Pediatric Dentistry

PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY IN ONTARIO

Specialized Care by a Certified Pediatric Dentist

At Dental Specialty Group, we provide expert dental care tailored just for kids—led by our certified pediatric dentist, Dr. Katherine Zettle. With advanced training in children’s oral health and behavior management, we’re equipped to care for infants, children, and teens in a supportive, welcoming environment.

Whether your child needs a consultation, treatment under sedation, or urgent dental care, we’re here to ensure they receive gentle, expert attention every step of the way. We work closely with referring dentists and parents to provide both comprehensive and specific treatments with a focus on comfort, safety, and long-term wellness.

Dental Specialty Group North Toronto North York Kitchener Periodontal

PEDIATRIC DENTAL SERVICES WE OFFER

• Comprehensive Dental Treatment

We provide complete pediatric dental care—from checkups to restorative procedures—tailored to your child’s age, dental development, and individual needs.

• Pediatric Consultations

Have concerns about your child’s teeth, bite, or habits like thumb sucking? We offer in-depth consultations to assess development and recommend personalized care plans.

• Emergency Dental Treatment

Accidents happen—when they do, we’re ready. From dental trauma to severe toothaches, we offer prompt emergency treatment to relieve pain and prevent complications.

• Specific Dental Procedures

Some patients are referred for a particular need, such as treating cavities, removing a tooth, or addressing spacing concerns. We’ll carry out the treatment with precision and care, then follow up to ensure healing.

• Sedation Dentistry (Nitrous Oxide)

For nervous or young children, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) can help reduce anxiety and make treatment smoother and more comfortable.

• General Anesthesia

For more complex cases or children who require extensive work and cannot tolerate treatment in a traditional setting, we offer general anesthesia in a safe, controlled environment. If general anesthesia is recommended, we’ll walk you through the process and answer any questions you have.

• Pediatric Radiographs (X-Rays)

We accept radiographs in the following ways:

Sent via email
Sent with the patient
Taken in our office if needed

We use digital X-ray technology to reduce radiation exposure while capturing clear, high-quality images that support accurate diagnosis and treatment.

REFERRING DENTISTS

We welcome referrals from general and family dentists for pediatric consultations, treatment planning, or care under sedation or general anesthesia. Please include any relevant X-rays or treatment notes when referring your patient.

READY TO BOOK YOUR CHILD’S FIRST VISIT?

Let your child receive care from a trusted specialist. Our pediatric dentist is dedicated to creating positive dental experiences for kids—and peace of mind for parents.

No referral necessary for general consultations. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When should my child see a pediatric dentist?

We recommend a child’s first dental visit by their first birthday or within six months of the first tooth erupting. This allows us to monitor development and guide parents on at-home care.

What’s the difference between a pediatric dentist and a general dentist?

A pediatric dentist (pedodontist) has additional years of specialized training to treat the unique needs of children, including behavior management, dental growth, and treatment under sedation or anesthesia.

Is nitrous oxide safe for kids?

Yes! Nitrous oxide is a mild sedative commonly used in pediatric dentistry to help reduce anxiety. It is safe, fast-acting, and wears off quickly after the appointment.

When is general anesthesia recommended?

General anesthesia may be recommended for children who need extensive treatment, are very young, or are unable to tolerate treatment while awake. It allows us to complete all necessary procedures in one visit while the child is asleep and comfortable.

Do you accept X-rays from other clinics?

Yes. We can receive radiographs by email, with the patient, or we can take them in-office if new imaging is required.

Do I need a referral to see your pediatric dentist?

Referrals are helpful but not always required. We’re happy to see new patients directly for consultations or treatment planning—just give us a call.

Other Services

Dental Extraction Our Services Dental Specialty Group Toronto North York Dentist

Oral Surgery

Excessive tooth decay, tooth infection, and crowding can all require a tooth extraction.

Periodontics

Gum diseases that affect the periodontal structures of your teeth are a common problem.

Endodontics

Endodontic surgery can be used to locate fractures or hidden canals that do not appear on x-rays but still manifest pain in the tooth.

Pediatric Dentistry

We provide expert dental care tailored just for kids—led by our certified pediatric dentist.

Anesthesia

Sedation dentistry helps you feel calm, relaxed and at ease during dental procedures.

Dr. John Gay graduated with a B.A.Sc. In Mechanical Engineering in 1972 from the University of Toronto and further pursued his degree as a Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1977 and was awarded the Albert E. Webster Memorial Scholarship for Operative Dentistry.

Dr. Gay completed an internship at St Michael’s Hospital in 1978 and completed his diploma in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery & Anesthesia at the University of Toronto in 1981.

Dr Gay was a former director of Oral Surgery at St Michael’s Hospital and a former Chief of Surgery at Doctors Hospital. As such he was actively involved with undergraduate and post-graduate Dental Internship training as well as Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery programs. Dr. Gay was also part of the faculty at the University of Toronto within the Implant Research Group.

Dr. Alfred Chu graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1976 from Loyola University of Los Angles. He later graduated from the Washington University School of Dentistry in 1979 as a Doctor of Dental Medicine.

Dr. Chu completed his residency at the UCLA Hospital with a diploma in Hospital Dentistry in 1981. Discovering a passion for oral surgery, he continued his training with a diploma in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery with a residency at the University of Toronto in 1984.

Through his extensive educational background, Dr. Chu earned many awards of Excellence including the Highest Scholarship Average in Dentistry and Outstanding Performance in Oral Surgery.

In his spare time, Dr. Chu enjoys spending time with his wife and three grown children, traveling and discovering new and special places to visit around the world and enjoying different food experiences.

Dr. Garry Toor received his Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Certificate from the University of Toronto in 2016. Prior to his residency, Dr. Toor completed his undergraduate dental training at the University of Toronto followed by a 1-year internship at the Health Science Center in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 2011. Since graduation, Dr. Toor has been working in private practice as well as at Hamilton General Hospital and McMaster Children’s Hospital where he teaches surgical residents in training. Dr. Toor has extensive background in immediate implants and believes in providing his patients with teeth in a day.

Prior to pursuing a career in health care, Dr. Toor played hockey in the Western Hockey League followed by professional hockey in Europe. (Warning, consultations may run longer if Dr. Toor starts talking about hockey). Outside of work, Dr. Toor enjoys playing hockey, coaching kids’ hockey, attempting golf and above all spending time with his lovely wife and chasing after their two kids.