Dr. Mark Herring and the staff at Southern Smiles Pediatric Dentistry will work to ensure that your child receives only the best dental care possible.
Our dentists and staff aim to welcome your family with open arms to make each dental visit a calming and relaxing experience. You can call Southern Smiles your home for dental health and can confide in us as both partners and teammates.
Dr. Herring places an emphasis on creating a welcoming atmosphere for every child and parent that walks into our office. Your treatment plan will be personalized around your areas of concern through evidence-backed research and the latest advancements in dental technology.
Dr. Mark Herring is a North Carolina native, born and raised in Wilmington, NC. He received his undergraduate degrees at North Carolina State University, where he double majored in Spanish and human biology. He received his dental degree from the ECU School of Dental Medicine, graduating with honors. Dr. Mark went on to the University of Pennsylvania and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to pursue his certificate and specialty in pediatric dentistry, where he gained a keen interest and aptitude working with complex patients, children with special healthcare needs, and patients of all walks of life.
Often referred to as laughing gas, is used by dentists to help your child relax during treatment. It is a safe sedative that is combined with oxygen and inhaled through a small mask during treatment. Once treatment is complete and the mask is removed, the effects of nitrous oxide fade quickly as fresh air is breathed into the lungs.
Your child’s experience is designed to be as positive as possible, and sometimes nitrous oxide isn’t enough to keep your child comfortable. Our providers are qualified to provide oral sedation medications that can keep your children relaxed, comfortable. For more anxious patients, oral sedation can be a helpful and calming technique help get the job done!
For some children, dental treatment under general anesthesia is necessary to provide the best possible experience while still completing all necessary treatment. Anesthesia is recommended for several reasons including: previous traumatic experiences, extensive needs, special healthcare needs, or generally high anxiety or fear of the dentist. We offer treatment under general anesthesia at two local surgery centers where we maintain privileges as well as work with Luxe Anesthesia, which provides mobile anesthesia services at our office.
With compassionate, personalized care tailored to each child's unique needs, this approach helps ensure that children with physical or cognitive challenges receive the gentle and thorough dental care they deserve, all while maintaining a comfortable and positive experience.
