprises.  Our goal on the first visit  is to establish a warm connection with your child and to help relieve any fears you or your child may have.  We understand that your child may be anxious and our experienced staff will help your child every step of the way.  We encourage you to be a part of our dental health team, working with us to protect the health of your child.

What will happen on the first visit?

For young children, the first visit is an introduction to acquaint your child with Dr. Metroka and his staff. We have found that our calm, warm and fun environment is the key to a successful first visit.  At the child’s initial visit healthy dietary and oral hygiene habits are discussed.  At the same time, we will check for early childhood caries, also known as baby bottle decay.  We will also discuss issues such as fluoride and oral habits such as pacifiers and thumb sucking.  This is a great opportunity for you to ask Dr. Metroka any questions you may have. Short, successive visits are meant to build the child's trust in Dr. Metroka and his staff and can prove invaluable if your child needs to be treated later for any dental condition.

 

Appointments for young children may be scheduled earlier in the day, when your child is alert and fresh.  Parents are welcome to accompany their child during their first visit. We prefer that over time, the child’s confidence will build and they will be comfortable to go back by themselves. We understand that each child’s confidence builds at his / her own pace. There is no specific age when the child will decide to enter the operatory on their own. At the initial visit, children must be accompanied by their legal guardian.

 

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Meet  Dr. Metroka

Hours

 

Monday 1:30-6

Tuesday 9 to 6:30

Wednesday Closed

Thursday 9 to 6

Saturday 8 to noon

 

Emergencies

In case of a dental emergency please call our main office number at  for further instructions on how to either reach  Dr. Metroka or the pediatric dentist that is taking emergent calls if he is out of town.

 

For after-hours emergencies or questions, please call our office 215.674.3080 and follow our instructions.

Your Appointment

 

Our office attempts to schedule appointments at your convenience and when time is available. Preschool children should be seen in the morning because they are fresher and we can work more slowly with the child for their comfort. School children with a lot of work to be done should be seen in the morning for the same reason. Dental appointments are an excused absence. Missing school can be kept to a minimum when regular dental care is continued.

 

Please make every effort to keep scheduled appointments.  Once an appointment is scheduled, it is considered confirmed.  If an appointment needs to be rescheduled, a 24 hour notice is appreciated.

Dental  Insurance

 

Our office is committed to helping you maximize your insurance benefits.

 

We are happy that you have dental insurance for your child.  Since there are many insurance companies and they all cover at different rates, it is very confusing for the dental office and the parent to know what insurance will actually pay.  To keep things as simple as possible and less confusing, our office policy is to charge the same fee to all patients so it is as fair as possible.

 

We will accept payment from your insurance company, but insurance usually only pays a portion of the cost.  We will give you an estimate of your portion based on our experience working with your company.  This means that after your insurance has paid, you may be required to pay an additional payment or you may receive a refund.

Ways to Request a Visit!

 

Call us at

215.674.3080

 

Email us at

staff@HatboroPediatricDentistry.com

 

Stop by our office at

411 N. York Road

Hatboro, Pennsylvania 19040

[google directions]

Dr. David Metroka grew up in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania and attended Conwell-Egan High School, formerly Bishop Egan H.S.. Upon graduation, he enrolled in Temple University, where he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree. During his undergraduate years, Dr. Metroka worked as a research assistant in the microbiology lab in the School of Pharmacy. He then completed his Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree at Temple University’s School of Dentistry. While in dental school, Dr. Metroka won the Student Clinician’s Table Clinic contest, and represented Temple University School of Dentistry at the American Dental Association national conference. After his graduation from dental school, Dr. Metroka furthered his education by enrolling in the Pediatric Dentistry Program at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia, where he still teaches and trains residents today.

 

Dr. Metroka opened his pediatric dental office in Hatboro, Pennsylvania in 1979. From 1982 until 1987, he taught pediatric dentistry at Temple University Dental School. Since 1988, Dr. Metroka has been a member of the Cleft Palate/Cranio-facial Team at St. Christopher’s, in addition to his teaching responsibilities.

 

He is a member of the American Dental Association and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist. Other professional memberships include the Pennsylvania Dental Society and the Montgomery-Bucks Dental Society.

 

Dr. Metroka likes to spend time with his wife Nancy and their five grown children. His other interests include traveling, photography and walking their two very active dogs - a black lab and a chihuahua.

David Metroka, DDS

Board Certified

Pediatric Dentist