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DENTISTS IN DALLASBEST

14 4 M O N T H 2013 / DMAGAZINE.COM

LISA

MEA

NS

Highland Park Dental 6725 Hillcrest Avenue, Suite B

Dallas, Texas 75205

214.521.3730

hpdentist.com

Erik Harrington, D.D.S.Pediatric Dentistry

Dr. Erik Harrington learned early as a dental student during a clinical rotation at Texas Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital that he wanted to become a pediatric dentist. He recalls looking into the terrified eyes of a medically compromised, nonverbal patient and realized that no matter the age, all patients deserved a caring and trustworthy dentist. “I supported her with caring words and holding her as still as possible for the resident,” Dr. Harrington recalls. “It was so rewarding to see her calm down and trust the environment. I still keep this in mind for all of my young patients.”

Although Dr. Harrington’s experience with this particu-lar patient was an exception, he still realizes most patients are orally defensive by nature. For children with little to no prior experience with a dentist, the experience is even more challenging. “Pediatric dentistry must be about much more than whether or not the child has cavities,” he says. “I must consider the child’s age, disposition, preferences in treatment options, and–most importantly–goals for the parents and child. No two patients or their parents are alike. Therefore, no two plans of care should be the same.”

Dr. Harrington, board certified in pediatric dentistry with privileges at five area hospitals, was one of six stu-dents in the nation federally awarded a $160,000 fellow-ship to attend Baylor Dental School, where he completed craniofacial research resulting in a combined Ph.D. and D.D.S. degree.

Dr. Harrington has been practicing at his boutique, con-cierge-style Snider Plaza location near SMU since 2004. With a commitment to high-quality vs. high-volume, happy families with healthy smiles appreciate how Dr. Harrington and his staff make sure they are treated individually and uniquely based on their own needs and preferences. He shares his office (complete with four waiting rooms) with a general dentist so the entire family can be treated in one “trip to the dentist.”

Dr. Harrington is on the medical executive committee for Baylor Our Children’s House Hospital and has been in-vited to lecture at Baylor College of Dentistry and for the Graduate Pediatric Dental Residents. He and his wife, Amy, have three children William, Rider, and Shepard.

E D u c a t i o nD.D.S., Ph.D., Residency, Baylor Dental School; Fellowships, Scottish Rite Hospital, Children’s Medical Center