Dr. Tra Le, D.D.S. is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Chemistry at the University of the Pacific and her dental degree from UCLA School of Dentistry. Following dental school, she completed a hospital general dentistry residency at UCSF-Fresno University Medical Center. She went on to complete a residency in Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Southern California with additional training at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center exclusively in pediatric hospital dentistry. Dr. Le is currently an Assistant Clinical Professor at the USC School of Dentistry and is a member of the Craniofacial Team at CHOC (Children’s Hospital of Orange County).
Her specialized training helps her provide the extra care for children’s dental needs.
These aspects include:
● Anticipating growth and development issues
● Diagnosing & treating oral diseases and conditions
● Dietary counseling
● Referrals to dental specialists
Dr. Le specializes in working with those children requiring extra special care and attention.
Including those suffering from:
● Physical disabilities
● Autism
● Heart conditions
● Cerebral palsy
● Pediatric cancer
● American Dental Association (ADA)
● California Dental Association (CDA)
● Orange County Dental Society (OCDS)
● American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD)
● California Society of Pediatric Dentistry (CSPD)
● American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD)
● College of Diplomate (COD)
● USC Pediatric Dental Alumni Association
Because of their extensive medical needs, she co-ordinates her work, with that of their physicians, according to their unique needs. She also cares for young children at CHOC, St. Joseph’s and Tustin Medical, where she is on staff.
Dr. Le is currently an Assistant Clinical Professor at the USC School of Dentistry and an attending staff member at Rancho Los Amigos Dental Clinic.
At County USC Hospital, she is a member of the Cleft Palate Team and she participates in the special care of children with cleft palate.
Pediatric dentistry primarily focuses on children from birth through adolescence. The American Dental Association (ADA), recognizes pediatric dentistry as a specialty, and therefore requires dentists to undertake two or three years of additional training after completing a general dentistry degree. At the end of this training, the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry issues a unique diploma (Diplomate ABPD). Some pediatric dentists (pedodontists) opt to specialize in oral care for children with special needs, specifically children with autism, varying levels of mental retardation, or cerebral palsy.
One of the most important components of pediatric dentistry is child psychology. Pediatric dentists are trained to create a friendly, fun, social atmosphere for visiting children, and always avoid threatening words like “drill”, “needle”, and “injection”. Dental phobias beginning in childhood often continue into adulthood, so it is of paramount importance that children have positive experiences and find their “dental home” as early as possible.
Pediatric dentists fulfill many important functions pertaining to the child’s overall oral health and hygiene. They place particular emphasis on the proper maintenance and care of deciduous (baby) teeth, which are instrumental in facilitating good chewing habits, proper speech production, and also hold space for permanent teeth.
Other important functions include:
Education – Pediatric dentists educate the child using models, computer technology, and child-friendly terminology, thus emphasizing the importance of keeping teeth strong and healthy. In addition, they advise parents on disease prevention, trauma prevention, good eating habits, and other aspects of the home hygiene routine.
Monitoring growth – By continuously tracking growth and development, pediatric dentists are able to anticipate dental issues and quickly intervene before they worsen. Also, working towards earlier corrective treatment preserves the child’s self-esteem and fosters a more positive self-image.
Prevention – Helping parents and children establish sound eating and oral care habits reduces the chances of later tooth decay. In addition to providing check ups and dental cleanings, pediatric dentists are also able to apply dental sealants and topical fluoride to young teeth, advise parents on thumb-sucking/pacifier/smoking cessation, and provide good demonstrations of brushing and flossing.
Intervention – In some cases, pediatric dentists may discuss the possibility of early oral treatments with parents. In the case of oral injury, malocclusion (bad bite), or bruxism (grinding), space maintainers may be fitted, a nighttime mouth guard may be recommended, or reconstructive surgery may be scheduled.
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