Dr. Cook was raised on a small farm in Brazil, Indiana. He received his Bachelor of Science with high distinction from Indiana State University. He then attended Indiana University School of Dentistry, where he graduated with high honors. Dr. Cook completed a two-year residency at James Witcomb Riley Hospital for Children, where he received a certificate in pediatric dentistry and a Master of Science in Dentistry. During his second year of the program, Dr. Cook had the honor of being Chief Resident of the pediatric dental program. Dr. Cook is on staff at St. Mary's Hospital and Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, Indiana as a pediatric dentist.
While in residency and dental school, Dr. Cook made three trips to Calnali, Mexico, located in the Sierra Madrid Mountains, where he provided dentistry for the underserved children. During his last trip to Mexico, he was involved in dental caries research and had his research entitled, 'Dental caries experience and association to risk indicators of remote rural populations' published in the Intermediate Journal of Pediatric Dentistry.
Dr. Cook and his wife have a young boy named Alex and twin girls named Jolie and Caroline as well as two Goldendoodles, Axl and Agnes. Much of their time is spent as a family together or with friends. In his free time, Dr. Cook enjoys playing golf and any outdoor activity.
We know that our office is only as effective and welcoming as the people who work in it, which is why we take pride in our friendly, well-trained staff members! As a team, we are especially interested in making all our patients feel right at home! We put your needs first to achieve efficient and comprehensive treatment in a supportive, nurturing environment. We promise to speak candidly with you about possible treatments as well as any risks and associated costs of treatment, and how treatment can address your individual needs as a patient.
Our staff is highly skilled, uniquely trained and strives to provide energetic and fun-loving service to each patient. Our team has specialized training, multiple certifications and years of experience treating patients with the highest level of care. We aim to stay abreast of the very latest in technology and advances by regularly attending continuing education courses and seminars.
Jessica has been the Clinical Coordinator at Just for Kids since 2015. She has also been a Dental Assistant at Just for Kids since 2013. She received her CDA, Coronal Polishing and Expanded Functions certificates in 2013 through the University of Southern Indiana. She then completed a Bachelor of Science in Health Services in 2015 from the University of Southern Indiana.
Outside of work, Jessica spends her time with her husband, family, friends and two dogs. She also enjoys being outdoors and staying busy. I love the family environment at Just for Kids. It is awesome to develop personal relationships with patients and parents. It is very rewarding to work alongside my teammates, and Dr. Cook to provide excellent oral health care to children.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons, Travis and Gunner. Leslie loves watching the boys sporting activities. She and her husband also like to take small trips on their motorcycle. She enjoys staying busy, being involved with PTO at her childrens school. One of the things I love most about working for Just for Kids is spending my day working with some of my closest friends. I enjoy seeing all of the patients and getting to know their families.
Jenny has been a Dental Assistant for Just for Kids since 2006. She took on a new role in our office as the Patient Care Coordinator. Before Jenny became a Dental Assistant, she attended Henderson Community College.
She enjoys working in her yard and going to craft and antique stores. She also loves spending time at the beach. I love our family-friendly atmosphere and the opportunity to work with my best friends.
Rachel is a Dental Hygienist that has worked at Just for Kids since 2010. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene with a minor in nutrition from the University of Southern Indiana. She also holds a CDA and credentials in providing local anesthesia.
Rachel, her husband, and young child enjoy participating in community events and staying active. She enjoys hiking, gardening, cooking and traveling with friends and family. I have a passion for educating children about oral hygiene. I love interacting with children of all ages and getting to know our patients on a personal level. I also enjoy working alongside Dr. Cook as he provides exceptional dental care. I truly take pleasure in my job at Just for Kids.
Allyssa loves spending time with her family. She takes pride in being a small group leader for her middle school girls at First Christian Church in Newburgh. She also enjoys cheering on the Kentucky Wildcats during basketball season. I love the family and kid-friendly environment at Just for Kids. Every day is a new and fun adventure! It is awesome getting to meet new faces and watching the children grow.
Teeth can last a lifetime if you take care of them right and the best time to start is just as soon as they begin appearing. By establishing good oral hygiene routines for your children right from the start, you'll give them the best chance of keeping their teeth healthy forever.
Tooth decay, the major cause of dental trouble that can eventually lead to tooth loss, is actually an infectious disease caused by bacteria. If it takes hold, it can form a cavity in the enamel and then progress deeper into the tooth causing discomfort, difficulty eating and speaking, and a need for fillings or root canal treatment. The good news is that tooth decay (also called caries) is completely preventable.
The primary route to good dental health is plaque removal. Plaque is the sticky, whitish film that builds up on teeth in the absence of effective oral hygiene. Decay-causing bacteria thrive in plaque, where they break down any sugar that lingers in the mouth. In the process, they produce acid byproducts that erode teeth. This is how a cavity begins. What are the most effective techniques for plaque removal and decay prevention? That depends on the age of your child.
Babies can develop a form of tooth decay known as early childhood caries. This occurs when they are allowed to go to sleep with a bottle that's filled with anything but water. The sugars in formula, milk (even breast milk) and juice can pool around the teeth and feed decay-causing bacteria. When it comes to bedtime soothing, a pacifier or bottle filled with water is safer for developing teeth that is, until about age 3. At that point, sucking habits should be gently discouraged to prevent orthodontic problems from developing later on.
Brush your baby's first teeth gently with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush, using just a thin smear of fluoride toothpaste, at least once a day at bedtime. Before a tooth is fully erupted, you can use a water-soaked gauze pad to clean around the tooth and gums.
Starting at age 2, you can begin teaching your child to brush with a children's toothbrush and no more than a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. But remember, children will need help with this important task until about age 6, when they have the fine motor skills to do an effective job themselves.
It's also extremely important to start encouraging healthy dietary habits at this time. Your child will have less plaque buildup and decay if you place limits on soda and sugary snack consumption. As a parent, you can model this behavior to instill it in your child. After all, monkey see, monkey do! Any sugary treats that are allowed should come at mealtimes, not in between. This will ensure your child is not creating favorable conditions for oral bacteria to grow around the clock.
At your child's regular, twice-yearly dental checkups and cleanings, we can apply topical fluoride to strengthen tooth enamel and make it more resistant to erosion and decay. If necessary, we can also apply dental sealants to the back teeth (molars) to prevent food particles and bacteria from building up in the tiny grooves where a toothbrush can't reach (Watch Dental Sealant Video).
At this point, your children have the primary responsibility for maintaining their day-to-day dental health but you can continue to help them make good dietary and behavioral choices. These include drinking plenty of water and avoiding soda, sports drinks and energy drinks, all of which are highly acidic; avoiding tobacco and alcohol; and continuing to visit our office regularly for cleanings and exams. This is particularly important if your teen wears braces, which can make it more difficult to keep teeth clean.