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Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry

Children / Pediatric Dentistry in South Central

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(503) 905-6493WebsiteUpdated Aug 28, 2026

About Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry

Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry is a dental practice on 12th Street Southeast in the South Central area of Salem, Oregon. Pediatric dental care is built around treating children specifically — dentists with additional training in child development and behaviour management, and offices designed to make a first visit unintimidating. Guidance generally points to a child's first dental visit around age one or within six months of the first tooth.

Beyond any single treatment, most dental visits start with an examination — checking for decay, reviewing the gums, and looking at existing fillings or crowns — often alongside X-rays where there is a reason to look between or beneath teeth. That groundwork is what a dentist uses to explain any findings and set out next steps before you leave.

Routine attendance, roughly every six months for most people, is what actually keeps small problems small. A lot of decay and gum disease develops without any pain in its early stages, which is why regular checkups matter even when nothing seems to be wrong, rather than only booking an appointment once something hurts.

A first appointment at a new practice typically covers a full examination, a review of your dental and medical history, and a professional cleaning, with X-rays if you do not have recent ones. It is also a reasonable time to raise any longer-term concerns, cosmetic or otherwise, so they can be factored into a plan going forward.

Day-to-day oral health still comes down to the basics between visits — brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between the teeth, and limiting how often sugary food and drink appear through the day matters more than the total amount eaten at once. Regular professional care is what catches whatever those habits do not.

Digital X-rays are a routine part of dental care because they show what a visual exam alone cannot — decay forming between teeth, bone loss below the gumline, and how developing adult teeth are positioned in children. They use a low radiation dose and are taken on a schedule matched to individual risk rather than at every single visit. This page has the practice's contact details and full service list. Get in touch through it to ask questions or book a visit.

Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry is a dental practice on 12th Street Southeast in the South Central area of Salem, Oregon, offering children / pediatric dentistry among its listed services. The practice is open Monday through Friday. You can reach the practice through this page to ask about treatment or request an appointment.

Clinic Details

Best Known For

Pediatric Dentistry

Business Hours

Monday
8:00 AM4:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM4:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM4:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM4:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM2:00 PM
Saturday(Today)Closed
SundayClosed

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry located in Salem?
Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry is on 12th Street Southeast in the South Central area of Salem, Oregon (97302).
What days is Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry open?
Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry is open Monday through Friday. Contact the practice through this page to confirm current appointment times before travelling.
What services does Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry offer?
Listed services at Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry include Children / Pediatric Dentistry. The full list is shown on this page.
What does a paediatric dentist do differently?
They complete additional training focused on children — how teeth develop, how to manage anxiety and behaviour in the chair, and conditions specific to young patients. The practical difference is usually as much about handling the visit as the treatment itself.
When do children start losing baby teeth?
Usually from around age six, continuing until roughly age twelve, though the timing varies widely between children. Adult molars also come through at the back around age six without any baby tooth falling out first.
How often should I have a dental check-up?
Every six months suits most people. If you have gum disease or a history of decay a dentist may suggest coming more often. The point of regular visits is mostly to catch problems while they are still small and cheap to treat.

Location

Services Offered

Children / Pediatric Dentistry

Reviews

430 reviews

Smyleee Rating reflects verified profile signals, reviews, and overall care quality.

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Recent Reviews

s
s***1 month ago
A
A***2 months ago
B
B***2 months ago

The staff at Spinnaker are amazing! We see Dr. Day who is so sweet and today we had Lesly who was just OUTSTANDING. Our 3 year old is not a fan of someone poking around in his mouth (expected) and she did such a good job trying to help him have fun and truly understand the process. We had originally started our child’s dental care at Acorn but after fraudulent billing claims and a less than kind and understanding staff, I am so so glad we found Spinnaker. Huge bonus for the kids too - they get a prize at the end!

V
V***2 months ago

Both my kids love coming here. Recently, my youngest (age 4) had a procedure done with in office anesthesia. My daughter NEVER goes with anyone willingly, unless I’m there. Dr. Elroy (anesthesiologist) was able to have her calmly go to the back room for her procedure with ZERO issues. No crying, no hesitation, no fear. I was surprised how smooth that transition went, and very happy. Dr. Cooper (dentist) completed all the necessary work. He went above and beyond making sure everything was perfect, even redoing 2 crowns because he wasn’t satisfied on how they set the first time. Everyone here TRULY cares to make sure the kids have a wonderful experience. My daughter’s procedure was yesterday, and although her mouth is sore from the crowns, she is still asking to go back to the dentist today. Thank you to the amazing staff from the people at front desk, dental assistants, and doctors. You are all incredible.

C
C***3 months ago

We have been coming to see Dr.Cooper for over a decade. All of my kids have enjoyed his kindness, mannerism and support. His incredible knowledge has been greatly appreciated especially during the kids time with orthodontics. 100/10 would recommend. We are gonna miss him and the crew when we have to see a different dentist.

J
J***3 months ago

Dr. Cooper is simply wonderful with kids, insanely knowledgeable, and makes the whole family feel comfortable, safe, and heard. Our dental assistant today was also amazing, super sweet with our little ones (4 and 2), and had the fastest hands in the west catching the inevitable gaggy globs from sensitive mouths. I recently moved all 3 of my kids to Spinnaker and would 100% recommend them!

S
S***4 months ago

​A huge thank you to the team at Spinnaker for making my son's first dental appointment a success! Kristyn was amazing—she built a great rapport with him, making the x-ray process smooth and stress-free. Kristyn went above and beyond to make us both feel comfortable, using kid-friendly explanations that really helped my son open up. Because of her patience, he was calm when Dr. Cooper came in for the exam. Dr. Cooper was equally kind, and my son felt completely comfortable during his exam. Even the administrative side was a breeze. Jane’s detailed explanation of the treatment plan and clear breakdown of costs was exactly what I needed to make an informed decision. Highly recommend this team for anyone with young children. I am so grateful for such a positive start to his dental health!

A
A***8 months ago

We had a very complex dental problem with our 4 year old who is defiant and unable to be treated under local anesthesia. Spinnaker was the 6th place we have tried at and the first place who was actually able to do what we needed. Their staff was professional, organized and excellent with children. The doctor and anesthesiologist connect with the parents personally to answer questions and have full transparency of the procedure. The dental assistants were assuringly helpful and naturally very good kids, something you don’t experience at other offices. I could tell this crew genuinely care about children. Plus the cleanliness and whimsical decorations make myself and my child at ease in a difficult situation. I’m so happy we found Spinnaker.

Reviews are aggregated from public sources.

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