At Comfort Dental Kids in Thornton, creating positive dental experiences for young patients isn’t just a goal—it’s the foundation of everything Drs. Yocelin Rios and Bryan Houlberg do. Located at 9650 Washington St, this practice has built its reputation on transforming how children and their families approach dental care, making each visit comfortable and stress-free. Through a patient-centered philosophy that addresses the unique needs of growing smiles, the team helps Thornton families establish healthy dental habits that last a lifetime. Their approach combines gentle techniques with genuine care, ensuring that children leave not just with healthier teeth, but with confidence about their dental visits.
Why We Love Practicing in Thornton
Founded in 1891 and named after Colorado Governor Dan Thornton, the City of Thornton began as a small agricultural community serving the greater Denver area. The city remained relatively rural until the 1950s when suburban development began transforming the landscape. Thornton was officially incorporated in 1956 with just 2,500 residents, marking the beginning of its remarkable growth story. Today, this once-sleepy farming town has evolved into Colorado’s sixth-largest city.
Modern Thornton is home to over 140,000 residents and spans more than 35 square miles in the northern Denver metropolitan area. The city has successfully balanced growth with quality of life, featuring extensive trail systems, numerous parks, and the popular Thornton Town Center. Its strategic location provides easy access to both Denver’s urban amenities and the natural beauty of Colorado’s Front Range.
What truly makes Thornton special is its strong sense of community and commitment to family-friendly living. The city’s diverse population, excellent recreational facilities, and focus on creating welcoming neighborhoods make it an ideal place where families can thrive and build lasting memories together.
Water World near Comfort Dental Kids in Thornton
Did you know that Colorado’s largest water park started as a modest community project funded by a $1.3 million voter-approved bond back in 1979? Water World in Federal Heights opened with just three slides and a wave pool on 13 acres, but it’s grown into a 70-acre aquatic wonderland that’s been ranked the #2 outdoor water park in the entire United States.
Today, you’ll find over 52 attractions spread across this massive facility, including some truly unique experiences you won’t encounter at typical water parks. The Lost River of the Pharaohs takes you on an Egyptian-themed adventure with dramatic story elements and immersive effects, while Voyage to the Center of the Earth features animatronic dinosaurs in underground caverns. These Disney-quality attractions set Water World apart from standard waterslide parks and keep families coming back year after year.
What makes this Federal Heights attraction even more special is that it’s operated by the Hyland Hills Park and Recreation District, meaning all proceeds support local community recreation services. The park’s commitment to reinvestment shows—they’ve continuously expanded from those original 13 acres to the sprawling 70-acre complex it is today. With amenities like free parking, Tube Valet services to carry your rafts uphill, and plenty of picnic areas, Water World makes it easy for families to spend an entire day splashing around.
With a solid 4.4 rating from over 7,400 visitors, Water World remains a summer staple for families throughout the Denver area. Just remember—after all that fun in the sun and maybe a few sugary treats from the concession stands, your kids will need to keep up their dental hygiene routine. That’s where we come in at Comfort Dental Kids in Thornton, just a short drive away!
Meet Their Dentists
At Comfort Dental Kids in Thornton, the team is dedicated to making every child’s dental visit a positive and comfortable experience. Located at 9650 Washington St in Thornton, CO, the practice combines expert pediatric care with a warm, welcoming environment that helps young patients feel at ease.
Dr. Yocelin Rios: Specializing in pediatric dentistry, Dr. Rios is committed to providing expert dental care while creating positive and supportive experiences that help children feel comfortable and confident during their visits.
Dr. Bryan Houlberg: Dr. Houlberg brings his dedication to pediatric dental care to the Comfort Dental Kids team, focusing on delivering quality treatment in a friendly and reassuring environment.
Comprehensive Pediatric Dental Services
Comfort Dental Kids in Thornton provides a complete spectrum of pediatric dental services tailored specifically for children from infancy through their teenage years. Under the expert care of Dr. Joshua Grantham and Dr. Matt Stevens, both specialists with advanced training in pediatric dentistry, the practice creates a welcoming environment where young patients can develop positive relationships with dental care.
The foundation of excellent pediatric dental health begins with preventive care. Professional cleanings utilize kid-friendly techniques to gently remove plaque and tartar buildup, protecting children’s teeth from cavities and gum disease while establishing healthy oral hygiene habits from an early age. During comprehensive dental exams, the specialists carefully monitor each child’s oral development, examining teeth, gums, and jaw alignment with digital X-rays when necessary to identify potential issues before they become serious problems. To provide additional protection against decay, fluoride treatments strengthen tooth enamel and are particularly beneficial for children at higher risk for cavities, with applications recommended during regular visits to keep young smiles healthy and strong.
When preventive measures aren’t enough and cavities do develop, the practice offers restorative treatments designed with children’s comfort in mind. Fillings are performed using gentle techniques and tooth-colored materials that restore affected teeth while maintaining a natural appearance and ensuring long-lasting durability. To protect vulnerable teeth before decay occurs, dental sealants provide a protective barrier on back teeth, preventing food and bacteria from settling into the grooves where cavities commonly form, making them especially important once permanent molars emerge.
For children who need orthodontic intervention, Comfort Dental Kids offers multiple solutions to achieve properly aligned smiles. Traditional braces effectively correct crooked teeth, crowding, and bite problems, with early intervention options available that can make treatment more efficient and successful. For older children and teens seeking a more discreet approach, Reveal Clear Aligners provide an aesthetic alternative using transparent, removable trays that straighten teeth while allowing easier maintenance of oral hygiene throughout the treatment process.
Understanding that some children require extra support during dental procedures, the practice provides specialized care options to ensure every patient receives comfortable treatment. Sedation dentistry is available for children experiencing dental anxiety or those with special needs, with various sedation levels offered based on the child’s age, medical history, and the complexity of the procedure. For young patients with extensive dental needs or special healthcare considerations, hospital dentistry services allow treatment to be performed in a fully equipped hospital setting where comprehensive medical support is readily available.
Why Choose Comfort Dental Kids in Thornton
Choosing Comfort Dental Kids in Thornton means selecting a practice led by pediatric specialists Dr. Joshua Grantham and Dr. Matt Stevens, who bring additional training specifically focused on children’s dental needs. Their expertise ensures that every child receives care from professionals who understand the unique developmental stages from infancy through the teenage years.
The practice creates a welcoming environment with kid-friendly techniques designed to make dental visits comfortable and stress-free. For children with dental anxiety or special needs, multiple sedation options are available, tailored to each child’s age, medical history, and specific procedure requirements. When extensive dental needs arise, hospital dentistry services provide comprehensive care in appropriate settings.
Comfort Dental Kids demonstrates commitment to accessibility by welcoming Medicaid patients and offering discounted membership plans for uninsured families. Convenient scheduling with evening and Saturday appointments accommodates busy family schedules, ensuring that quality pediatric dental care remains within reach for the Thornton community.
But What Are Their Patients Saying?
There’s no better way to learn about Comfort Dental Kids than hearing from the families they serve!
“Very professional was able to get all 4 of my kids in,appointments were for 1:30 and was out by 2:30, and they all were new patients happy to have found this dentist being new to Colorado” – Paris Morgan (5 stars)
“This was a great experience for my 8yo! He needed a filling and a crown on his molar… they offered calming gas to help him before numbing, but they were so gentle that he was calm and watching TV the whole time even without gas! We don’t have dental insurance, but their Gold Plan made everything super affordable (and the plan expense for THE YEAR has already paid for itself!).” – Jennifer Weber (5 stars)
Contact Them Today to Schedule an Appointment!
Dr. Yocelin Rios and Dr. Bryan Houlberg at Comfort Dental Kids in Thornton understand that every child’s dental journey is unique. Their practice focuses on creating positive experiences that help young patients build healthy habits and feel comfortable during every visit. From routine checkups to specialized pediatric care, the team provides comprehensive services designed specifically for children’s growing smiles.
Ready to give your child the dental care they deserve? Visit the practice website or schedule a consultation today. The team at Comfort Dental Kids looks forward to partnering with your family to ensure your child’s oral health thrives for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of sedation dentistry options are available for anxious children at Comfort Dental Kids?
Comfort Dental Kids in Thornton offers sedation dentistry specifically designed for children who experience dental anxiety or have special needs. The practice provides various sedation levels that are carefully selected based on each child’s age, medical history, and the complexity of the procedure they need. This personalized approach ensures that every young patient can receive comfortable dental treatment regardless of their anxiety level. For children with extensive dental needs or special healthcare considerations, the practice also offers hospital dentistry services where treatment can be performed in a fully equipped hospital setting with comprehensive medical support readily available.
How do dental sealants protect my child’s teeth from cavities?
Dental sealants provide a protective barrier on back teeth that prevents food and bacteria from settling into the grooves where cavities commonly form. This preventive treatment is especially important once permanent molars emerge, as these teeth have deep grooves that can be difficult to clean thoroughly with regular brushing. By sealing these vulnerable areas, the treatment helps protect teeth before decay occurs, making it an effective preventive measure alongside regular brushing and flossing. The sealants are applied during regular dental visits as part of the comprehensive pediatric care offered at Comfort Dental Kids.
What makes fluoride treatments important for children’s dental health?
Fluoride treatments strengthen tooth enamel and provide additional protection against decay, making them particularly beneficial for children at higher risk for cavities. These treatments are recommended during regular visits to keep young smiles healthy and strong. The application process is quick and painless, and it works by reinforcing the outer layer of teeth, making them more resistant to acid attacks from bacteria and sugary foods. As part of the comprehensive preventive care approach at Comfort Dental Kids, fluoride treatments complement professional cleanings and good home oral hygiene habits to establish a strong foundation for lifelong dental health.
What orthodontic options does Comfort Dental Kids offer for straightening children’s teeth?
Comfort Dental Kids in Thornton offers multiple orthodontic solutions to achieve properly aligned smiles for children. Traditional braces effectively correct crooked teeth, crowding, and bite problems, with early intervention options available that can make treatment more efficient and successful. For older children and teens who prefer a more discreet approach, the practice provides Reveal Clear Aligners as an aesthetic alternative. These transparent, removable trays straighten teeth while allowing easier maintenance of oral hygiene throughout the treatment process, giving families flexibility in choosing the best option for their child’s needs and lifestyle.
How does Comfort Dental Kids make dental care affordable for families without insurance?
Comfort Dental Kids demonstrates commitment to accessibility by welcoming Medicaid patients and offering discounted membership plans specifically designed for uninsured families. According to patient testimonials, their Gold Plan has proven to be extremely cost-effective, with one parent noting that the annual plan expense paid for itself after just one appointment involving a filling and crown. This approach ensures that quality pediatric dental care remains within reach for all families in the Thornton community, regardless of their insurance status. The practice also offers convenient scheduling with evening and Saturday appointments to accommodate busy family schedules.