Business Details
9 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Child's Trusted Dental Partner in Appleton, WI
At Little Critter Pediatric Dentistry, we specialize in creating a welcoming and engaging environment for children's dental care. Founded by Dr. Michaella 'Keta' Heitzler, a board-certified pediatric dentist with specialized training in complex cases, our practice combines clinical expertise with a deep understanding of children's needs. Our team prioritizes preventive care while offering advanced restorative treatments, utilizing cutting-edge technology like digital radiography to minimize radiation exposure. We emphasize education for both parents and children, fostering lifelong oral health habits through personalized guidance.Our office features a playful atmosphere with interactive elements like our resident therapy bunny, Gus Gus, to ease anxiety. With experience in treating medically complex and behaviorally challenging patients, we ensure every child receives compassionate, individualized care. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our use of modern sedation techniques, including nitrous oxide and IV sedation, for patient comfort. We maintain rigorous safety protocols and stay current with continuing education to provide the highest standard of pediatric dental care in a setting where families feel valued and informed.
Services
Infant Care
Preventive Care
Restorative Care
Emergency Care
Digital X-rays
Nitrous Sedation
Details
- Year established: 2017
Highlights and features
- Board-certified pediatric dentist with specialty training in complex cases
- Kid-friendly environment with interactive anxiety-reducing elements
- Advanced digital radiography with 80% less radiation exposure
- Nitrous oxide and IV sedation available for patient comfort
- Personalized preventive care education for families
Associations and certifications
- American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
What people say
Patient and kind
Fun for kids
Excellent care
Calming manner
Enjoyable experience
Services
Infant Care
Our infant dental care focuses on early prevention of tooth decay through parental education and proper oral hygiene guidance. We provide comprehensive examinations for developing teeth, dietary counseling to prevent baby bottle tooth decay, and early intervention strategies. Our team offers gentle cleaning and fluoride application while creating positive associations with dental visits through playful, child-friendly techniques.
Preventive Care
We emphasize proactive dental maintenance through regular six-month checkups, professional cleanings, and personalized home care instruction. Our preventive services include dental sealants to protect molars, fluoride treatments to strengthen enamel, and digital X-rays for early cavity detection. We educate families on proper brushing techniques and dietary habits to maintain optimal oral health.
Restorative Care
Our restorative dentistry addresses dental decay with tooth-colored fillings, stainless steel crowns for severely damaged teeth, and nerve treatments for infected pulp. We utilize gentle techniques and behavior management strategies to ensure comfortable treatment experiences. Post-operative care instructions are provided with follow-up monitoring to ensure proper healing and long-term dental health.
Emergency Care
We provide urgent dental care for knocked-out teeth, chipped/broken teeth, severe toothaches, and dental trauma. Our team offers immediate phone consultation and same-day appointments when needed. Treatment includes reimplantation procedures, pain management, and infection control while maintaining a calming environment for anxious children during emergency situations.
Digital X-rays
Our digital radiography system provides high-resolution images with 80% less radiation than traditional X-rays. This technology enables early detection of cavities between teeth, monitoring of tooth development, and assessment of jaw growth patterns. Images appear instantly on computer screens for immediate analysis and patient education about their dental health needs.
People
Michaella 'Keta' Heitzler
Pediatric Dentist
Board-certified pediatric dentist with specialty training in medically complex cases. Graduated magna cum laude from Marquette University and earned clinical honors at University of Pennsylvania dental school. Completed pediatric residency at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. Combines clinical expertise with personal parenting experience to create child-centered dental experiences.
Questions
When should my child's first dental visit occur?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends the first visit by age 1 or within 6 months of the first tooth erupting.
How do you handle dental emergencies after hours?
Dr. Keta is available on-call for dental emergencies. For severe injuries, call 911 or visit the nearest ER while contacting our office for follow-up care.
What sedation options are available for anxious children?
We offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for mild sedation and coordinate IV sedation with pediatric anesthesiologists for complex procedures in-office.
How do you make dental visits positive experiences for children?
Our playful office environment, interactive distractions like ceiling TVs, and gentle behavior management techniques create fun, stress-free dental experiences for kids.
What technology do you use for diagnostic imaging?
We use digital radiography that emits 80% less radiation than traditional X-rays, providing instant high-quality images for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
