Vacaville, CA – December 21, 2025 – A local dentist’s own childhood anxieties fuel her dedication to creating positive experiences for young patients. Dr. Katie Wright, who has spent the last nine years at Kids Care Dental and Orthodontics at 196 Nut Tree Parkway, is making Solano County smiles brighter, one gentle visit at a time.
- Dr. Wright initially planned to become a pediatrician.
- Negative childhood dental experiences motivated her to prioritize patient comfort.
- Kids Care Dental utilizes modern tools and distractions to ease anxiety.
- She emphasizes treating the whole child, not just the tooth.
- Dr. wright has built lasting relationships with patients over nearly a decade.
Dr. Wright originally envisioned a career in pediatrics, fueled by a lifelong love of medicine and healthcare. “I always loved medicine and healthcare and I originally thought that I would be going into medical school, I was interested in being a pediatrician,” she said.However, a job shadowing experience with a family friend working as a dentist sparked a change in direction.
Interestingly, Dr. Wright’s path to dentistry wasn’t always straightforward.She confessed to having negative experiences at the dentist as a child, experiences that initially made her apprehensive.”I always dreaded it, and I still remember being in the chair and just feeling so scared seeing the needle before thay gave me a shot,” she said.
What can dentists do to alleviate childhood dental anxiety? Dr. Wright believes her past experiences are a driving force in her commitment to providing empathetic and high-quality care. “I still chicken out going to my own dental appointments because I have that past negative experience,” she admitted.
Pediatric dental care, according to Dr. Wright, is fundamentally about building trust with children and their families. Kids Care Dental strives to create a welcoming environment,offering amenities like TVs in the ceiling,noise-cancelling headphones,and laughing gas to help patients relax. She also highlighted the advancements in dental technology, allowing for less invasive procedures than in the past.
Dr. Wright’s approach extends beyond simply addressing dental issues. She prioritizes the overall well-being of her young patients. “I focus on ‘not necessarily what’s best for this tooth, but what’s best for this child,’ when making treatment decisions,” she explained. the practice embraces a playful atmosphere, utilizing “prizes and balloons and bribes and everything like that” to create a positive association with dental visits.
While the company has evolved over the years, Dr. Wright emphasized the enduring strength of the team. “We have just a fantastic team of people who work here and who have been here for years and years with me,” she said. “We truly love what we do, and I think that comes across in how we interact with our parents and how we take care of our parents.”
Over the course of her nine years at Kids Care Dental,Dr. Wright has had the rewarding experience of watching patients grow from elementary school through high school. “We’ve gotten to see these kids grow up, which is just so special,” she said. Despite caring for approximately 1,500-2,000 patients, she maintains a personal connection with each one. “I really do remember my patients,” she shared.”It’s kind of like my first child is this office and all these patients, and they all have such a special spot in my heart.”
Kids Care Dental serves families from Dixon, Winters, Fairfield, and Benicia, drawing patients from surrounding areas due to its strong reputation. “We’re just so lucky to be in this area,” Dr. Wright said. “I have the best pool of patients that I could ask for, and it’s a hodgepodge of so many areas.”
