Feb 01, 2022
Together, Dr. Cheryl Engineer and Dr. Raj Bhatt own the practice, with its characteristic smiley sunflower logo and intentionally warm aesthetic. The husband-and-wife practitioners worked separately in other local Kern County offices before forming their partnership. In addition to graduating from the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, Dr. Engineer also holds a master’s degree in public health from Florida International University, where she specialized in epidemiology. Her experience in community health continues to influence the couple’s decidedly different approach.
“Community dentistry is my passion. I have always liked working with kids and felt a sense of responsibility since they’re the future of the nation,” said Dr. Engineer. “My husband and I really have the personality to go with kids. We have very patient, easygoing personalities, which separates us from the other providers we have seen.”
Dr. Bhatt, who prefers to be known as “Dr. Raj,” is a graduate of the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry at San Francisco’s University of the Pacific. He served for more than three years on the California Dental Association’s Board of Managers, which helps coordinate continuing education and collaborative opportunities for dentists. Like his wife, Dr. Raj sees the potential for changing a generation’s outlook on dental visits one patient at a time through gentle dentistry.
“The behavior management aspect is a challenge for us, to turn a patient into a very happy patient by making them feel safe in our kid-friendly environment,” said Dr. Raj. “We don’t just want to fix your teeth and fix your cavities. We want you to stop getting them. We want to be the best dentist office that provides for care, prevention, and knowledge.”
Detailed explanations of at-home care, the daily maintenance routines learned in early childhood, are an integral part of the practice, with a clear focus on forming good habits. A common misperception dentists see, for example, is that baby teeth do not require care since they will soon be replaced by adult teeth. Pain, abscesses and the need for more intervention are problematic issues, Dr. Engineer explained, but the lack of care can also impact personal care habits and affect permanent teeth.
“Oral hygiene instructions, why and how to brush their teeth, are what we love to teach,” said Dr. Engineer. “We choose employees who are super nice and sweet to them.” Their staff of five includes hygienists who share the philosophy of a kind approach, with the societal impact of teaching children to care for themselves properly from the very beginning.
The cozy, comfortable My Kids Happy Teeth office includes toys, stickers, and balloons, specially-selected toothbrushes in animal shapes and intentional design for a fun experience. Each exam area includes a book the doctors created together that details what to expect. Unlike some other dental practices, parents are encouraged to accompany their children rather than sit in the waiting room, if preferred.
My Kids Happy Teeth is currently accepting new patients ages 1 to 21. The practice accepts most PPOs and Medi-Cal. Find more information at https://www.mykidshappyteeth.com/ and check out the office’s Instagram profile @mykidshappyteeth.
