GROWING SMILES PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

Growing Smiles Pediatric Dentistry was founded in Bel Air in 2004 by Diana Capobianco, DDS, and two staff members to provide comprehensive, kind, and caring dentistry for all children including those with special needs. The offices are designed with the comfort of children in mind, and the dentists and staff are committed to the practice’s founding principles of kindness and compassion, so each patient has a positive experience.

Since its founding, Growing Smiles has added a second location in White Marsh and now has five doctors—Dr. Capobianco as well as Drs. Todd Lyman, Chris Bailey, Shira Caplan, Jacob “Jack” Lyss—and a staff of over 40. The practice offers comprehensive services including in-office anesthesia, Invisalign treatment, and myofunctional therapy.

There is also a strong emphasis on prevention. “As a pediatric dentist, I have the opportunity to prevent problems before they occur,” says Dr. Capobianco. “This means educating parents on good home care and habits, teaching proper skills, and guiding proper growth and development. It also means treatment should be delivered in a kind, gentle manner to avoid further progression of concerns. Children should be excited to visit our office.”

Dr. Capobianco is “a Marylander through and through.” After attending a local community college, she attended the University of Maryland for her undergraduate degree, doctorate in dental surgery, and pediatric dental specialty residency. Upon completion of her pediatric dental specialty training, she became a board-certified pediatric dentist. All the dentists in the practice are board certified in pediatric dentistry.

“I was so passionate about pediatric dentistry that I returned as a clinical professor and continued research collaboration with the University of Maryland Dental School,” says Dr. Capobianco.

Dr. Capobianco is a current executive board member and past president of the Maryland Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, past president and delegate for the Harford County Dental Society and Maryland State Dental Association, and is a fellow in honorary organizations such as the American Board of Pediatric Dentists, Pierre Fauchard Academy, and the International College of Dentists.

She explains that a successful practice is built on many little day-to-day successes. “On a clinical level, this means succeeding in calming and connecting with an apprehensive child, relieving pain and dysfunction for kids, restoring self-confidence to those who are unsure, and alleviating the anxiety of parents,” she says. “It also means fostering an environment where every employee enjoys coming to work and is enthusiastic about their career.”

Technology is evolving rapidly in dentistry, and the practice prides itself on continual learning and training in all new advances. Dentists consistently attend continuing education courses, participate in weekly seminars, and collaborate with colleagues across the globe. There is also in-house training for staff so they can remain abreast of new products, materials, and procedures.

Yet the most unique and important aspect of pediatric dentistry is one that is difficult to teach: trust.

“The child has to know that I am going to do everything I can to make their dental journey as positive as I can,” says Dr. Capobianco. “They need to trust that I am going to treat them with the utmost care, respect, and kindness. Parents also need to have confidence that their child’s health is our focus.”

She shares a story by way of underscoring how genuine care and concern can impact a child’s experience. She had a very nervous patient entrusted to her care. After successfully completing his treatment, his fears vanished and, “He returned to the office to give me a dandelion he picked from his yard and a picture he drew of me that said ‘Better than Wonder Woman.’ That is the ultimate achievement.”