At Kids Mile High, we practice pediatric dentistry that goes all out when it comes to caring for our patients’ teeth. And we’re humbled to announce that our Denver-area dental…
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Are you thinking about getting braces for your child, or is your kiddo already on her way to a new smile? One of the first things the parents of our Denver area orthodontic patients ask is, “How will braces change my child’s life?” For starters, braces will improve your child’s bite, oral health and self-confidence. But there are also a few changes she’ll need to make along the way, such as avoiding certain foods that could damage the hardware.
Fortunately, there are tons of braces-friendly food, so it shouldn’t be a huge adjustment. Even eating out is totally possible with braces! If you’re looking for a place to eat in Denver with braces, look no further. Read on for Kids Mile High’s ultimate braces-friendly food guide to the best restaurants in Denver, Thornton, and Englewood.
Foods to Avoid with Braces
First things first, let’s start with a little refresher on what foods to eat with braces and what foods to avoid. While it can be a bit of a bummer to be told what to eat, we’re here to assure you (and your kids) that eating with braces can be just as enjoyable as without. You’ll just need to follow a few hard-and-fast rules to keep your child’s teeth safe and healthy.
Basically, you’ll want to avoid anything hard, crunchy, chewy, sticky or any foods you have to bite into. Here’s a list of foods to avoid with braces and why:
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- Hard/crunchy foods: Popcorn, ice, chips or hard candies could potentially break your child’s brackets, which has the potential of delaying progress.
- Chewy foods: Dense bread, like bagels or pizza crust, can get stuck in braces, making it more difficult to brush and floss effectively.
- Sticky foods: Sticky items like caramels, candy and bubblegum are off-limits if your child has braces for obvious reasons. Not only do they get stuck in the brackets and wires, but these treats can also pull the brackets off your child’s teeth. And of course, the sugar itself isn’t good for developing mouths!
- Foods you bite into: Biting into things like apples, corn-on-the-cob, or carrots are dangerous for your child’s hardware, so it’s best to avoid them until the braces come off.
The most important thing to remember about eating with braces is that you need to be extra diligent about oral health care. The brackets and wires create lots of extra little spaces for plaque and bacteria to hide, so your child will need to brush and floss after every snack and meal to avoid harmful build-up.
Where to Eat with Braces in Englewood, Thornton and Denver
Okay, now to the fun part! Let’s talk about all the delicious foods you can eat with braces in the Denver area. While eating out with braces can take a little extra forethought, it doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are our favorite restaurants in Denver, Englewood and Thornton for anyone — with or without braces
- Undici Ristorante Italiano – 1200 E Hampden Ave, Englewood, CO – Italian food is one of the best things to eat with braces for many reasons: it’s delicious, it’s usually soft enough for even sensitive teeth, and everyone loves pasta! Undici has some of the best food in Englewood, serving up classic Italian dishes like calamari, spaghetti and meatballs, and tiramisu. The best part? All of the above are perfectly safe for diners with braces, so there’s no need to compromise. Undici is currently open for dine-in and takeout.
- Garibaldi Mexican Bistro – 3298 S Broadway B, Englewood, CO – For a casual dining experience that even kiddos with braces will love, Garibaldi is the spot. It truly doesn’t get more authentic than this for real-deal Mexican eats in the heart of Englewood. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the chicken mole enchiladas or the daily quesadilla special. Mexican food is an ideal braces-friendly cuisine, as long as you stick to soft tortillas, not the crunchy kind. And be sure to cut everything into bite-sized pieces to guarantee your child’s braces stay safe! Garibaldi is currently open for takeout and delivery.
- Doug’s Diner – 4243 E 136th Ave #6918, Thornton, CO – Everyone’s favorite diner in Thornton doubles as the perfect place to eat with braces. This neighborhood gem dishes up American classics like omelettes, hamburgers and sandwiches. Kids with braces can still eat at Doug’s, as long as they cut their food into bite-sized pieces or stick to soft menu items like the many delicious omelettes available. Doug’s Diner is currently open for dine-in and takeout.
- Four Friends Kitchen – 2893 Roslyn St, Denver, CO – This Southern-inspired eatery is a fantastic place to eat out in Denver with braces. Located in Central Park, Four Friends was created by, you guessed it, four friends! So you know it’ll be a friendly restaurant for the whole family. For your braces-clad kiddos, stick to menu items like grits, waffles and mac-n-cheese. Four Friends is currently open for dine-in, takeout and delivery.
- Ace Eat Serve – 501 E 17th Ave, Denver, CO – This has got to be one of the coolest restaurants in Denver, whether you have braces or not. With a menu full of unique Asian-inspired dishes and a dozen ping pong tables (yes, really), you and your kids are guaranteed to have a great time. Most things on the menu are safe for braces, including rice bowls, noodle bowls, bao buns, and especially the peanut butter Thai rolled ice cream (just watch out for those crunchy peanuts!). As long as you avoid any tough meats like the crispy beef, you should be in the clear. Ace Eat Serve is currently open for dine-in, takeout and delivery — and ping pong!
Did we miss one of your favorite local restaurants? We’d love to hear all about it at your next appointment with Kids Mile High. Contact us today to book.
It’s official: our Denver pediatric dentistry office is now Kids Mile High Central Park!
As you know, the Stapleton neighborhood was recently renamed Central Park following a unanimous vote in mid-August. The name change came as a response to the growing Black Lives Matter movement and the Kids Mile High team is proud to follow suit.
Even though our northeast Denver practice has a new name, you can still expect the same fantastic service you’ve come to love at Kids Mile High. As Central Park pediatric dentists, our number one goal is to make dentistry … well, fun! We know that might sound like a tall order, but if you’ve visited our Englewood, Thornton or Central Park pediatric dentistry locations, you know we deliver.
Our kid-friendly offices were designed with our patients’ comfort and enjoyment in mind. They’re bright, engaging, interactive and downright awesome. When you walk in the door, get a high-five from Dr. Paddy while showing off your skills on the in-office putting green. Admire Dr. Roger’s Mickey Mouse shoes or peek inside at the aquatic life in the 250-gallon fish tank. Once you experience the exceptional pediatric dental services in our relaxed, cheerful environment, you’ll never look at going to the dentist the same again!
Aside from our interactive offices and fun approach to pediatric dentistry, Kids Mile High offers only the best in kids’ dental care. We use state-of-the-art technology to prevent, diagnose and treat your child’s oral health concerns. Using preventive dentistry and orthodontic intervention when necessary, we stop serious problems before they start and can tackle even the most complex issues with ease.
Dr. Paddy, Dr. Roger and Dr. Owens are experts in creating healthy smiles for patients from infancy through adolescence. As Central Park’s pediatric dentistry specialists, they’re committed to helping children develop amazing oral health habits for life. Together, the Kids Mile High team shares a mission to create a fun, positive dental experience for kids and parents alike.
Join us in celebrating the new name of our Denver location. Better yet, come check out the office for yourself! Contact us to book an appointment at Kids Mile High Central Park today.
The Kids Mile High team is beyond excited to say that it’s officially summer! With social distancing still in effect, this year is surely going to look a little different than summers’ past, but we can’t wait to enjoy all our favorite summer family activities in Denver. We may need to adapt how we do things, but farmers’ markets, family hikes and camping trips are all safe with the proper precautions in place. Need some ideas for (almost) free things to do with kids in Denver and beyond this summer? Read on for the annual list from your Englewood, Central Park and Thornton pediatric dentists.
Is there a kid out there who doesn’t love dinosaurs? We don’t think so! Fortunately, Dinosaur Ridge is open — with a few new socially distant protocols, of course. Let your kiddos discover their inner archeologist by exploring the exhibits at this National Natural Landmark. There’s a small fee to enter the park and participate in a walking tour. Choose from a full or half guided tour for $6-10 per person, or fly solo and download the audio tour to your phone for just $6. However you choose to experience Dinosaur Ridge, we’re sure the whole family will love it.
Everyone’s favorite summer family night out is back as movie goers flock to parks across the city to catch a free, outdoor flick. Grab the kids, pack a blanket and some snacks, and settle in for a fun family activity in Denver your little ones will always remember. Check out the full listing of outdoor movies in Denver, Central Park and beyond to make sure you don’t miss your favorites. Many outdoor movies are currently operating as drive-ins to keep everyone safe, so be sure to check the appropriate websites for updates.
Our idea of a perfect summer morning is strolling through the farmers’ market, picking up fresh produce and seeing all the artisan goods on display. And we’re lucky to have many farmers’ markets in Denver and the surrounding area. One of the best (and biggest) is Cherry Creek Fresh Market, taking place every Saturday, Wednesday and occasionally on Sundays at Cherry Creek Shopping Center. It’s the perfect place to teach your kids about the value of supporting local growers and businesses. You could even let them pick out the goodies for tonight’s dinner! After all, we’re all cooking at home more than usual these days. Why not give your kiddos the opportunity to be involved? Admission and parking for the market is free. Check out the market’s current COVID-19 protocols before you go.
Get your art fix — virtual style — with the Art District on Santa Fe’s First Friday Art Walk. Usually located in Denver’s local art hub in the heart of downtown, the art walk has gone virtual for the season. It takes place on (you guessed it) the first Friday of each month and is one of the best free, kid-friendly activities in Denver! Featuring art from over 30 galleries, artist studios and restaurants, the First Friday Art Walk is an art lover’s dream. Shows start at 5pm on Facebook.
- Have a Backyard Camp-Out
You don’t have to go anywhere to enjoy everything that summer in Denver has to offer. You can simply pitch a tent in your own backyard and have a family camp-out! If you have a fire pit, roast up some hot dogs and be sure to save room for s’mores. No campfire? No problem. Throw some burgers on the BBQ and try this baked s’mores recipe. When the sun goes down, gather around the fire or a flashlight and share ghost stories. You’ll feel like you’re camping in the great outdoors without leaving the comfort of home. Of course, if you want to do some real camping, there are plenty of family friendly campsites near Denver. Just be prepared to drive for an hour or more.
Did you know there are plenty of family friendly hiking trails less than an hour’s drive from Denver? Now you do and we recommend you hit the trails, stat! Hiking is one of the best things to do with kids in Denver this summer. Not only does it get you and your kids active — it’s an opportunity to teach them all about the beauty of nature. Not to mention that it’s easy to maintain a safe social distance when you’re in the forest! In just 30 minutes from downtown, you can get to Bear Creek Trail at Lair o’ the Bear Park, or the Lookout Mountain Hiking Trail, for easy kid-friendly hikes. A little further out, you can explore the castle ruins at Mount Falcon (even if you have a stroller!). Whether you’re beginners or seasoned hikers, there’s a trail near Denver with your name on it.
What are your favorite summer family activities in Denver? We’d love to hear all about your summer adventures at your next visit! Book your next appointment with Kids Mile High today.
We’re so excited that our doors are finally open again and we can welcome our Englewood, Central Park and Thornton pediatric patients back into our office. We’ve missed you over the past few weeks, but we’ve managed to find ways to keep ourselves busy. One of our favorite things to do during self-isolation? Family baking!
The team at Kids Mile High has been making the most of our time at home, trying fun new recipes that are simple enough for kids to make (with adult supervision, of course). Even though banana bread is basically the official baked good of quarantine, there are so many other kid-friendly baking recipes you can make together. The best part is you probably already have everything you need in the pantry, so there’s no need to make unnecessary trips to the grocery store.
Whether you’re still isolating at home or just want to introduce your kids to the art of baking, here are five super simple baking recipes for kids.
- Everyone’s Favorite: Chocolate Brownies
There’s nothing better than a gooey chocolate brownie, am I right? They’re a crowd pleaser for kids and adults alike, and it turns out that they’re incredibly easy to make. With just eight ingredients you likely have on hand already, you can make delicious, chocolatey brownies the whole family will love.
Here’s what you need: bittersweet chocolate chips, unsalted butter, eggs, sugar, vanilla, baking powder, salt and all purpose flour. All you have to do is melt the chocolate and butter together, then add the rest of the ingredients to make a thick batter. Then bake at 350°F for 25 minutes and you’re good to go! Get the full easy brownie recipe here.
- The Classic Baking Treat: Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ready to make the chewiest, gooiest chocolate chip cookies of all time? All you need are nine simple pantry staples. It might sound like a lot but once you read the list, you’ll realize you already have everything you need. These chocolate chip cookies are also egg-free, so they’re truly a pantry-only treat!
Here’s the list of ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, sea salt, chocolate chips, brown sugar, white sugar, coconut or olive oil, and water. You could easily sub in whatever kind of flour, sugar and oil you have at home. Let the kids mix up the ingredients and then all you have to do is pop them in the oven. In about 15 minutes, you’ll have the best chocolate chip cookies you’ve ever had. Read the full kid-friendly chocolate chip cookie recipe and get baking!
- The Easiest, Healthiest, Tastiest One-Bowl Banana Bread
No list of quarantine baking ideas would be complete without a delicious banana bread! This one requires just a handful of ingredients and only one bowl to make. Just throw everything into one bowl and mix it up to create a batter. Then pour into a parchment-lined, 9×5-inch baking dish and bake for at least an hour. You’ll know it’s ready when the crust becomes a golden brown and begins to crack.
Using pantry items like bananas, oats, maple syrup, sugar and more, you can make kid-friendly (and naturally gluten free) banana bread in no time. Get the full healthy banana bread recipe from Minimalist Baker (and if you’re missing an ingredient or two, read the comments below the post for suggestions on substitutions!).
- Kid-Approved Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars
Every kid’s favorite sandwich just got an even tastier makeover. If you’ve got flour, oats, sugar, salt, baking soda, peanut butter, butter and jam on hand, you’ve got yourself the fixings for one of the best baking recipes for kids. These chewy peanut butter and jelly bars have a crumbly crust on the top and bottom that sandwiches a thick layer of strawberry jam. These bars look so delicious we’re willing to bet your kiddos will be asking for them again and again. Check out the full kid-friendly baking recipe and get ready to see your kiddos smile.
- Nutritious (and Delicious) Trail Mix Cookies
Well, you knew we had to include at least one healthy baking recipe for kids. We are pediatric dentists, after all. Fortunately, you don’t have to sacrifice taste for nutrition with these yummy trail mix cookies. Peanut butter, maple syrup, salt, vanilla extract, baking soda and trail mix come together for a super healthy-yet-tasty treat that even kids will love. Does your child have a peanut allergy? Simple swap out the peanut butter for any other nut or seed butter (like almond butter or tahini). This healthy cookie recipe for kids is perfect for breakfasts, picnics or as an on-the-go snack for family walks. Trust us, they’ll be a hit.
Baking is not only a super fun family activity, it can also be educational for your youngsters. They’ll learn all about fractions and measurements, and discover the magic of watching a bowl of ingredients transform into delicious baked goods. Baking is truly one of the most fun family activities for children and parents to enjoy together. What have you been baking over the last few months? Be sure to let us know at your next appointment with Kids Mile High.
Hey KMH patients,
We’re super excited to welcome you back to the office starting Monday, May 4th, however, to continue to ensure a safe and healthy environment for both our patients and team, we’ve made the following changes to our policies and protocols while we adjust to this “new normal.”
As always, we appreciate your understanding and support, and we look forward to seeing all of your smiling faces again in the weeks to come!
Changes we’ve made:
- When visiting the office for an appointment, both patient and parent must wear masks. (If you have them)
- We will be asking parents to limit siblings coming to appointments when possible.
- We will ask a series of screening questions upon arrival, such as travel, symptoms, etc.
- We will also be taking temperatures of all staff as they enter the practice for work each morning and patients and parents at check-in.
- We will be opening at a 50% capacity to abide by the social distancing requirements and will be adding sneeze guards to our front office stations.
- Staff will now be wearing surgical hair bonnets and N95 masks with additional eye shields.
- We have purchased medical-grade air fresheners to circulate the air in the treatment rooms.
- We have removed toys, books and magazines from the reception area, and the video game systems will be turned off.
- The coffee/tea stations have been removed, but we are happy to get patients a beverage if desired.
- We will be delegating “family areas” so patients do not co-mingle in the reception area.
- The toy stations for patient prizes will now be restricted to staff disbursement.
- We are diligently working on developing electronic forms to minimize staff/patient exposure with paper forms.
- If patients have dental needs, but the parent/patient has flu-like symptoms, we will do a screening by phone and ask them to upload photos of the problem via our website portal set up for patients.
- The medical building we are located in has also done their part by bringing in a professional sanitizing crew to sanitize the common areas.
In regards to scheduling, every effort has been made to contact patients that require schedule changes, and we will be reaching out again to get them back on schedule. However, if you have not been contacted, please give the office a call to get those appointments scheduled.
We will continue to update our patients through our website, social media, and email announcements. When calling, please update your email address with our practice to ensure you get all of our updates and go to our Facebook page to see the latest news. We will also be extending office hours as necessary to accommodate patient needs and assist them in maximizing their insurance.
Thank you, and see you SOON! 😁
The Kids Mile High Team
So what day of self-isolation are you and your family on now? For the team at Kids Mile High, it’s been a few weeks since we had to close our doors due to the current COVID-19 crisis. We really miss seeing all our patients’ smiling faces, but we also appreciate this rare opportunity to spend extra time at home with our families. That said, it can take some time to adjust to having your kids home all day, every day. Finding creative, fun, engaging activities can be easier said than done.
As your Englewood, Central Park and Thornton pediatric dentists, we care about more than your children’s oral health. We want to make sure they’re happy, healthy and thriving in all aspects of their lives. That’s why we put together this list of fun, kid-friendly art projects that you can do at home. You probably already have everything you need on hand. Ready to help your kiddos release their inner artist? Check out these awesome art ideas for kids.
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Create a Blow Paint Monster
Whether you’ve got toddlers at home or fifth graders, this is a fun art project for kids of all ages. Blow painting is super easy (as long as you teach your kiddos to blow instead of suck the paint through the straw!) and lets your kids show off their creative side. To create your very own blow paint monster, all you need is watered down paint, a container and spoon for each color, large sheets of paper, straws and a permanent marker.
First, use the marker to draw (or have your child draw) a monster’s face on the page, making sure to leave enough space around your monster. Then spoon a few drops of your chosen color of paint onto where you want your monster’s hair to be. Now the fun part: grab your straw and start to blow on the paint. The paint will go wild, swirling and twirling on the page, to create a wacky, crazy hair-do for your monster. When your child is happy with his or her creation, lay it flat to dry. And then make another one (or two, or three…).
Tip: To avoid accidentally ingesting any paint, we recommend using food coloring and water instead of real paint.
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Make Your Own Paintbrushes from Nature
Want to elevate your kids’ at-home art projects? All you need is a little touch of nature. Take your kids for a walk outside and encourage them to grab some sticks, pinecones, evergreen leaves, or whatever they can find. Maybe you’re fortunate enough to have beautiful trees right in your own backyard! The sticks will become the handle for your natural paintbrush and the leaves will become the bristles. Layer the leaves around the end of the stick to create a good-sized brush, and then secure using a bit of string. All you need now is some paint and a canvas. Set your child up with a large sheet of paper, a few color options, and let them loose. You’ll be amazed at how something as simple as leaves and twigs can create such beautiful art.
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Grow a Paper Flower Garden
Now that spring has finally sprung, what better way to entertain your kids at home than by creating a beautiful flower garden? A paper flower garden, that is. This simple, fun craft for kids only requires a few supplies. Here’s what you need: regular printer paper, colored paper, straws (preferably green ones!), scissors, a glue stick and clear tape.
Start by cutting a circle out of colored paper for the center of your flower. Then use a different color to cut strips of paper and glue them into loops. Then glue the loops to one side of the circle, and voila: you have flower petals. Then glue the straw to the center of your flower to create a stem and secure it with tape. And that’s it! Make a few more flowers using different color combinations until you’ve got a pretty garden. Read these detailed instructions for this fun paper flower craft for helpful tips.
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Get Creative with Painted Rocks
Looking for a super easy art project for kids that also encourages them to get outside? Painted rocks are the perfect solution. Send your kids on a rock hunt for the smoothest, shiniest rocks they can find. Big rocks, small rocks, medium-sized rocks — anything goes! Once they’ve gathered up enough rocks of various sizes, it’s time to get painting. Small rocks could become ladybugs or bumblebees. Bigger rocks could turn into turtles, crazy patterns or anything your little ones can imagine. After the painted rocks have had a chance to dry, you could display them throughout your garden to give your yard an artsy boost, or share them with the community by dropping a few “Hello, stay safe” rocks on the side of the road when you take your walk for the day. (Take care not to put in the street which could create a hazard)
There’s a lot going on and we’re all adjusting to a new normal right now, and it can be tough to keep your kids busy when they’re at home full time. Try to remember that while the days are long, the years are incredibly short. So let’s all enjoy this extra time with our kids while we have it and create fun, beautiful art projects together. Before you know it, life will be back to normal. At Kids Mile High, we’re already looking forward to seeing you.
Dear patients,
*UPDATED* May 1st at 3:08 pm
We will be reopening on Monday, May, 4th! Find out more HERE.
Dear patients,
*UPDATED* April 15th at 12:10 pm
As mentioned previously, the safety and well-being of our community are of the utmost importance to us, so we will be following Governor Polis’ new mandate which states that we are to remain closed for all non-essential dental procedures until April 26th.
With this being said, we will continue to be available for patients experiencing pain or trauma for emergency care.
Here are some ways you can get in touch with us:
- During daytime hours (8:00- 5:00), you can call the office and leave a message. Messages will be monitored throughout the day, and a staff member will return your call promptly to address emergencies, appointment requests and account questions.
- Use our NEW virtual visit service linked HERE.
- If you’re experiencing an after-hours emergency, please call the office and follow the prompts to reach the after-hours emergency line.
- You can email hello@kidsmilehigh.com for appointment requests/questions or account questions. The email will be monitored throughout the day, but will not be monitored at night.
- If you are contacting the office to make a payment on your account, please do not include payment information on your message or in an email. Leave your name and number so a staff member can reach out and get payment information from you.
We miss you all, and we look forward to seeing you in May, hopefully!
Stay safe and keep smiling! =)
KIDS MILE HIGH
125 Inverness Dr. East, Ste. 300
Englewood, CO 80112
Phone: (303) 779-5306
*UPDATED* March 26th at 9:49 am
The safety and well-being of our community are of the utmost importance to us, so we are doing all we can to minimize the exposure risks for our patients while still being available digitally and over the phone for those in need of urgent care.
In light of the current COVID-19 crisis and in the interest of protecting our patients and team, we are following the latest rules from the AAPD, ADA, CDA and CDC. This means the KMH team will be working from home and can no longer have staff in our clinic locations for day-to-day operations until April 11th.
With this being said, we will continue to be available for patients experiencing pain or trauma for emergency care.
Here are some ways you can get in touch with us:
- During daytime hours (8:00- 5:00), you can call the office and leave a message. Messages will be monitored throughout the day, and a staff member will return your call promptly to address emergencies, appointment requests and account questions.
- If you’re experiencing an after-hours emergency, please call the office and follow the prompts to reach the after-hours emergency line.
- You can email hello@kidsmilehigh.com for appointment requests/questions or account questions. The email will be monitored throughout the day, but will not be monitored at night.
- If you are contacting the office to make a payment on your account, please do not include payment information on your message or in an email. Leave your name and number so a staff member can reach out and get payment information from you.
Thank you again for your understanding during this time! We will continue to keep everyone informed with changes as they transpire.
Stay safe and keep smiling! =)
KIDS MILE HIGH
125 Inverness Dr. East, Ste. 300
Englewood, CO 80112
Phone: (303) 779-5306
*UPDATED* March 20th at 3:35 pm
In light of the current COVID-19 crisis and in the interest of protecting our patients and team, we are following the executive order of the AAPD, ADA, CDA and CDC and have closed our office (EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY) until April 14th.
We will be contacting every patient who is on the schedule from now until then and will reappoint you once we have more information.
We will remain available for emergencies and to answer any questions via phone or email.
Phone: (303) 779-5306
Email: hello@kidsmilehigh.com
Make sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for timely updates.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
Thank you so much for your support and understanding during this difficult time. We feel blessed to be part of such an amazing community. We take comfort knowing we will get through this together. We will continue to update you as new information becomes available.
Braces Patients:
Hygiene, hygiene, hygiene! Brush, floss, repeat. Continue with your treatment as directed until you are seen again.
Stay safe and keep smiling! =)
KIDS MILE HIGH
125 Inverness Dr. East, Ste. 300
Englewood, CO 80112
Phone: (303) 779-5306
Dear friends of Kids Mile High Pediatric Dentistry,
We are still open!
However, with the situation rapidly changing day-by-day, we’ll continue to keep you updated via email, social media, and our website should the status of our office change in the future.
As we continue to monitor the COVID-19 virus situation in our community, we want to reach out and share the actions KMH is taking to keep our patients and staff healthy and protected, so that we can continue to provide the best pediatric/orthodontic treatment for your children.
We follow and exceed all CDC (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines with the highest level of disinfection between patients and use modern state-of-the-art sterilization techniques and equipment to ensure our instruments are always pristine. Our top priority has always been the safety and wellbeing of our patients, guests, staff, providers and community.
Established Standard Precautions
Our staff and providers strictly adhere to the CDC’s Standard Precautions for Healthcare settings. These include disinfecting treatment rooms between patients, using single-use personal protective equipment (such as masks and gloves) with each patient, and sterilizing instruments using best practices in sterilization techniques. We routinely disinfect patient waiting areas, as well as frequently touched surfaces (door handles, toys, etc). We publish and enforce standards for hand washing, maintenance of patient safety measures, and conduct routine training on best practices for all office staff to ensure compliance. These standards have always been in place in our practice, even prior to the recent pandemic.
Additional Precautionary Measures for COVID-19
We are constantly monitoring and following all recommendations from the CDC, the World Health Organization, the American Dental Association, as well as local and national government agencies, to stay current with information and safety measures. We are implementing all process changes recommended by these leading agencies. Our staff is trained to recognize symptoms of COVID-19 so additional safety measures will be taken immediately if there is potential exposure.
Coronaviruses are enveloped viruses, meaning they are one of the easiest types of viruses to kill with the appropriate disinfectant product. The Environmental Protection Agency has developed a list of registered surface disinfect products for use against SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Our disinfection process utilizes products on this list.
With an abundance of caution, we have established additional, temporary protocols in our offices by:
- Monitoring the number of people in our office in order to enable appropriate social distancing
- Asking families to bring only scheduled patients and 1 parent/guardian
- Asking patients to arrive on time for their appointment and no more than 15 minutes before a scheduled appointment
- Requiring everyone to sanitize their hands when entering and leaving our office -we will supply the appropriate sanitizer
- Asking you to stay home and call to reschedule if:
- You meet the CDC criteria for home isolation: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
- Have flu-like symptoms including:
– fever
– chills
– cough
– shortness of breath
– muscle aches and/or
– gastrointestinal symptoms - You or your child is ill (unless it is an emergency appointment)
- You or a family member has been diagnosed with, or are in the testing phase of diagnosis of COVID-19
- You are 60 yrs or older
- Are immune-compromised
- Have chronic conditions such as
– Diabetes type 1
– COPD
– Heart disease
– Lung disease
We are confident we can and will be able to care for your children’s dental needs in a safe and effective manner and rest assured we will make adjustments as the situation dictates and as directed by authorities. We look forward to keeping our patients and their families happy and healthy!
If you’ve ever visited Kids Mile High, you might recognize Dr. Justin Owens as your fun, friendly Thornton orthodontist. As an expert in creating beautiful smiles for kids, he can even get your little ones excited about going to the orthodontist. Dr. Owens believes a good orthodontist is an orthodontist you can trust — so read on to learn more about him and why he got into the business of little smiles.
1.Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Denver, Colorado.
2. Why did you become an orthodontist?
A person’s smile is one of the first things you notice about them. Making a first impression with a beautiful smile can be very powerful, and I love helping people achieve their dream smile.
3. What is the best vacation you’ve ever taken?
Exploring Thailand…and eating Thai food!
4. Who is your role model?
I’ve always looked up to my mom and dad.
5. What’s your favorite thing about coming to work at Kids Mile High every day?
I love hearing about what our patients are into at the moment, whether it’s a video game, movie, sports or music.
6. Did you have a nickname as a kid?
Everyone used to call me Hawk.
7. What’s your favorite movie?
Star Wars, all the way!
8. What was the most challenging part of orthodontic education?
While I was in school, I was working seven days a week while trying to help raise a family at the same time. That was hard!
9. What’s your hidden talent?
Umm…I’m a good whistler?
10. Did you like going to the orthodontist as a kid?
I loved it! (Weird, I know.)
11. What’s the next thing on your bucket list?
I want to travel more. Hawaii is probably next.
12. What is something your patients would be surprised to learn about you?
I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in 2002.
13. Which sports team do you root for?
Broncos, Rockies, Nuggets, Avalanche…I love them all equally.
14. What do you think makes you different from other orthodontists?
As an orthodontist, it’s my job to look at people’s teeth to see how I can improve them. I try to put myself in my patients’ shoes to make the experience as fun and enjoyable as possible.
15. If you could have a superpower what would it be?
Definitely flying.
16. If you had a time machine, which era would be your first stop?
I’d go straight to ancient Egypt.
17. What’s your spirit animal?
Eagle…so I could fly!
18. What’s the best advice you can give parents about caring for their kids’ teeth?
Find a dentist you trust. Find a dentist your child trusts. Then see this dentist regularly.
19. What is your favorite food?
I’m a huge sushi fan.
20. What is your favorite holiday?
I love Christmas.
Want to meet Dr. Owens in real life and find out if he’s the right orthodontist for your little ones? Book an appointment today!
About Our Doctors
Dr. Paddy, Dr. Roger, Dr. Meredith and Dr. Scheer are on a mission to give your child the absolute best dental and orthodontic care using the most up-to-date techniques and modern equipment. Read more