Pediatric dentist opens a new Chestnut Hill practice

by Stacia Friedman
Posted 11/3/22

Dr. Yasmina Wright was in the third grade the first time she had a thought that would one day lead her to become a dentist. 

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Pediatric dentist opens a new Chestnut Hill practice

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Dr. Yasmina Wright was in the third grade the first time she had a thought that would one day lead her to become a dentist. 

“I saw an old man at the mall and his teeth looked very unhealthy,'' Wright said. “I felt like I wanted to help him and give him a nice smile." 

It was a telling start to a path that would eventually lead Wright, who has been practicing dentistry for 13 years, to opening her first private practice in a new Chestnut Hill office that specializes in the treatment of children and people with special needs. Tooth Bud Pediatric Dentistry, located on West Highland Avenue, is equipped with the latest in dental technology and is now taking new patients. 

I chose Chestnut Hill because I wanted a location that was accessible to all communities where small business is valued,” Wright said. 

Wright’s early instincts for empathy have served her well. She has learned how to put even the most apprehensive child at ease.

“Children are not just small adults,” said Wright, who has two little ones of her own. “They are not always able to be patient and cooperative during a dental exam.”

The first step is to make the child feel comfortable through conversation, Wright said. She’ll start by asking about the toys youngsters bring with them, and after they climb onto the chair, she praises them for taking the first step. 

“Then, I ask if I can look at their teeth with my ‘Barbie’ or ‘monster truck’ mirror,” Wright said. “It’s just a standard dental mirror, but by giving it a special name, it makes them more receptive.” 

Sometimes, Wright will ask if the youngster wants to touch the mirror first, or check their doll or teddy bear’s teeth with it. 

“Showing genuine interest in how they are doing helps young patients feel at ease because they know someone cares,” she said.

The space, too, is specially designed and decorated with children in mind. Tooth Bud’s office is chocked full of activities and games, and a smart television is located in the reception area and on exam room ceilings for easy viewing when the dentist chair reclines. 

“It keeps kids happily distracted,” Wright said. “After every exam, they receive a big high five from the doctor and two tokens to use on a vending machine that dispenses small toys.”

It appears to work. 

“We have lots of kids that love going to the dentist,” Wright said.

And that really matters. 

“Without proper dental care, children face possible oral decay and disease that can cause a lifetime of pain and complications,” she said, “One in five children, aged 5 to 11 years, have at least one untreated decayed tooth.”

Wright, who grew up in the Overbrook section of the city, credits her parents with helping her get to where she is now. 

"My parents were supportive of my being in the science field. They guided and  encouraged me to pursue what I wanted to do," she said.

Wright, who earned a dental degree from Howard University, honed her ability to work with children, especially those with autism or special needs, during her dental residency at NYU Langone Hospitals in Nashville, Tenn. She also worked for several years in other types of dental practices. 

For more information, call 215-792-7999.