Children’s Dental Care in Peoria, IL

Pine Glen Dental Group is a general dental practice that welcomes patients of all ages, including children. Dr. Rice and Dr. Thelen are licensed general dentists.

Finding a dental home for your child is one of the most important decisions you can make for their long-term health. Children have unique dental needs that evolve quickly, from the eruption of their first baby teeth to the transition into a permanent smile, and each stage requires attentive, knowledgeable care. Too often, parents wait until a problem surfaces before scheduling their child’s first appointment, not realizing that early, consistent visits are what prevent the need for more complex treatment down the road. Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic diseases among children, making preventive dental care a critical part of every child’s health routine.

At Pine Glen Dental Group, we’ve been caring for Peoria families for more than two decades, and children have always been a core part of the patients we serve. Dr. Lori Rice, a Loma Linda University School of Dentistry graduate, and Dr. Jacey Thelen, a UMKC graduate and Peoria-area native who joined the practice in 2026, understand that a positive experience in the dental chair at a young age lays the groundwork for a lifetime of healthy habits. Our children’s dental care is made to be thorough, comfortable, and reassuring, so your child looks forward to coming in rather than dreading the visit.

What Children’s Dental Care Looks Like at Pine Glen

Dental appointments for children at our practice go beyond a quick cleaning. We take the time to assess each child’s development, review habits that may affect their oral health, and offer personalized guidance to parents. Our goal is to catch small issues early, before they become the kind of problems that disrupt your child’s daily life or require significant treatment.

During a typical visit, we conduct a comprehensive oral exam and professional cleaning, evaluate bite development, and check for any early signs of decay. We also take digital X-rays when appropriate, using our digital radiography technology, which emits significantly less radiation than traditional X-rays and makes the process faster and more comfortable for younger patients.

Preventive Care That Protects Growing Smiles

Prevention is at the center of everything we do for our younger patients. We offer several services designed to reduce the risk of cavities and protect developing teeth throughout childhood and adolescence.

We take the time to talk through brushing and flossing techniques with both children and their parents, because the habits formed at home are just as important as what we do in the office. Our team genuinely enjoys working with kids, and we adjust our communication style and approach to make every child feel comfortable and informed.

Building a Relationship with Your Child’s Dental Team

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child’s first dental visit occur by their first birthday or within six months of the first tooth erupting. Starting this early allows us to monitor development, identify any risk factors, and establish a relationship with your child before anxiety has a chance to take hold. When children grow up knowing their dental team and feeling at ease in the office, they tend to be far more cooperative and engaged as they get older.

A Practice Built for Families

Pine Glen Dental Group has spent more than two decades building trust with Peoria families, and that trust is something we don’t take lightly. Dr. Lori Rice and Dr. Jacey Thelen have deep roots in this community, which means they understand the families they treat and genuinely invest in their well-being. Our practice holds a 4.7-star Google rating and has been recognized as a Nextdoor Neighborhood Favorite every year from 2018 through 2024, reflecting the relationships we’ve built with the people who trust us with their care. We also offer oral exams for patients of all ages, making it easy for the whole family to receive care in one familiar place.

What Parents Can Expect at Every Visit

We know your time is valuable, and we work to make every visit efficient without sacrificing quality. From the moment you arrive, our team is focused on making the experience as smooth and stress-free as possible for both you and your child. We walk parents through everything we observe during the appointment, answer questions openly, and provide clear direction for at-home care between visits. If we see anything that may need to be addressed, we’ll explain the options in plain language so you can make informed decisions for your child’s health.

Schedule Your Child’s Appointment at Pine Glen Dental Group

Pine Glen Dental Group has been a trusted name in Peoria dentistry for more than two decades, and our commitment to children’s oral health is a reflection of our broader mission to serve families across every stage of life. Dr. Lori Rice graduated top of her class from Loma Linda University School of Dentistry, and Dr. Jacey Thelen, a UMKC graduate and Peoria-area native, joined the practice as an associate dentist in 2026. Together, they’ve built a practice rooted in clinical excellence, compassion, and community. Our preventative program is designed to keep patients of all ages healthy year after year, with a particular focus on establishing strong habits early in life.

We accept cash, personal checks, Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express. If you’re looking for a dentist in Peoria who will treat your child like family, we’d love to welcome you into our practice. You can reach out to schedule an appointment through our contact form, and our team will help you find a time that works for your family’s schedule.