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  2. /North Carolina
  3. /Durham Orthodontists
  4. /Smile First Pediatric Dental
Board CertifiedAccepting new patients

Smile First Pediatric Dental

Smile First Pediatric Dental is a board-certified orthodontic practice in Durham, NC.

3616 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd, Durham, NC 27707
4.9(1,188 reviews)
Call Now(919) 493-2569Book OnlineWebsiteDirections

About Smile First Pediatric Dental

Special accommodations for autistic and special-needs children, alongside gentle handling of toddlers and infants, make this a notable choice for families with young or anxious kids.

Smile First Pediatric Dental is a pediatric dental practice that also offers orthodontic treatment, including Invisalign, traditional braces, clear aligners, and early treatment. Reviews highlight the office's approach with very young children and kids with special needs, noting accommodations like extra time to build trust and staff who show equipment beforehand to ease fear. Parents also mention TVs, themed rooms, and rewards used to keep children calm during procedures, and several describe the front desk and hygienists as warm with children of all ages. A few reviews raise concerns about how certain treatment recommendations and billing issues were handled.

Summary of 200 patient reviews, July 2025–September 2026, updated September 2026

Treatments offered

InvisalignInvisalignClear AlignersClear AlignersTraditional BracesTraditional BracesEarly TreatmentEarly Treatment
GuidesHow much does Invisalign cost? →Clear aligner costs explained →Adult braces cost guide →

Who They Treat

Smile First Pediatric Dental provides orthodontic treatment for the following age groups:

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

Technology & Equipment

Smile First Pediatric Dental uses modern orthodontic technology to deliver precise, comfortable treatment.

Digital Records

Insurance accepted

3 plans listed
AetnaCareingtonHumana
Smile First Pediatric Dental does not list Medicaid. Coverage varies by plan tier — confirm with the office before your first visit.

What patients say

Latest review 3 weeks ago

What patients praise

  • The practice is described as accommodating for autistic children and other kids with special needs, including extra time to build trust before procedures.
  • Staff use distraction techniques like ceiling-mounted TVs, themed rooms, and stuffed-animal explanations to keep young children calm during treatment.
  • Dr. Jenny, Dr. Emily, and Dr. Haley are each mentioned as patient and reassuring with anxious or young patients.

Things to know

  • A few reviews describe feeling pushed toward extensive treatment, such as anesthesia or multiple crowns, without a full explanation of alternatives.
  • Some reviews mention billing issues, including a charge for a service not received and questions about whether recommended work was necessary.

Who it suits

  • Toddlers and other young children
  • Children with special needs or anxiety around dental visits
  • Families with multiple children needing care at once

Doctors patients mention

  • Dr. Jenny · 10 reviews
  • Dr. Emily · 5 reviews
  • Dr. Haley · 3 reviews

Orthodontic care in reviews

Few reviews discuss orthodontic treatment specifically; the feedback above reflects general dental visits.

Last 90 days
49 reviews
averaging 5.0★
Last 12 months
190 reviews
averaging 4.9★
Owner replies
32% of reviews
Reviews per month
49
Oct 2023Sep 2026
Reviews per month
Oct 20230
Nov 20230
Dec 20230
Jan 20240
Feb 20240
Mar 20240
Apr 20240
May 20240
Jun 20240
Jul 20240
Aug 20240
Sep 20240
Oct 202411
Nov 202423
Dec 202435
Jan 202532
Feb 202532
Mar 202549
Apr 202531
May 202516
Jun 202516
Jul 202522
Aug 202519
Sep 202529
Oct 202525
Nov 202534
Dec 20251
Jan 202615
Feb 20263
Mar 202626
Apr 202614
May 202610
Jun 20268
Jul 202621
Aug 202621
Sep 20267
Average rating by year
  • 20245.0
  • 20254.9
  • 20264.9
1★5★
What patients talk about
PraiseCriticism
  • Great with kids67
  • Friendly staff58 / 2
  • Gentle, comfortable care42
  • Clear explanations27 / 1
  • The dentist14 / 2
  • Scheduling & wait times12 / 3
  • Office & technology13
  • Responsiveness7 / 2
What patients talk about
ThemePraiseCriticism
Great with kids670
Friendly staff582
Gentle, comfortable care420
Clear explanations271
The dentist142
Scheduling & wait times123
Office & technology130
Responsiveness72

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Recent reviews from Google

4.9
1,188 reviews
Regina Malia
Regina Malia
4 weeks ago
“

Great experience for my daughter. Very kind. She was nervous at first but they explained everything they were doing and that really calmed her

Review from Google

Tedi-Marie Usher
Tedi-Marie Usher
Edited a month ago
“

A great dentist for children. They have TVs for all the seats and the hygienists are super nice and great with kids. I’ve been super happy bringing my kids here.

Review from Google

Katlyn Andres
Katlyn Andres
a month ago
“

We take our autistic son here, and every visit has been a wonderful experience. The entire staff is incredibly kind, patient, and understanding with him, which means so much to our family. They always take the time to make him feel comfortable, and we truly appreciate the compassion and care they show. We highly recommend this dental office!

Review from Google

Felicia Alston
Felicia Alston
2 months ago
“

The staff of employees were friendly it was me and my son first time visit. They took their time explaing what needed to be done with my son teeth and how to make him comfortable so yes I would recommend them.

Review from Google

Grayson C
Grayson C
2 months ago
“

Today, July 8, 2026, I brought my almost 7-year-old son in for a filling, and I am so grateful for the care he received from Dr. Haley and her assistant, Michelle. As any parent knows, dental work can be intimidating for a child, but they made the entire experience so much easier for both of us. They took the time to talk him through every step, keeping him calm, reassured, and comfortable throughout the procedure. Their patience, kindness, and ability to connect with him were truly remarkable. What stood out most was how attentive and compassionate they were. They understood the urgency of the situation, worked efficiently, and never made us feel rushed. Instead, they made sure my son felt safe and cared for every step of the way. It is clear that they genuinely care about their patients and go above and beyond to create a positive experience. Thank you, Dr. Haley and Michelle, for taking such wonderful care of my son. We left feeling relieved, grateful, and incredibly thankful to have such an amazing dental team.

Review from Google

Read all 1,188 reviews on Google →

Questions about this practice

What orthodontic treatments does Smile First Pediatric Dental offer?+
Smile First Pediatric Dental offers: Invisalign, Clear Aligners, Traditional Braces, Early Treatment.
Does Smile First Pediatric Dental accept dental insurance?+
Smile First Pediatric Dental accepts Aetna, Careington, Humana.
Is Smile First Pediatric Dental accepting new patients?+
Smile First Pediatric Dental is currently welcoming new patients in Durham, NC. Call (919) 493-2569 or book online to schedule.
Where is Smile First Pediatric Dental located?+
Smile First Pediatric Dental is located at 3616 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd. Get directions: https://maps.google.com/?cid=5001668336002928625&g_mp=CiVnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLkdldFBsYWNlEAIYBCAA
What are the office hours for Smile First Pediatric Dental?+
Smile First Pediatric Dental office hours: Mon 8:00 AM–4:30 PM, Tue 8:00 AM–4:30 PM, Wed 8:00 AM–4:00 PM, Thu 7:00 AM–4:00 PM, Fri Closed–Closed, Sat Closed–Closed, Sun Closed–Closed.
Does Smile First Pediatric Dental offer payment plans?+
Yes, Smile First Pediatric Dental offers flexible payment plans to make orthodontic treatment affordable.
What is the patient rating for Smile First Pediatric Dental?+
Smile First Pediatric Dental has a 4.9-star rating based on 1188 patient reviews on Google.
How long has Smile First Pediatric Dental been in practice?+
Smile First Pediatric Dental has been providing orthodontic care since 1975, serving the Durham, NC community for over 51 years.

Research with AI

ChatGPTPerplexityClaude
3616 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd
Durham, NC 27707
Get Directions
(919) 493-2569
smilefirstdental.com/
Book Online
care@smilefirstdental.com
Open in Google Maps
Accepting new patients
Est. 1975
Payment Plans Available
Online Booking Available
Emergency Hours Available

Accessibility & Parking

Wheelchair Accessible Entrance
Wheelchair Accessible Parking
Wheelchair Accessible Restroom
CashCredit CardsDebit CardsContactless / NFCCareCredit
Mon8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Tue8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Wed8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thu7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
FriClosed
SatClosed
SunClosed

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