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  4. /Smile Stars Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics - Baton Rouge
Board CertifiedAAO MemberAccepting new patients

Smile Stars Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics - Baton Rouge

Smile Stars Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics provides comprehensive dental and orthodontic care for children, teens, and adults at two locations in Louisiana (Baton Rouge and Prairieville).

10522 S Glenstone Pl, Baton Rouge, LA 70810
4.0(208 reviews)
Call Now(225) 769-5377Book OnlineWebsiteDirections

About Smile Stars Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics - Baton Rouge

Dr. Ripple and Dr. Matt draw families with special needs children and kids mid-transfer from other offices, though scheduling and handling during procedures draw repeated complaints.

This pediatric dental practice also offers braces, early treatment, and TMJ care, and reviews often mention families with special needs children or kids transferring from other practices mid-treatment. Dr. Ripple is described as building rapport with young patients, while Dr. Matt is noted for personally calling to check on patients after appointments. Some reviews describe long wait times and scheduling frustrations, and a notable number describe children being restrained or handled roughly during sedation or procedures.

Summary of 153 patient reviews, April 2014–September 2026, updated September 2026

Smile Stars Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics provides comprehensive dental and orthodontic care for children, teens, and adults at two locations in Louisiana (Baton Rouge and Prairieville).

The practice features on-site orthodontics led by Dr. Matthew Leftwich, pediatric dentistry by Dr. Steven Ripple, and specialized services including sedation dentistry with a registered nurse coordinator.

Treatments offered

Early TreatmentEarly TreatmentTraditional BracesTraditional BracesTMJ TreatmentTMJ Treatment
GuidesAdult braces cost guide →Teen braces cost guide →Braces cost for kids →

Who They Treat

Smile Stars Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics - Baton Rouge provides orthodontic treatment for the following age groups:

Children
Ages 6–11
Teens
Ages 12–17
Adults
Ages 18+

Orthodontists at this office

provider
headshot

Dr. Steven E. Ripple, DDS

NPI verified · no bio or photo on file

Lead OrthodontistNPI VERIFIEDAccepting New Patients
provider
headshot

Dr. Kaede Collette, DDS

NPI verified · no bio or photo on file

NPI VERIFIEDAccepting New Patients
provider
headshot

Dr. Matthew Leftwich, DDS

NPI verified · no bio or photo on file

NPI VERIFIEDAccepting New Patients
provider
headshot

Dr. John Sisney, MD

NPI verified · no bio or photo on file

NPI VERIFIEDAccepting New Patients

Insurance accepted

12 plans listed
AlwayscareAmeritasBlue Cross Blue ShieldDelta DentalDelta Dental PPOGuardianHumanaMetLife
In-network with listed plans only. Office accepts all insurances except discount plans. Will bill insurance and allows 45 days for payment; patient responsible for balance after 60 days.

What patients say

Latest review 7 weeks ago

What patients praise

  • Reviews often describe the practice accommodating children with autism, ADHD, and other special needs.
  • Dr. Matt is noted for calling patients personally to follow up after treatment.
  • Families mention driving long distances, including 60-plus miles, to use this practice's two locations.

Things to know

  • A number of reviews describe long wait times, overbooking, or being turned away due to scheduling policies.
  • Some reviews describe children being physically restrained or handled roughly during procedures or sedation.

Who it suits

  • Families with children who have special needs
  • Patients transferring mid-treatment from another practice
  • Teens needing braces

Doctors patients mention

  • Dr. Steven E. Ripple · 60 reviews
  • Dr. Matthew Leftwich · 1 review
  • Dr. Matt · 32 reviews

Orthodontic care in reviews

Reviews describe braces treatment as producing lasting improvement, with broken brackets fixed quickly and follow-up calls from the doctor; a few reviews mention alignment or timing concerns, including one child started on braces before baby teeth had fallen out.

Last 90 days
9 reviews
averaging 4.4★
Last 12 months
30 reviews
averaging 4.1★
Owner replies
8% of reviews
typically within 24 days
Reviews per month
6
Oct 2023Sep 2026
Reviews per month
Oct 20235
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Jan 20243
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Oct 20255
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Jan 20261
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Jun 20261
Jul 20266
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Sep 20262
Star ratings
  • 5★158
  • 4★9
  • 3★4
  • 2★3
  • 1★47
Average rating by year
  • 20145.0
  • 20164.5
  • 20173.4
  • 20184.5
  • 20193.8
  • 20203.8
  • 20214.1
  • 20224.6
  • 20233.7
  • 20244.7
  • 20253.7
  • 20264.0
1★5★
Treatments patients mention
  • Braces16
  • Early (phase 1) treatment5
What patients talk about
PraiseCriticism
  • The dentist33 / 18
  • Great with kids33 / 11
  • Friendly staff30 / 9
  • Gentle, comfortable care19 / 10
  • Scheduling & wait times3 / 16
  • Treatment results9 / 3
  • Office & technology7 / 5
  • Responsiveness4 / 9
What patients talk about
ThemePraiseCriticism
The dentist3318
Great with kids3311
Friendly staff309
Gentle, comfortable care1910
Scheduling & wait times316
Treatment results93
Office & technology75
Responsiveness49

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Recent reviews from Google

4.0
208 reviews
Brenda Gallegos
Brenda Gallegos
2 months ago
“

We really like our visits there, the dentists are always very sweet and patient with my kids. But the lady who answers the phone could totally have a better attitude and not be really rude. So, everything it's good, just the lady at the phone a very very bad impression, super rude and not empathetic at all.

Review from Google

Alisha M Butler
Alisha M Butler
2 months ago
“

Dr Steve and his staff have served our family for 2 generations and are always amazing! They are timely and meticulous and treat every patient like their family.

Review from Google

Julian Lindsey
Julian Lindsey
3 months ago
“

I’ve seen a lot of stories from others about smile stars, until I myself as well as, at the time my 7 year old brother experienced something horrific. I’m a grown adult now, but I’ll never forget what he did to my little brother. My little brother had an appointment to get his front teeth removed and at the time i was young and didn’t necessarily understand what for, however now that i’m older i’ve come to the understanding. I watched Dr. Ripple as well as several other of the dentist employees holding my brother down as he screamed through the room in shear pain and terror. Dr Ripple had a pair of pliers in his hand gripped on my brothers teeth pulling away. I approached them doing this in broad daylight in front of the MANY children in the room and they yelled at me to get away. I was young and scared and didn’t know what to do or say so I ended up going back to playing with the variety of toys and waited until we were all finished. My little brother and I ended up telling my mother, but my mother didn’t necessary believe us. A couple years later i had an appointment of my own for caps in my molars. Dr Ripple is accompanied by another dentist employee. My mouth was held open by this very thick steel tool that was already cranked open, opened enough that my jaw already hurt. Later in the procedure I’m still laying on my back with my mouth wide open (Held by the tool) and im collecting saliva at the back of my throat, I swallowed and then the dentist employee goes on to tell me to stop swallowing. I try, but again im fairly young and couldn’t quite control it without feeling like i was gonna drown in my own saliva. When Dr Ripple returned from what he left to do they continued with the procedure and i kept swallowing because my throat kept filling with fluid. They began threatening me to open the tool further and stretch my jaw more than it already was if i kept swallowing. Me not knowing any better kept swallowing and they did exactly that. Opened it enough to nearly pop my jaw. When it was all over i got in the car and told my mother and that was the last time my family ever went to smile stars. I hope that anybody who was scarred by this man get the justice they deserve. SHUT DOWN SMILE STARS!!

Review from Google

Jennel Rogers
Jennel Rogers
3 months ago
“

Best place ever my son has been going there since he was a toddler and he’s 18 now they are so loving and really great with their special needs kids

Review from Google

John Q
John Q
6 months ago
“

We had an appointment for 8am. We got there at 7:48am. At 8:25am, I asked the receptionist if they were running behind. She said that they had one ONE GIRL bringing patients to the back which didn't make a bit of sense to me. If she's just BRINGING PATIENTS TO THE BACK, what kind of energy does that require? After that she said that my son was going to be going back next. He was escorted back at 8:28am. I told my son to let me know when they put him in the chair. He texted me at 8:45am to let me know that he was in the chair, but waiting!! This is RIDICULOUS!! If I didn't ask, they would have probably had us still waiting. If we were LATE, they probably would have pushed him so far down the appointment list that it would have ruined the day even more. It's a SCHOOL DAY and a WORK DAY!!! They don't give a dang!! I'm NOT IMPRESSED with today's visit at all!! We got out at 9:24am!!

Review from Google

Read all 208 reviews on Google →

Questions about this practice

What orthodontic treatments does Smile Stars Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics - Baton Rouge offer?+
Smile Stars Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics - Baton Rouge offers: Early Treatment, Traditional Braces, TMJ Treatment.
Does Smile Stars Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics - Baton Rouge accept dental insurance?+
Smile Stars Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics - Baton Rouge accepts Alwayscare, Ameritas, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Delta Dental, Delta Dental PPO, and others.
Is Smile Stars Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics - Baton Rouge accepting new patients?+
Smile Stars Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics - Baton Rouge is currently welcoming new patients in Baton Rouge, LA. Call (225) 769-5377 or book online to schedule.
Where is Smile Stars Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics - Baton Rouge located?+
Smile Stars Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics - Baton Rouge is located at 10522 S Glenstone Pl. Get directions: https://maps.google.com/?cid=8369042911869707187&g_mp=CiVnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLkdldFBsYWNlEAIYBCAA
What are the office hours for Smile Stars Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics - Baton Rouge?+
Smile Stars Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics - Baton Rouge office hours: Mon 7:00 AM–5:00 PM, Tue 7:00 AM–5:00 PM, Wed 7:00 AM–5:00 PM, Thu 7:00 AM–5:00 PM, Fri 7:00 AM–5:00 PM, Sat Closed–Closed, Sun Closed–Closed.
Does Smile Stars Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics - Baton Rouge offer payment plans?+
Yes, Smile Stars Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics - Baton Rouge offers flexible payment plans to make orthodontic treatment affordable.
Who are the orthodontists at Smile Stars Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics - Baton Rouge?+
Smile Stars Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics - Baton Rouge is staffed by Dr. Steven E. Ripple, Dr. Kaede Collette, Dr. Matthew Leftwich, Dr. John Sisney. The practice is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) and board-certified.
What is the patient rating for Smile Stars Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics - Baton Rouge?+
Smile Stars Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics - Baton Rouge has a 4-star rating based on 208 patient reviews on Google.
How long has Smile Stars Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics - Baton Rouge been in practice?+
Smile Stars Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics - Baton Rouge has been providing orthodontic care since 1988, serving the Baton Rouge, LA community for over 38 years.

Research with AI

ChatGPTPerplexityClaude
10522 S Glenstone Pl
Baton Rouge, LA 70810
Get Directions
(225) 769-5377
smilestars.com/
Book Online
ssbatonrouge@smilestars.com
Open in Google Maps
Accepting new patients
Est. 1988
Payment Plans Available
Online Booking Available
Emergency Hours Available

Accessibility & Parking

Wheelchair Accessible Entrance
Wheelchair Accessible Parking
Wheelchair Accessible Restroom
CashCredit CardsDebit CardsContactless / NFCCareCredit
Mon7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tue7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wed7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thu7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Fri7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
SatClosed
SunClosed

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