Learn more about pain-free shots at Pine Tree Pediatric Dentistry.
When your child needs dental care in Happy Valley, finding a board-certified pediatric dentist who truly understands children’s unique needs makes all the difference. Happy Valley families deserve more than a general dentist — they deserve a specialist who has spent years training specifically for kids.
At Pine Tree Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Tesha Waggoner is dedicated to providing Happy Valley children with a relaxing and comforting experience at the dentist. As a mom herself, she has put endless thought and care into making our dental office a place your child won’t fear or dread, but look forward to visiting! We see patients as early as 6 months after their first baby tooth, until they’re old enough to see their adult dentist. Our office is approximately 25 minutes from Happy Valley via I-205 North.
Pediatric dentists receive specialized training beyond general dentistry, focusing on the oral health needs of infants, children, and adolescents. This additional education includes child psychology, behavior management, and techniques for treating developing teeth and jaws.
Children’s dental needs differ significantly from adults. Their teeth are still developing, they may have difficulty sitting still during treatments, and they often experience anxiety about dental visits. A pediatric dentist understands these challenges and has the training to address them effectively.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children visit a pediatric dentist by their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth appearing. Early dental visits help establish a positive relationship with dental care and allow for early detection of potential problems.
Regular pediatric dental visits provide opportunities for preventive care, including professional cleanings, fluoride treatments, and dental sealants. These preventive measures can significantly reduce the risk of cavities and other oral health problems as children grow.
Happy Valley families can access Pine Tree Pediatric Dentistry’s full range of children’s dental services — just 25 minutes away via I-205 North. No matter the age, we work directly with your child to develop the best care plan for them to keep their smile bright and healthy.
Prevention forms the foundation of pediatric dentistry. Regular checkups and cleanings help maintain healthy teeth and gums for Happy Valley children while allowing early detection of potential issues. During these visits, we provide thorough examinations, professional cleanings, and age-appropriate oral hygiene instruction.
We also provide comprehensive oral health education for both children and parents. Teaching proper brushing and flossing techniques with tools like our puppet Mr. Dragon helps make learning fun and engaging. We even offer toothpaste tasting sessions to help Happy Valley kids find grocery store brands they like.
When cavities or other dental problems occur, our team provides gentle, effective restorative treatments for Happy Valley patients. We offer a wide range of filling and pediatric crown options, including tooth-colored composite fillings for primary teeth. Our approach focuses on preserving as much natural tooth structure as possible while restoring function and appearance. When a tooth cannot be saved, we also perform gentle extractions in a calm, supportive environment to keep your Happy Valley child comfortable throughout.
For Happy Valley children who need more comprehensive treatment or experience significant dental anxiety, we provide sedation dentistry solutions, including nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation. When complex cases require a hospital environment, Dr. Waggoner holds privileges at Providence St. Vincent Hospital to ensure your child receives the highest level of care.
We provide compassionate dental care for children with special needs from Happy Valley and throughout the Portland area. Our office features helpful tools such as weighted blankets, low lighting, and the ability to watch a movie during treatment. Our in-office dogs, Meyers and CJ, provide additional comfort for children of all abilities. We also offer pre-visit office tours to help Happy Valley children become familiar with our practice before their appointment.
For Happy Valley children who need tongue-tie releases, we perform frenectomies in coordination with speech or myofunctional therapy to optimize results. For older children, we only perform tongue releases in conjunction with the child being in therapy.
Dental emergencies can happen unexpectedly. We have an on-call dentist available to assist Happy Valley families with urgent situations after regular office hours. If a tooth gets knocked out, remember that teeth can be stored in milk, saline solution, or a tooth preservation kit until you can reach our office. Learn more about our Happy Valley emergency dental care.
Our entire practice is designed around making dental visits positive, comfortable experiences that children actually look forward to attending.
Our office is designed with children in mind. We offer helpful tools such as weighted blankets, low lighting, and the ability to watch a movie during treatment. These accommodations help children of all abilities feel more comfortable and relaxed.
Our in-office dog, Meyers, is great with children of all abilities and often helps create a more welcoming atmosphere for young patients who might feel anxious about their dental visit.
We encourage parents to avoid over-preparing their child for the dentist. Instead, we offer pre-visit office tours for children who may feel anxious. We also provide social stories with pictures that walk children through what to expect during their visit.
During appointments, we encourage parents to be silent observers or helpers. We talk about letting kids go back for cleanings and treatment by themselves when appropriate. Our trained team uses proven distraction and coping techniques designed for children, and too many people trying to help can sometimes have the opposite effect.
Dr. Tesha Waggoner, DMD, graduated from Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) in 2014 and completed her pediatric dental training at OHSU in 2018. She maintains privileges at Providence St. Vincent Hospital for cases requiring general anesthesia. Dr. T lives in Portland with her husband Tony, her son Bruce, and their two labradoodles, CJ and Meyers.
Dr. Waggoner holds membership with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, and the Oregon Academy of Pediatric Dentistry — bringing both the clinical foundation and the patient-centered philosophy that pediatric dentistry demands.
We believe in supporting our community and are actively involved in local organizations that serve children and families throughout the Portland area — including Happy Valley.
Our practice participates in the Down Syndrome Network Oregon Buddy Walk every year, demonstrating our commitment to serving children of all abilities. We also support organizations like Smile Oregon for children with craniofacial conditions.
This community involvement reflects our belief that every child — from Happy Valley to Portland and beyond — deserves access to quality dental care and the opportunity to develop a healthy, confident smile.
We believe that financial concerns should never prevent Happy Valley children from receiving quality dental care, and we work with families to make treatment affordable and accessible.
We accept most dental insurance plans, including Delta Dental Premier, and our team can help you understand your insurance benefits and coverage options. We also accept Oregon Health Plan (OHP) Medicaid through ODS dental plans. Our knowledgeable staff will verify your coverage before your appointment and explain what treatments are covered under your plan.
We also offer various financing options to help Happy Valley families manage the cost of their children’s dental care. Our goal is to ensure that every child has access to the preventive and restorative care they need for optimal oral health.
From infancy through the teenage years, we provide guidance and support to help Happy Valley families maintain their children’s oral health at home.
For families with very young children, we provide guidance on establishing good oral health habits early. For children younger than 3, it’s important to still brush their teeth even if they resist, and we emphasize being encouraging and loving during this process.
We also offer educational resources and demonstrations to help Happy Valley parents feel confident about caring for their children’s teeth between dental visits. Our team is always available to answer questions about oral hygiene techniques, dietary recommendations, and developmental concerns.
Don’t wait to establish a dental home for your Happy Valley child. Early dental care sets the foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles. Our team is ready to welcome Happy Valley families and provide the specialty pediatric care your child deserves.
Contact us today at (503) 292-9274 or use our contact form to schedule your child’s appointment. We’re located at 5415 SW Westgate Drive, Suite 207, Portland — approximately 25 minutes from Happy Valley via I-205 North. We look forward to meeting your family!
Yes — Pine Tree Pediatric Dentistry welcomes children from Happy Valley and surrounding communities. Our office is located at the Sylvan exit in SW Portland, approximately 25 minutes from Happy Valley via I-205 North. Call us at (503) 292-9274 to schedule your child's appointment.
Pine Tree Pediatric Dentistry is about 25 minutes from Happy Valley via I-205 North, connecting to I-84 West and then Highway 26 West to the Sylvan exit. We're located at 5415 SW Westgate Drive, Suite 207, Portland, OR 97221. Many Happy Valley families tell us the drive is easy and well worth it for the level of specialty care their children receive.
Yes. Specialized care for children with sensory sensitivities, autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other developmental needs is a core part of what we do. For Happy Valley children requiring general anesthesia, Dr. T holds hospital privileges at Providence St. Vincent Hospital. We also offer pre-visit social stories, weighted blankets, low lighting, and in-office dogs to support children who need extra comfort.
Happy Valley children can receive the full range of pediatric dental services at our Portland office, including routine cleanings and exams, cavity treatment, dental sealants, dental crowns, sedation dentistry, tongue-tie releases, and emergency dentistry. We see patients from their first baby tooth through adolescence. Visit our services page for the complete list.
Yes. We accept most dental insurance plans and are proudly in-network with Delta Dental Premier. For families with Oregon Health Plan (OHP) Medicaid coverage, we accept ODS dental plans. We also accept CareOregon and Advantage plans by referral. Our team files all insurance claims on your behalf and helps Happy Valley families maximize their benefits.
15962 Boones Ferry Rd, Suite 208
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
We’re so excited to share that Dr. Tesha and the Pine Tree Pediatric Dentistry team are opening a second location this July! We’re bringing the same warm, kid-friendly care families know and love — now closer to Lake Oswego. Stay tuned for more details!
