Photo by Michael Woodall James C. Johnson

James C. Johnson
Pediatric Dentistry
1355 S. Higley Rd., Gilbert
480-632-7500, kidstoothdr.com

What attracted you to pediatric dentistry?
I’ve always loved working with kids. So when I was in dental school and it got into the pediatric part of the program I just fell in love with it. It was where I was meant to me.

How does your office make children less fearful of the dentist?
The major thing is distraction. There are video games and TVs on the ceiling. There’s a movie theater when they walk in, and the check-in counter looks like a candy counter. The other main thing is talking to them the whole time. We’re constantly talking to them. It keeps their mind off of things. Keep things fun and they think, ‘Oh, what’s the big deal?’

What’s the most common problem you see in children’s teeth?
We have so many processed sugars in our diet now. The biggest thing we’re seeing lately is in the adolescents – the pre-teens and early teens – drinking energy drinks. That’s a new battle we’re facing. It used to be soda but now we’re getting a little bit of both. Energy drinks have more sugar in them, so we’re seeing lots of decay.

You have five children of your own. Are you their dentist?
Yes. I have a 13-year-old girl, twin 10-year-old boys, a girl who’s 6 and a boy who’s 4.

Have they had cavities yet?
Yep (laughs). They’re still kids, and we’re still parents.

Do you restrict anything they eat or drink? Any bans on Halloween candy?
No, and I wouldn’t tell any of my patients to do that either. Moderation in all things.

What’s the most difficult case you’ve ever encountered?
The hardest ones are the little infants when they come in with baby-bottle decay, when their teeth are worn to the gums and they’re only 15 months old. There are no options there and you’re stuck to have to take teeth out. Those are hard just emotionally.

Who’s harder to deal with –the children or the parents?
The parents (laughs). It just comes down to the concern for their children. It causes them to have more anxiety. I don’t think it’s over-protective. I don’t think we could protect our kids too much.

— Interviewed by Ashlea Deahl