Accepting New Patients at Mini Miners Pediatric Dentistry

Mini Miners Pediatric Dentistry is accepting new patients from Westminster, CO and the surrounding northwest Denver metro communities. Led by Dr. Alison Grover, a Board-Certified Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry with advanced training from UCLA, our family-owned practice in nearby Erie specializes exclusively in children's dental care from the first tooth through adolescence.

Westminster families reach us in about 20 minutes.

Whether your child is six months old or starting high school, every new patient relationship at Mini Miners begins the same way: with preparation that sets your child up for a positive experience.

How to Book Your Child's First Appointment

Scheduling your child's first appointment with a pediatric dentist in Westminster, CO takes one phone call or text message. Our team at Mini Miners will walk you through everything and confirm your insurance before you arrive so there are no surprises on the day of the visit.

Call us at (303) 500-3202 or text (720) 734-5890 to get started. When you call, our team will ask for your child's name, date of birth, and insurance information. We verify benefits before the appointment so you know what your plan covers.

A tip from parents who have been through it: book during a time when your child is typically well-rested. Morning appointments tend to work best for younger children. If you have multiple kids, let us know when you call and we'll coordinate scheduling for your whole family.

New Patient Forms and Insurance

Child at pediatric dentist with mother nearby

Mini Miners Pediatric Dentistry offers new patient forms in both English and Spanish, and we recommend completing them before your child's first visit so more of the appointment time goes to your child.

After you book your appointment, you can download and fill out our new patient forms ahead of time. Completing forms before arrival means less time in the waiting room and more time for your child to explore our office and get comfortable.

We accept most major dental insurance plans. Our insurance team will verify your child's benefits before the visit and walk you through your coverage. For families without dental insurance, we offer an in-house membership plan that covers preventive care and gives you access to our full range of pediatric services. Visit our Billing and Insurance page for details, or ask when you call to book.

The best thing you can do before your child's first dental visit is keep the conversation simple and positive. Children pick up on how their parents talk about the dentist, and a calm, upbeat approach makes a real difference.

Tell your child that Dr. Grover is going to count their teeth, take pictures of their smile, and make their teeth sparkly clean. Avoid words like "hurt," "pain," "shot," "drill," or "I don't like going to the dentist." Our team uses child-friendly language throughout every visit, and it helps when parents use the same approach at home. You can also show your child our Office Photo Tour before the visit so the office feels familiar when they walk in.

Here's what experienced Mini Miners parents recommend:

Schedule when your child is well-rested (mornings work best for little ones)
Complete new patient forms before arrival
Bring any questions about your child's dental health
Plan to join your child in the treatment room
Allow extra time for your child to play on the slide and arcade games before the appointment

If your child is particularly nervous, ask about scheduling a Happy Visit first.

Preparing Your Child for Their First Dental Visit

What Happens at Your Child's First Visit

Your child's first visit to Mini Miners Pediatric Dentistry is designed to build comfort and trust. What happens during the appointment depends on your child's age, but every first visit starts the same way: your child gets to explore our office and have fun before anything clinical begins.

When you arrive, your child can play on the slide in the waiting area, try the arcade games, and follow the hand-painted train tracks on the floor. Dr. Grover and her husband Logan designed every detail of this office specifically to help children feel at home.

For babies and toddlers (under age 4):

The visit typically lasts about 30 minutes. Dr. Grover gently examines your child's teeth, gums, bite, and jaw development. For very young children, we use a "knee-to-knee" position where your child sits on your lap. We'll clean their teeth, apply fluoride, and talk with you about brushing, feeding habits, and diet. We do not typically take x-rays for children under four unless there is a specific concern.

For school-age children (age 4 and older):

Plan for about an hour. Dr. Grover performs a comprehensive exam, professional cleaning, and fluoride treatment. If your child is due for x-rays (recommended once per year for kids four and older), we may take them at this visit as long as your child is comfortable and cooperative. Digital x-rays use very low radiation and are safe for all ages.

Every first visit ends with time for your questions, a discussion about home care, and a prize from our treasure chest.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends scheduling your child's first dental visit by age one or within six months of the first tooth erupting. If your baby doesn't have dental insurance yet, call us anyway and we'll help.

Happy Visits for Anxious Children and Kids with Special Needs

Mini Miners Pediatric Dentistry offers Happy Visits as a structured, no-treatment introduction to our office for children who need extra time to feel comfortable. Happy Visits are specifically designed for kids with dental anxiety, children with special needs, or any child visiting a dentist for the first time who might benefit from a low-pressure introduction.

A Happy Visit is not a dental appointment. There is no exam, no cleaning, no x-rays, and no pressure.

Here's what happens instead:

You and your child explore the waiting room at your own pace, play on the slide, try the games, and look around. When they're ready, we walk them through the office to see the treatment rooms, meet the team, and sit in the dental chair if they choose. The visit ends with a prize.

Happy Visits are especially helpful for children with autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing differences, developmental delays, and other conditions where unfamiliar environments can trigger distress. Dr. Grover has extensive experience adapting care for children with special needs and will create an individualized approach for your child.

To schedule a Happy Visit, mention it when you call to book your appointment with our pediatric dentist in Westminster, CO. There is no obligation to schedule a dental appointment at the same time.

How Often Should Kids and Babies Visit the Dentist

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children visit the dentist every six months starting from their first visit. Babies should come in within the first six months after their first tooth erupts or by age one, whichever comes first.

Why every six months? Decay on baby teeth can form in as little as six months. Regular visits let Dr. Grover catch cavities early, apply preventive treatments like fluoride and sealants, and monitor your child's dental development over time.

Our goal is to make Mini Miners your child's dental home. As your pediatric dentist in Westminster, CO, we want your family to feel comfortable visiting every six months, for any needed dental work, and whenever dental emergencies happen. Westminster families who make the drive to Erie tell us the consistency of seeing the same dentist every visit builds a relationship that makes everything easier as their child grows.

Parents Are Always Welcome in the Treatment Room

At Mini Miners Pediatric Dentistry, parents are not just allowed in the treatment room. They are welcomed. Finding a pediatric dentist in Westminster, CO that invites parents to stay during treatment is not as common as you'd think, but we believe dental care works best as a partnership between Dr. Grover, your child, and you.

While you're always welcome to wait outside if you prefer, most parents choose to stay, and we've found that kids do better when a familiar face is close by. Your presence also means you hear everything Dr. Grover discusses about your child's dental health and can ask questions in real time.

For families with multiple children, we coordinate so siblings are seen efficiently. Younger kids take turns in the same treatment room while older children go into separate rooms and can be seen at the same time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will my child's first appointment be?

It depends on your child's age. For children under four years old, the first visit typically lasts about 30 minutes. For children four and older, plan for about an hour since we'll likely take x-rays and perform a more comprehensive exam. If your child is nervous or needs extra time to warm up, we never rush them. We move at your child's pace regardless of what the schedule says.

Which dentist will my child see?

Your child will see Dr. Alison Grover, a Board-Certified Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Grover earned her DDS from the University of Colorado and completed her pediatric dental residency at UCLA. She founded Mini Miners Pediatric Dentistry in 2017 with her husband Logan and personally sees every patient. Let us know if you have questions about Dr. Grover's background when you call to book.

How should I talk to my child about their first dental visit?

Keep it simple and positive. Tell your child the dentist will count their teeth, take pictures, and clean their smile. Avoid words like "hurt," "pain," "shot," or "drill." Don't share negative feelings about your own dental experiences. Our team is trained to use child-friendly language that builds excitement rather than anxiety. You can also prepare your child by showing them our Office Photo Tour online before the visit.

Can you see multiple children at the same appointment?

Yes. For younger children, we typically have siblings take turns in the same treatment room. For older kids, each child goes into a separate room and they can be seen at the same time for efficient scheduling. Let our team know how many children you're bringing when you book so we can coordinate timing and make the visit as smooth as possible for your family.

Will my child get x-rays at their first visit?

We do not typically take x-rays for children under four years old. For kids four and older, dental x-rays are generally recommended once per year to check for cavities between teeth and monitor development. If your child is due, we may take x-rays at the first visit as long as they are comfortable and cooperative. Modern digital x-rays use very low radiation levels and are safe for children of all ages.

What is a Happy Visit at Mini Miners?

A Happy Visit is a short, no-treatment appointment where your child visits Mini Miners Pediatric Dentistry just to get comfortable with the office. Your child can play on the slide, explore the treatment rooms, meet the team, and sit in the dental chair without any exam, cleaning, or procedures. Happy Visits are designed for children with dental anxiety, kids with special needs, or any first-time patient who might feel nervous. Ask about scheduling one when you call to book.

Do you accept dental insurance for children?

Yes. Mini Miners Pediatric Dentistry accepts most major dental insurance plans. Our insurance team verifies your child's benefits before the appointment and explains your coverage so you know what to expect. For families without dental insurance, we offer an in-house membership plan that includes preventive care and access to all of our pediatric services. Call (303) 500-3202 and we'll check your specific plan.