Board-certified pediatric dentists
Drs. Thomas and Lopez are Diplomates of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, the specialty’s highest credential.
Our Specialists
Serious specialists. Seriously kind to kids.
Pediatric Dental Specialists isn’t a general dentist who also sees children. Every doctor here is a board-certified pediatric specialist, and there’s a board-certified orthodontist on staff too, all with the kind of training you’d expect at a children’s hospital. Meet the four people behind the dinosaurs, the slushies, and the Toy Tower.
Specialists, not generalists
Diplomates, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
Former President, Kansas Dental Board, Governor-appointed
Board-Certified Orthodontist on staff
Children’s-hospital-level credentials, in a place built for kids.
Pediatric dentists complete extra years of residency training devoted entirely to treating children, including child psychology, sedation, and dental trauma. Here, that’s every doctor in the practice.
Leadership in the profession
Dr. Thomas served five Governor-appointed years on the Kansas Dental Board and was its President. She now sits on the KU Hospital Authority Board.
Braces & pediatric care, one roof
Dr. Crist is a board-certified orthodontist, so families handle pediatric care and braces with the same team, in the same place.
Meet the team
Four doctors. One specialist standard.
Dr. Donna Thomas, DDS
Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist
KC native
Diplomate, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
Former President, Kansas Dental Board
Born and raised in Kansas City (St. Mary’s High School, Rockhurst College), Dr. Thomas earned her Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Dentistry, then completed a two-year pediatric dental residency and a Master’s degree at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. Appointed by the Governor, she served five years on the Kansas Dental Board, served as its President in her final year, and has since been appointed to the KU Hospital Authority Board. She is married to periodontist Dr. Daniel Thomas, with two children in college.
- UMKC School of Dentistry, DDS
- Pediatric residency + Master’s degree, University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Diplomate, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
- Former President, Kansas Dental Board (Governor-appointed); KU Hospital Authority Board
Dr. Nicole Hawkinson, DDS
Pediatric Dentist
University of Iowa
U of Rochester / Strong Memorial
Child psychology, sedation & trauma training
Raised in central Iowa, Dr. Hawkinson earned a biology degree from Luther College and a Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. She completed her pediatric dentistry certificate at Strong Memorial Hospital and the University of Rochester, New York, with extensive training in child psychology, dental trauma, sedation, and hospital dentistry. She and her husband settled in Kansas City, where they’re members at Church of the Nativity and avid Sporting KC and Kansas City Ballet fans, with three children.
- University of Iowa College of Dentistry, DDS
- Pediatric certificate, University of Rochester / Strong Memorial Hospital
- Trained in child psychology, dental trauma, sedation & hospital dentistry
Dr. Claudia Lopez, DDS
Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist
First in her class, El Bosque University
Diplomate, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
Se habla español
Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, Dr. Lopez graduated first in her class at El Bosque University of Dentistry. She moved to the United States in 1992 and earned a pediatric dentistry certificate at New York University, followed by a DDS certificate and a research fellowship at Children’s Mercy Hospital and UMKC. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, fluent in Spanish, with 17 years of teaching experience.
- Graduated first in her class, El Bosque University of Dentistry (Bogotá)
- Pediatric certificate, NYU; research fellowship, Children’s Mercy Hospital & UMKC
- Diplomate, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
- Fluent in Spanish · 17 years of teaching experience
Dr. Frank Crist, DDS
Board-Certified Orthodontist
KC native
Board-certified orthodontist
Braces + pediatric care, one roof
A Kansas City native (Park Hill High School), Dr. Crist earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Kansas State University, then a Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Dentistry, followed by orthodontic specialty training. As a board-certified orthodontist, he lets families handle braces and pediatric care under one roof, with the same team kids already know and trust.
- UMKC School of Dentistry, DDS
- BS in Biology, Kansas State University
- Board-certified orthodontist; orthodontic specialty training
The other half of the job
All those credentials, wrapped in a visit kids look forward to.
The same specialists who trained in sedation and dental trauma also keep a Toy Tower stocked and the slushie machine running. Every step is explained in kid-friendly words with a gentle show-tell-do approach, so there are no surprises, and no scary tools.
Dinosaur theme throughout
Slushies
A Toy Tower of prizes
Show-tell-do
One phone number, four offices
Meet your child’s specialist team.
North Kansas City, Leawood, Country Club Plaza, and Lee’s Summit, all served by the same board-certified team, ready when you are.