Pediatric Board Certified & Certified Sedation Dentist
Contact us at:
5611 Palmyra Road
Pittsford, NY 14534
Across from the Pittsford Post Office
Corner of Route 31 and Marsh Rd.
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Dr. Pitcher is trained in child psychology, growth and development, and pediatric medicine, as well as all phases of dentistry. She is a Diplomate of The American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and Fellow of The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Pitcher is also a Certified Administrator of in-office conscious sedation by New York State.
Hours of Operation:
Business Hours:
Mon & Tues: 8am – 5:30pm | Thurs & Fri: 8am – 5pm
Wed: Closed
Summer Hours (July 4th – Labor Day):
Mon & Tues: 8am – 5:30pm | Wed & Thurs: 8am – 5pm
Fri: Closed
Dr. Pitcher, owner of Pitcher Pediatric Dental, formerly known as Rosen Pitcher Dental, is a Pittsford native. She is a graduate of Our Lady of Mercy High School, William Smith College, University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, and University of Rochester Eastman Dental Center.
Dr. Pitcher achieved Diplomate status of the The American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and is a Fellow of The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. She is also a member of the American Dental Association, Northeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry, New York State Dental Association, and the Seventh District Dental Society. Being a Diplomate and Fellow requires extensive continuing education and testing beyond basic requirements for other pediatric non-board certified and general dentists.
As a New York State certified provider of conscious sedation, Dr. Pitcher is certified in PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support), ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support), and BLS (Basic Life Support/AED).
With dentistry as her lifelong career dream, Dr. Pitcher is passionate about the work she does and the individualized care she exhibits for all of her patients. Her belief is to treat every patient as if they were her own.
Our mission is to create a place where children will have a positive experience without fear and become motivated to care for their teeth so that they last a lifetime.
Our emphasis has always been prevention. 90% of our six month check-up patients are cavity free, a record unsurpassed in Rochester!
For your child’s security a pediatric dentist is on call 24 hours a day for emergencies, or just to answer questions. Our office is handicap accessible.
At least three hygienists can treat your children simultaneously so that your waiting time is reduced when you bring more than one child at the same time.
For your convenience we will gladly assist you in submitting both predetermination and initial insurance claims pertaining to charges for care rendered in our office. However, please be aware our primary financial relationship is with our patients or their families and not with their respective insurance companies. Final responsibility for collection of benefits from your insurance company rests with the insured party. Our professional services are rendered and charged directly to the patient or their family and they are responsible for payment of all fees incurred.
For your convenience we accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. When needed we also participate in and accept Care Credit.
Why should I use a children’s specialist instead of my general dentist?
It is the same reason you use a pediatrician instead of an internist for your child. A pediatric dentist is a general dentist who was trained in all phases of dentistry, and then studied an additional two to three years concentrating on pediatric medicine, child psychology, and growth and development. Most pediatric dentist also have more growth/development and orthodontic training than a general dentist.
Is it more expensive to go to a specialist?
No. Just as it does not cost more to see a pediatrician; a pediatric dentist’s fees are comparable to those your family dentist charges. The pediatric dentist treats children because he/she loves to treat children.
How old should my child be when I schedule her first visit?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends to schedule all children to have an infant oral exam when their teeth begin to grow in, and at the latest by age 1 year. Then, parents have a “Dental Home” to help monitor development, prevention education, and in the unfortunate event of oral trauma. By the age of 2 years many children have been exposed to cavity risk behaviors and could benefit from a thorough cleaning. The toughest age for a first dental experience is around age four. In the child’s psychological development, that age is sometimes called the age of fears. Four year olds are afraid of the dark, monsters, and new experiences. They cannot differentiate between make believe and reality. That is why Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy are real! One and two year olds, however, are fearless, and a first visit to see the dentist at that age usually results in setting the tone for future positive experiences.
What is done at the first visit?
The dentist will examine your child, including hard and soft tissues, tonsils, lips, cheeks and alignment of teeth. The doctor will discuss habits (thumb and pacifiers), nursing, nutrition, proper oral hygiene techniques, and predict future growth and orthodontic development. As much time as necessary will be spent with you, the parent, until all of your questions are answered. Statistically, 40% of two year old children in the United States have a cavity. Our office prides itself in the fact that over 90% of our 6 month recall patients are cavity free! We will discuss that with you as well.
How should I prepare my child for the first visit?
The best way to prepare your child is not to prepare at all. Children are very perceptive and can “read” your apprehensions, no matter how subtle. When parents try to ease the visit, they often say things like, “We’re going to the dentist, and they don’t hurt or anything.” The child hears “dentist” and “hurt”. Think about it. We don’t say, “we’re going to the supermarket, and you don’t have to be afraid”, so why prepare for the dentist? Merely tell your child on the day of the visit that today, we are going to visit the dentist, and they count your teeth. If your child asks questions, tell him “I don’t know, but you can ask the dentist yourself!” This is true because dentistry has changed drastically from the days when you were young, and chances are the things you remembered are very different.
Since baby teeth fall out, do they still have to be filled?
Primary teeth, or baby teeth last approximately 1/7th of a lifetime. Cavities in primary teeth can cause toothaches and infections, just as they do in adults. Cavities are bacteria and this bacteria can continue to spread to other teeth. Moreover, an infection in the baby tooth can result in damage to the underlying permanent tooth. If a primary tooth is lost prematurely, the back teeth may move forward into the empty space and block out the unerupted permanent tooth creating an impaction and an orthodontic problem.
My husband was cavity prone as a child. Will my child be cavity prone too?
There is a genetic component to being cavity prone. There are actually many reasons why a child can be decay prone. Among these, dry mouths, pitted or deeply grooved teeth, presence or absence of fluoride in the drinking water, frequency of eating, and oral hygiene are all factors. Each child is different, and we are proud of ourselves because most of our 6 month check-up patients are decay free. We will discuss your child’s condition with you and customize a prevention program that is practical and effective.
My child is five years old and still sucks her thumb. How can I encourage her to stop?
Pacifiers should be discontinued when a child no longer nurses or is on a bottle. Thumbs are trickier because they are attached. Over retained sucking habits will cause distortions in the jaws resulting in a gaping jaw or open bite. As the child ages, the tongue rests in the opening between the upper and lower front teeth creating speech problems (lisps) and swallowing disorders. Most children stop sucking thumbs before age five because of social pressures or teasing from other children. For those who cannot stop, we can offer some simple techniques that you can try at home. In extreme cases, there are “thumb guards” that can be attached to the teeth to stop the habit.
We are happy to answer any questions that you may have at your next visit.
It is recommended to have infant exams by age one.
I did a great job at the dentist and got a prize!
Many, many thanks for taking care of Maya’s teeth during our recent trip to New York. I truly appreciate your compassionate care, time and willingness to squeeze Maya into your busy schedule. We were very fortunate to be able to be seen at your office. It is wonderful to see such a kid-friendly dental office. Jillian A.M. Helifax, Nova Scotia
Dr. Rosen
A sincere and heartfelt thank you for so quickly and compassionately taking care of our grandson Keagan C. We were so upset regarding his “accident” and did not know where to turn. Thank goodness one of my relatives suggested your office. I cannot say enough about the tremendous office and staff! We are extremely grateful and wanted you to know.Patricia A.
Thank you for your great service throughout all these years. 30 years!Lynnn S.
Dr. Pitcher and Staff
Thank you so much for seeing Mallory. We were so appreciative of the compassion that was given to her. Mary Beth and Mallory R.
Thank you so much for your kindness and support. I count myself as lucky for having a group of people who care for me.Rachall D.
Thank you so much for the excellent cosmetic result you achieved on Stephen’s front tooth! I can finally enjoy his smile again without distractions. Can’t thank you enough!Local Pediatrician
Dr. Pitcher
Thank you for working on my teeth. It doesn’t hurt at all anymore.Kevin M.
Dr. Marci Pitcher
Thank you for taking time out of your busy New Year schedule to see Patrick and take care of his tooth. We feel blessed to have such a good dentist. I feel safe bringing Patrick to you. He was very excited about the tooth fairy. Thank you again.Carol S.
Dr. Pitcher, Dr. Rosen, and Staff
A huge thank you to you all for many years of wonderful dental care. AJ and Cam have nothing but fond memories of their dental experiences as young kids! Unfortunately, time marches on and they have out grown the pediatric dentist. Thanks for all your experience and advice during their youth.Sue and John L.
Dr. Pitcher and Staff
Thank you so much for your time and patience! Kayleigh is so very proud of her front teeth! She says now “look no more sharp teeth”. You and your staff are one in a million!Pam and Kayleigh S.
Dr. Rosen and Dr. Pitcher
I have decided to transfer Nicole to a general dentist. She is now an adult and has been in your practice since infancy. I truly appreciate your service and your place has always been friendly and warm. My two children, now adults will not forget your cool toys, fun games, colorful wall decorations, and many other creative stuff. I have seen no other dental offices like yours.Patty K.
Dr. Pitcher
We left your office about 12 hours ago and I still cannot get you out of my mind. I spent many hours worrying about Quinn’s tooth extraction and praying that it would be far less traumatic than his initial experience elsewhere trying to get a large cavity taken care of. Now I cannot sleep because I am just so ecstatic at how positive our experience was with you today.I know you have children of your own so I know that you can understand it when I say that my sun rises and sets around my children. The last thing I want is to see them in pain and be able to do nothing about it. You were so reassuring that you would do anything to make Quinn more comfortable. …and you did!
Though the day began with a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach it ended with a wonderful feeling in my heart. You may not even be aware of it, but when you picked Quinn up to carry him into the exam room for his extraction I was absolutely overcome with emotion. To watch someone else treat my child with the love that I do was overwhelming. I knew then that he was in the best hands.
So, thank you from the bottom of my heart for so many things. For answering our silly questions! For explaining things and patiently re explaining them! For taking care of Quinn’s “sick tooth!” But most importantly, for treating Quinn with the love and care that you would show your own children. For this, we are so very grateful.Kristen A.
Rosen Pitcher Dental Group
We want to take this time to thank you and the members of your practice for all of the work and support you provided over my daughters childhood years. Your professionalism and patient care are first rate, and our decision to leave the practice coincides with a decision for my wife and me to seek a new practice for ourselves and now our daughter is approaching adulthood. Thank you again for the great care that my daughter received through your practice!Rick P.
Dr. Rosen and Dr. Pitcher
I would like to thank you for the 20 years of dental care that you have given to our children. It was always a positive experience for them when they care to your office. You and your staff were always very kind and professional.Steve and Colleen V.
Thank you to Dr. Rosen and all of the staff. Your handling of our 2 year old Maggie’s many fillings was incredible. You were kind to me in the waiting room as I worried. You complimented my daughter after and when Dr. Rosen carried her out, it just touched my heart. At 2, Maggie talks of Dr. Rosen as her friend.Rod and Beth S.
Dr. Pitcher
Thank you so kindly for filing out Chris’s paperwork for the application for priesthood. This was in addition to everything else you have done, we are so grateful! God bless you always.Chris V.
Dr. Rosen and Staff
Thank you so much for making my sons dental procedure such a wonderful experience. I was very touched by the understanding and kindness of the woman orchestrating a very busy office; she went out of her way to comfort me. You and your staff were amazing while I was an emotional wreck the in the waiting area. My son handled the experience much better than I did! I have never felt so secure and trusting as I did when I brought my son to you. I felt like he could not have been in better hands.Niko and Kaelim W.
Decay is not inevitable. There are three things that must be present at the same time in order to get cavity: Teeth: Obviously, without teeth, you cannot get a cavity. Teeth have pits and fissures that trap food and germs. Teeth also can dissolve in the presence of acids, which is what bacteria produce when…
Baby teeth are necessary to aid in proper nutrition, speech, and maintaining space for future permanent teeth. If a baby tooth is loosened or lost due to injury, or darkens in color, call your child’s dentist. The dentist will evaluate the situation and discuss with you any needed treatment. If you see an adult tooth growing…
The sucking of thumbs, fingers, and pacifiers can distort your child’s bite, as well as lead to speech impediments and future orthodontic problems. It is wise to have your child’s mouth evaluated for potential damage or distortion. The dentist will offer advice specific to your child and can recommend home remedies or dental appliances to…
Snoring is a common condition It occurs when the flow of air through the mouth and nose is physically obstructed causing a vibration through your soft tissues. Most causes of snoring are anatomical, for example the size of your tonsils and adenoids, or the length and flexibility of your uvula. Other factors can be obesity,…
Do I need braces? This is a common question at the dentist office. Orthodontics (braces) help correct irregularities of the teeth, called malocclusion. Seeing a pediatric dentist at a young age helps to monitor jaw and teeth development. In some cases, early orthodontic intervention is needed; although most problems have to wait for adolescence when…
One of the most common problems of the soft tissues in the mouth ulcers, also called: canker sores, apthous ulcers, or recurrent apthous stomatitis. The lesion appears as a white spot surrounded by a red border. It is very sensitive, which can make brushing and eating difficult. Spicy and acidic foods or drinks can cause…
If a child loses a baby tooth prematurely due to cavities or trauma, other teeth may tip or drift into the unoccupied space. This eliminates room for the eruption of the future permanent tooth, leading to the need of more expensive orthodontic or surgical treatment. If a tooth can not be saved, the child’s dentist…
Business Hours (September ~ June):
Mon & Tues 8:00 am – 5:30 pm
Thurs & Fri 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wed: Closed
Summer Hours (July ~ August):
Mon & Tues: 8:00 am – 5:30 pm
Wed & Thurs: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Fri: Closed
