Expert Interview

At Preschool Readers, we know various factors affect a child’s learning process. To remain up-to-date and informed on best practices, we have an Expert Interview series. In this series, we interview experts who provide tips, tricks, and suggestions for parents of preschoolers. We hope you enjoy our interview with Dr. Radhika Kapoor Board Certified Pediatric Dentist, and Owner of Hoboken Smile Specialists and Smile Wellness.

Name & Job Title: Dr. Radhika Kapoor, Board Certified Pediatric Dentist, and Business Owner

Business Name: Hoboken Smile Specialists and Smile Wellness

What Services Do You Provide, and Whom Do You Serve: I am a pediatric laser specialist with a developmental psychology background. Our office provides routine Pediatric, General Dentistry, and orthodontics for the whole family.

What Can Parents Do To Encourage Oral Hygiene Habits At Home:

  • Create a positive environment consistent with your child’s age
  • Under age three, modeling is less likely to help, so allow your child to perform tasks independently on a stuffed animal or favorite toy while you are brushing simultaneously.
  • Incorporate a reinforcement calendar – incentives being favorite toys, activities, or food (but not candy)/.
  • Be flexible in where in the house you choose to have your child brush and make it part of their natural hygiene routine, not a chore.
  • Utilize the dentist – sometimes more frequent visits are needed to make your child comfortable to learn the skills to maintain proper oral health – similar to having an afterschool tutor.

What Foods Promote Strong Teeth In Children:

  • Healthy proteins
  • Whole foods
  • Greens vegetables
  • Vitamin D-rich foods
  • An anti-inflammatory diet (salmon, eggs, leafy greens)

How Do Poor Dental Health Habits Affect School Performance and The Learning Process:

  • Tooth decay treatment appointments and mouth pain are the main reason children repetitively miss school. 
  • Seeing a pediatric dentist as early as an infant can rule out airway/breathing issues associated with poor craniofacial growth and tongue and lip ties that affect learning and speech.
  • There is a lot of misinformation and lack of awareness regarding the importance of baby teeth and overall oral health as it relates to systemic health; parents often assume baby teeth with decay are generally ok as teeth fall out – and this, unfortunately, is not accurate.

What Books Do You Recommend Parents Read To Their Preschooler To Prepare Them For A Visit To The Dentist:

And Just For Fun, What Is One Word You Would Use To Describe Yourself As A Preschooler:  Inquisitive

How Can Parents Connect Or Work With You: Parents can schedule an appointment online and join our mailing list to learn of upcoming events, workshops, parent networking opportunities, and support groups.  

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