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Riverbend Family Dental - Meridian

Pediatric Treatment & Education in Meridian

Providing expert dental care for children from infancy through their teenage years. As a trusted dentist in Boise, Idaho, we’re here to support your child’s oral health every step of the way.
Call 986-256-3244

The Difference Pediatric Dentistry Makes

Our goal is to create positive dental experiences for children, helping them build healthy habits that last a lifetime. We focus on kid-friendly care that fosters a strong relationship between the dental team and young patients, empowering them to take charge of their own oral health.

From the first appointment to routine cleanings and every milestone in between, we support your child as they grow from discovering new teeth to losing baby teeth, getting fillings, or starting orthodontic care. We make dental visits something kids look forward to.

Why Is Children’s Dental Care So Important?

Even though baby teeth eventually fall out, their health plays a crucial role in your child’s development. Starting with healthy primary teeth sets the stage for adult teeth, and maintaining dental health from the start prevents long-term problems.

Poor Dental Health Hurts

Children are just as vulnerable to tooth decay, sensitivity, and gum disease as adults. If you notice your child avoiding hot or cold foods, or chewing on one side, they may be trying to cope with dental pain.

Baby Teeth Set the Stage for Adult Teeth

Healthy baby teeth guide the proper alignment of adult teeth. Early tooth loss or premature extraction can lead to crowding or misalignment of adult teeth. Keeping baby teeth healthy ensures the best start for adult teeth.

The Cornerstone of Confidence

A healthy set of teeth is essential for speech, smiling, and forming social skills. Dental pain or sensitivity can impact your child’s ability to express themselves and affect their confidence in social settings.

Good Eating Habits for Growing Bodies

Dental pain can lead children to avoid certain foods, creating unhealthy eating habits. This can affect their nutrition and make mealtime more difficult, especially for picky eaters.

Your Child’s First Appointment

Our top priority is your child’s health, comfort, and satisfaction. In pediatric dentistry, we tailor our approach to meet the unique needs of young patients, ensuring a positive experience and focusing on oral health milestones.

Show and Tell

Every child reacts differently some are curious and full of questions, while others may feel anxious. We take the time to explain what we’ll be doing in a kid-friendly way, starting each visit with a conversation to address any concerns and make them feel safe and engaged.

Gentle Examination

We pay special attention to your child’s gums, teeth, and overall oral health, watching for signs of tooth development and any areas needing extra care. Our exam helps us identify potential issues early so we can guide you on how to address them.

Keeping You in the Loop

After the exam, we’ll provide helpful tips for both the child and parent, including brushing advice for hard-to-reach spots. We’ll keep you informed on any areas that need extra attention and let you know what to look out for until the next visit.

Contact us today

to schedule an initial consultation & exam.

Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pediatric dentistry focuses on the dental care of children, from infancy to their teen years. Pediatric dentists are trained to handle the unique changes children’s mouths undergo as they grow into adulthood.

It’s recommended to take your child to the dentist by age 1 or within 6 months of their first tooth. Early visits help ensure healthy dental development. If you notice signs of discomfort or pain, schedule an appointment as soon as possible.

Pediatric dentists care for patients from 6 months to 18 years old. Once your child reaches adulthood, they transition to a general dentist for ongoing care.

Just like adults, toddlers should see the dentist every 6 months for checkups and cleanings. Some children may need visits more frequently based on individual health needs, so don’t wait longer than a year between appointments. If your child experiences discomfort, schedule an appointment right away.

If your child experiences a dental emergency, such as a knocked-out tooth or severe pain, contact us immediately. We’ll provide guidance on how to manage the situation and schedule an urgent appointment to assess and treat the issue.

Encourage your child to brush their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss regularly, and visit the dentist for routine checkups. Be a role model by practicing good oral hygiene yourself, and make dental care a fun part of their daily routine.

Google Verified Patient Reviews

Chelsie McDaniel
2 months ago
Riverbend Family Dental deserves 10 stars (at least) not just 5! Yesterday was my first appointment at Riverbend Family Dental with Dr. Nathan Eames and I will never go anywhere else for my dental needs ever again! I have Medicaid for my health/dental insurance and every dental office I called (and was begging to get seen due to some serious concerns I have with my teeth) I was told they don’t except Medicaid or because I have Medicaid, it was going to be months and months before I could get seen - Until I called Riverbend Family Dental who got me in and cared for within 2 days! I’m from Oregon (and have lived in Idaho now for 6 months) and in Oregon I was regularly judged, I felt unaccepted and unsupported, and was treated very poorly and uncomfortably to where I never wanted to go back to the dentist - I’m SO grateful Dr. Eames at Riverbend Family Dental is the exact opposite and truly is the best, most understanding and non-judgmental dentist I have ever been to! They got me in 6 days later to do 1 1/2 hours of dental work on me, and Dr. Eames truly listened to my biggest concerns and is going to help fix those first for me! The owner/dentist and all staff at Riverbend Family Dental are all absolutely AMAZING, kind, caring, and the best dental office I have ever been to! I love them and I love my new dentist!
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Meagan Steffen
2 months ago
Super friendly, got my daughter in for a root canal same day they said she needed it. The whole process was pleasant, everyone we encountered was friendly and accommodating. Would recommend
More
Alex
3 months ago
Great office and staff! Everyone is friendly! Jazmin the Hygienist is very thorough and the Dr and Assistants do a great job explaining everything. Front desk is always professional and welcoming. Highly reccommend!
More
Janelle Rivera
4 months ago
I’ve been a patient here for about a year and have truly loved every bit of my experience. Maddie, the hygienist I've seen twice, is absolutely wonderful—thorough, gentle, and always so friendly, which makes every visit comfortable and stress-free. Dr. Nate is fantastic as well; he’s knowledgeable, kind, personable, and takes the time to explain everything clearly, which I really appreciate. The entire staff is welcoming, the office is clean and modern, and appointments always run smoothly. I’m so grateful to have found a dental office I actually enjoy going to. Highly recommend!
More
Lucinda
5 months ago
My first visit to Riverbend Family Dental was simply amazing! From the moment I walked in, the staff made me feel welcomed and completely at ease. Everyone was super friendly, patient, and professional. A special shoutout to my dental hygienist, Jasmine — she did an incredible job! She was extremely kind, very thorough, and took the time to explain everything in a way that was easy to understand. Her professionalism and gentle approach truly made my visit exceptional. I’m so glad I chose Riverbend Family Dental, and I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a caring and top-notch dental office. I’m definitely looking forward to my next appointment!
More
Chelsie McDaniel
2 months ago
Riverbend Family Dental deserves 10 stars (at least) not just 5! Yesterday was my first appointment at Riverbend Family Dental with Dr. Nathan Eames and I will never go anywhere else for my dental needs ever again! I have Medicaid for my health/dental insurance and every dental office I called (and was begging to get seen due to some serious concerns I have with my teeth) I was told they don’t except Medicaid or because I have Medicaid, it was going to be months and months before I could get seen - Until I called Riverbend Family Dental who got me in and cared for within 2 days! I’m from Oregon (and have lived in Idaho now for 6 months) and in Oregon I was regularly judged, I felt unaccepted and unsupported, and was treated very poorly and uncomfortably to where I never wanted to go back to the dentist - I’m SO grateful Dr. Eames at Riverbend Family Dental is the exact opposite and truly is the best, most understanding and non-judgmental dentist I have ever been to! They got me in 6 days later to do 1 1/2 hours of dental work on me, and Dr. Eames truly listened to my biggest concerns and is going to help fix those first for me! The owner/dentist and all staff at Riverbend Family Dental are all absolutely AMAZING, kind, caring, and the best dental office I have ever been to! I love them and I love my new dentist!
More
Meagan Steffen
2 months ago
Super friendly, got my daughter in for a root canal same day they said she needed it. The whole process was pleasant, everyone we encountered was friendly and accommodating. Would recommend
More
Alex
3 months ago
Great office and staff! Everyone is friendly! Jazmin the Hygienist is very thorough and the Dr and Assistants do a great job explaining everything. Front desk is always professional and welcoming. Highly reccommend!
More
Janelle Rivera
4 months ago
I’ve been a patient here for about a year and have truly loved every bit of my experience. Maddie, the hygienist I've seen twice, is absolutely wonderful—thorough, gentle, and always so friendly, which makes every visit comfortable and stress-free. Dr. Nate is fantastic as well; he’s knowledgeable, kind, personable, and takes the time to explain everything clearly, which I really appreciate. The entire staff is welcoming, the office is clean and modern, and appointments always run smoothly. I’m so grateful to have found a dental office I actually enjoy going to. Highly recommend!
More
Lucinda
5 months ago
My first visit to Riverbend Family Dental was simply amazing! From the moment I walked in, the staff made me feel welcomed and completely at ease. Everyone was super friendly, patient, and professional. A special shoutout to my dental hygienist, Jasmine — she did an incredible job! She was extremely kind, very thorough, and took the time to explain everything in a way that was easy to understand. Her professionalism and gentle approach truly made my visit exceptional. I’m so glad I chose Riverbend Family Dental, and I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a caring and top-notch dental office. I’m definitely looking forward to my next appointment!
More

Booking an Appointment is Easy!

Simply call us or book an appointment in 3 easy steps:

1

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Tell us a little about your dental needs
2

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Our team will reach out to answer your questions and finalize the details.
3

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Call 986-256-3244