Colorado Springs North
Office
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3630 Austin Bluffs Pkwy
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719-304-5400
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Welcome to Academy Kids Dental Vision and Orthodontics in Colorado Springs, CO!
Kid's Dentist & Vision Care
Welcome North Colorado Springs Families!
At Academy Kids Dental, Vision & Orthodontics in Colorado Springs, we are dedicated to providing exceptional care for the children in our community. Our team of dentists, orthodontists, and optometrists offer a comprehensive range of services to help ensure your child's good health.
We are conveniently located at 3630 Austin Bluffs Pkwy. in the King Soopers Shopping Center on the Corner of N. Academy & Austin Bluffs Pkwy. Our flexible office hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm. We accept Children's Dental Medicaid, Children's Vision Medicaid, Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+), and most insurances.
Schedule an appointment today and be a hero to your kids.
MULTIPLE SERVICES FOR
ALL YOUR KIDS IN ONE VISIT!
DENTAL
VISION
ORTHODONTICS
OFFICE INFO
3630 Austin Bluffs Pkwy
Colorado Springs,
CO 80918
719-304-5400
- Monday - 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
- Tuesday - 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
- Wednesday - 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
- Thursday - 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
- Friday - 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
- Saturday - Closed
- Sunday - Closed
MEDICAID &
MOST INSURANCES
ACCEPTED
We welcome Children's Medicaid and most insurance plans. Our mission is to expand care access so that every child has a chance to thrive.
Our Featured Providers
Dr. Dylan Dinn
Dental
Dr. Dylan Dinn
Dental
Undergraduate: Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi with a BS in Chemistry
Dental: University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio - Degree in Doctor of Dental Surgery
2 dogs: Lily and Bear, they are very precious to me and I have had them 10 years
1 cat: Fitzwilliam, found as a stray during dental school
Likes baking cookies/cakes
Played co-ed softball during dental school, and full contact women's football during undergrad
Grew up in south Texas, with heavy hispanic culture upbringing, and my grandmother is from Mexico
Have had to eat gluten free past 6 years, so am well versed in food allergy frustrations
Dr. Awais Mufti
Dental
Dr. Awais Mufti
Dental
Indiana University Bloomington - B.S. degree in Neuroscience
Indiana University School of Dentistry - DDS
I grew up in Wilkes Barre, PA, a small town but a very active community. I grew up playing card games like pokemon and yugioh as well as any sport I could get my hands on from diving to soccer. My favorite sports team is the Chicago Bulls because I grew up watching Derrick Rose. I have a cat named Astro who is an orange ball of energy.
Dr. Michael Pharris
Vision
Dr. Michael Pharris
Vision
- Bachelor of Science - Colorado State University
- Bachelor of Science in Pre-Med - Colorado State University
- Doctorate - Pacific University College of Optometry
I've been married for 25 years to Roxann, we have 4 children, 3 boys, one girl. We own a dog, Winston. I was born in Southern California and I have two younger sisters. We all live in Colorado Springs, along with my mom. I enjoy all things music and all sports. Tennis & Guitar are my favorite.
Dr. Grace Shaw
Vision
Dr. Grace Shaw
Vision
- Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry - University of California San Diego
- Bachelor of Science in Cell Biology - University of California San Diego
- Minor in English Literature - University of California San Diego
- Doctor of Optometry - Southern California College of Optometry
- Dental Residency in Ocular Disease with Indian Health Services at the Hu Hu Kam Memorial Hospital in Arizona
I have 2 children. My accomplished kids are now off to college and graduate school. I look forward to travel and life's adventures.
Dr. Corina Martinez
Vision
Dr. Corina Martinez
Vision
I went to the University of the Incarnate Word for a BS in Vision Science and then I went to the Rosenberg school of Optometry at the University of the Incarnate Word for my Doctor of Optometry degree.
I grew up in a really small border town named Zapata, Texas. Although, I use to play volleyball, run track and cross country growing up I currently do weightlifting as a hobby. I also enjoy hiking, watching Netflix or any other streaming service for hours on end and playing with my two dogs, Siggy and Isla.
Dr. Ted Struhs
Orthodontics
Dr. Ted Struhs
Orthodontics
I went to college in Fort Collins at Colorado State University. There I earned a BS in Biology and a minor in Anatomy and Neurobiology.
For dental school, I attended the Medical College of Virginia campus at Virginia Commonwealth University. I completed my dental degree (DDS) there and was grateful to stay there for my residency training in Orthodontics.
I'm a Colorado native, so I grew up outside and the outdoors is where most of my free time is spent. I hike, camp, fish, and ski - usually the activity is dictated by the weather (which we all know can not always be what's expected). If I'm inside I like doing stuff with my hands - I build plastic models as a hobby, I like radio control hobbies, and like building stuff with wood. I've also played guitar since I was 14 and still practice at least 3-4 time a week. I love all sorts of music, but I mostly like playing rock songs from today all the way back to ones that came out before I was born.
I have been married for 26 years and have three kids whose ages range from 17 to 22. Our life centers around our dog, Bailey.
My son had an abscess tooth and they were fantastic with him being only 7 and this his first real cavity and infection. He left loving going to the dentist and looks forward to all his cleanings. There were a lot of laughs and smiles from everyone who helped. I cannot thank ya'll enough for being so patient and explaining everything and understanding with all my questions and concerns. Thank you!
Melissa S.
COMMUNITY
VON'S VISION
We are proud to partner with NFL Player, Von Miller and his Von’s Vision Foundation to provide free pediatric vision care and glasses for uninsured children in Colorado. Through this amazing partnership, we’ve helped thousands of children get on a path to a bright future.
RURAL VISION
Children in rural communities often have a more difficult time finding access to healthcare. We have made it our mission to bring our extraordinary vision services to rural communities, helping to fill the gap in care through our mobile vision care program.
GIVE KIDS A SMILE
We are proud to partner with the American Dental Association and their Give Kids A Smile® program. Every February, our office participates in this national program providing essential pediatric dental services for uninsured kids.
CLICK BELOW TO LEARN MORE
DENTAL INFORMATION
Providing high-quality, affordable dental care for kids in Colorado Springs is what we do best! A child’s first dentist visit should occur after their first tooth emerges or by their first birthday, whichever comes first. Getting an early start on oral care habits puts your child on the healthiest path.
Sometimes brushing just isn’t enough, and kids need professional dental cleanings. During dental cleanings, we use special tools and skills to remove plaque from hard-to-reach spots. We also check for early signs of tooth decay so that we can treat any issues that arise before they become a more serious problem. For children who are more susceptible to tooth decay, fluoride treatments and sealants are necessary to protect and maintain the strength of their teeth.
Dental x-rays are tools that allow dentists to monitor oral development and check for any potential diseases or decay that can impact your child’s dental health. Dental x-rays are special because they reveal areas of the teeth that are invisible during dental cleanings.
Fluoride gives your teeth the nutrients they need to stay healthy! Fluoride is a natural mineral that protects teeth from decay and maintains tooth strength. During regular dental visits, we paint a concentrated fluoride varnish directly onto tooth/teeth surfaces that need protection. Fluoride is beneficial throughout a child’s life, and it is an important part of healthy dental hygiene.
The most basic form of tooth decay is cavities, especially for toddlers and children. A cavity develops plaque builds up and eats at the tooth enamel. This creates a hole in the tooth called a cavity. Sometimes cavities are hard to prevent, but proper dental hygiene, a healthy diet, and biannual dental cleanings are the best defense. When a cavity is found, the dentist removes the decay and fills in the hole with a filling.
Dental sealants protect teeth against harmful bacteria and tooth decay. Even with excellent oral hygiene, the grooves on the surfaces of molars are vulnerable to collections of food and bacteria that can potentially lead to decay. Dental sealants give teeth an extra layer of protection, and they are an important part of preventative oral care.
Dental crowns are placed on top of damaged teeth that need to be restored to their correct size and shape. Sometimes a filling is not enough to restore a tooth that is decayed or compromised. In this circumstance, dental crowns are needed! A dental crown is applied in one appointment using some form of anesthetic.
There are times when a tooth needs to be extracted. These cases include when a tooth is extensively damaged or decayed, when a baby tooth needs help coming out, and when additional room is needed in the mouth in preparation for orthodontic treatment.
In every dental procedure and at every visit, we want to minimize potential distress to keep kids calm and comfortable. Dental sedation makes a child’s procedure as easy as possible. Select locations provide dental sedation options, and a referral is required.
Teeth can accidentally chip or break during play. Thankfully, we have ways to fix chips and breaks! Contact your dentist immediately if your child has a broken tooth. During the emergency visit, the dentist will examine the child’s mouth. Sometimes, the tooth fragment can be reattached. If you are able to locate the chipped tooth fragment, put it in a bag with water or saline and bring it to the dentist's office. If the tooth fragment can’t be found, there are additional ways to repair the tooth.
Good news families! Medicaid and most dental insurance plans cover two dental cleanings and checkups per year. Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining oral health. Book an appointment with us for your child today!
We look forward to being your kid's dentist!
VISION INFORMATION
With a kid’s eye doctor, your child’s future is clear!
Regular eye exams are an important way to keep babies, kids, and teens on track for educational, social, and developmental success. Vision issues can impact a child’s experiences with school, sports, peers, and daily activities. A vision check-up is an important way to make sure your child is developing healthily and prepared for success.
If it’s hard for your child to see far far away, they may have Myopia. Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a refractive disorder that makes it difficult to see distant objects. In contrast, with nearsightedness, it is easy to see things up close. The symptoms can include:
Blurred vision when looking at objects at a distance
Squinting
Eyestrain
Eye fatigue when looking at objects far away
In addition to causing physical issues, nearsightedness can also impact a child’s performance in school and safety. Nearsightedness can be corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or eye surgery. Routine eye exams can detect potential issues and help kids stay healthy.
Are things too close for comfort? If so, then your child may have Hyperopia, or farsightedness. Hyperopia is a common condition that allows you to see objects far away better than objects that are up close. With farsightedness, the light rays in the eyes focus behind the surface of the retina instead of directly on the retina. This makes close-up objects blurry. The symptoms may include:
Blurred vision
Trouble focusing on things close by
Eyestrain
Eye fatigue
Headaches when performing tasks close-up
Farsightedness can impact self-esteem and educational capabilities, but it is easy to correct with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or surgery. Take your kid for a vision check-up to make sure they are set up for success!
Astigmatism is a common condition that blurs objects both near and far. With astigmatism, your eye isn’t completely round so it is not able to focus. Astigmatism can be difficult to diagnose in kids because they perceive the blurriness as normal. The symptoms include:
Blurred Vision
Distorted Vision
Eyestrain
Headaches
When left unaddressed, astigmatism can impact school performance and safety. Like other common eye issues, astigmatism can be treated with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or surgery. Make an appointment for an eye exam to make sure your child’s eyes are healthy and ready for success!
A wandering eye is also known as Amblyopia. Amblyopia is a vision condition in which one eye underperforms because it does not properly reflect light. When a child has a lazy eye, their body follows the direction of the normally performing eye. This impacts their ability to perceive depth. Symptoms include;
Issues with depth perception
Frequently squinting or shutting one eye
Tilting head to focus
For the most effective and simple treatment and management, it is important to detect a lazy eye early. Routine eye exams are an important way to take care of your children.
Strabismus, or cross-eyes, is a common eye condition in which the eyes are not always aligned. With strabismus, the eye muscles are out of sync which causes the eyes to look different ways. Strabismus can lead to a lazy eye or cause other types of vision problems. There are a few different treatment options, depending on the specific nature of the condition.
It can be a struggle to get your child to wear eyeglasses. We carry over 350 Medicaid-approved frames to ensure your child can find the perfect pair to suit their age, size, fashion, and lifestyle. We want every child to feel confident and comfortable when wearing glasses!
We don’t want any child to struggle with learning challenges caused by undetected vision problems. If your child is experiencing vision issues, we can help. We accept Medicaid and most insurance plans so that your child can have regular vision check-ups and glasses at little or no cost.
ORTHODONTIST INFORMATION
Orthodontic braces effectively correct jaw alignment and teeth spacing. Braces offer many benefits. They can boost your child or teen’s confidence and self-esteem, and they improve many aspects of dental health, including:
Improve ability to chew food
Alleviate speech impairment
Make brushing, cleaning, and flossing teeth easier
Reduce the risk of cavities and periodontal disease
Reduce the occurrence of grinding and chipping teeth
Reduce the risk of injury from protruding teeth
In addition to helping you and your kids or teens look their best, braces can create a foundation for a lifetime of improved oral health!
The first step in the journey of creating a perfect smile is to find the right braces. We can help you choose the right type of braces based on your treatment plan, cost, and desired appearance. There are several different types of braces that are commonly used today.
Traditional Metal Braces are the most common type of braces because they are the most affordable and effective option. Metal braces are easy for orthodontists to accurately adjust during monthly visits. A fun bonus with metal braces is that kids and teens get to choose fun elastic band colors to achieve a look they love!
Ceramic or Porcelain Braces function similarly to metal braces, but the brackets and wires are designed to blend in with the teeth. These braces are less noticeable and more expensive than metal braces. In order to prevent discoloration, they require dedicated, regular cleaning. If you want your braces to be less noticeable in appearance, ceramic or porcelain braces are a great option.
Removable Aligners are a popular option for many families. They consist of removable, transparent trays that rest on top of teeth and can be removed for meal times and other activities. In comparison to traditional metal braces, removable aligners are more expensive. Removable aligners can correct alignment issues, but they are not suitable for correcting significant bite problems. Also, they are not usually recommended for children because they require an additional level of personal responsibility. If you are looking for a less noticeable way to correct alignment issues and you are able to follow through with the required care, this solution may be the right treatment option for you.
Medicaid and many other insurance plans understand the importance of braces for oral health and can potentially cover the entire cost of orthodontic treatment. If you are insured by Medicaid, an orthodontic evaluation is needed to determine whether or not the treatment is covered. If you have private insurance, your insurance provider can detail your orthodontic coverage options.
For families who do not have insurance coverage, we offer multiple affordable payment plans. Our orthodontic care coordinators work with you to review the options and determine a plan that works for you.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child is screened before their seventh birthday. By the time your child turns seven, it will be clear if they have any jaw alignment problems, overcrowding, overbite or underbite, crossbite, or other orthodontic issues that may impact their mouth. Early evaluations by an orthodontist are important to quickly determine if braces are needed and choose the best treatment plan.