Dr. Emily Rousso, a board-certified pediatric dentist, was likely destined to take care of kids and their teeth.
After all, Dr. Rousso “had a ton of dental work as a kid,” she said, which was certainly no fun.
But there was a saving grace.
“I had a fantastic pediatric dentist who spent a lot of time with me, and I always had a good experience,” Dr. Rousso said. “I loved my dentist, and I really want to provide that experience for the children in this community.”
She provides her special brand of caring, personal, high-quality dental care for kids at her brand-new Homewood practice — Rousso Pediatric Dentistry.
Dr. Rousso, who earned her dental degree at UAB and completed a residency in pediatric dentistry at The University of Southern California, understands the needs of children and creates a warm, welcoming environment where both patients and their parents feel safe.
“I like making children feel comfortable in an environment that can be scary,” she said.
Dr. Rousso takes the time to listen to parents and answer their questions.
“I enjoy educating parents who don’t know exactly what to do to keep their children’s teeth healthy,” she said.
Her practice is the anchor tenant in a new facility that was built for her by the landlord, Dunn Construction, with Vincent Construction as the subcontractor.
Dr. Rousso met with the architect, Tim Lucy, and offered her design input, including colors and finishes.
Ryan Freeman Inc. — a dental-specificcontractor with a clear vision for dental design — built out the interior.
Most importantly, Dr. Rousso — who has two young daughters — designed the interior space from a working mom's point of view.
She created a unique space called the toddler adaptive room. “It’s essentially a playroom, where we can perform exams and simple treatments,”she said.
Her patients up to ages 3 or 4 can enjoy the toddler adaptive room and “just be kids,” giving parents a chance to relax and talk to Dr. Rousso.
“The kids are playing while I have a consultation with the parents and review the kid’s health history, diet and hygiene,” she said. “The other great part is it gives kids time to warm up to me.”
Often, parents hold the child in their lap while Dr. Rousso uses a cordless hand piece to clean their teeth.
“If a child is scared or nervous, I explain the instruments to them,” she said.
Rousso Pediatric Dentistry is also inviting for older kids. Children ages 6 or 7 can use a fun, brushing station with custom artwork. Kids can watch TV on the ceiling during cleanings and treatment. The office provides gift cards and other prizes for patients.
Ultimately, Dr. Rousso develops a personalized treatment plan for each child “based on their habits and lifestyle and what works for their family and their risk level for developing cavities,” she said.
Dr. Rousso recognizes that families have busy lives and need a realistic dental-care plan they can execute with their child.
“Being a working mom, I come to the table with a lot of grace for my parents,” Dr. Rousso said. “I try to collaborate on real changes that can improve their kids' lives for the better that they can sustain.”
