Sparkling Charms Dentistry FAQs
Sparkling Charms Dentistry FAQs give Baltimore parents straight answers about Medicaid coverage, Saturday appointments, anxious children, and special healthcare needs before they ever pick up the phone. We built this page from the questions our front desk hears every single day.
Our practice sits in Federal Hill and serves families across Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Anne Arundel County. Dr. Irene Spates leads pediatric care as a board certified pediatric dentist. Dr. Kheri-Ann Robinson leads adult care.
Sparkling Charms Dentistry FAQs About Cost, Insurance, and Medicaid
Money is the first thing most parents want settled. These Sparkling Charms Dentistry FAQs cover coverage and billing.
Do you accept Medicaid?
Yes. We accept Medicaid through the Maryland Healthy Smiles Dental Program for both children and adults. Many Baltimore practices limit how many Medicaid patients they take. We do not treat it as an afterthought.
Is Maryland Healthy Smiles the same thing as Medicaid?
Maryland Healthy Smiles is the dental benefit that runs alongside Maryland Medicaid. If your child has Medicaid or MCHP, their dental coverage almost always runs through Healthy Smiles. You can check eligibility and covered services on the Maryland Healthy Smiles Dental Program site.
Do you take my private dental insurance?
Coverage varies by plan and by year, so call our office at (443) 681-6455 and we will verify your benefits before you come in. We would rather tell you exactly where you stand than have you find out at checkout.
How much does a cleaning cost?
Cost depends on your coverage, your child’s age, and what the exam finds. Call us and we will walk you through it in plain numbers. No one at Sparkling Charms will start treatment without you knowing what it involves first.
Can adults use Medicaid here too?
Yes. Dr. Robinson sees adult patients and we accept Medicaid for adult care as well. Parents who bring their kids in often become patients themselves.
Do I need insurance to book a first visit?
No. You can book without insurance. Call our office and tell us your situation so we can explain your options before your appointment.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Bring your insurance or Medicaid card, a photo ID, and any dental records from a previous practice if you have them. If your child takes medication or has a medical condition we should know about, bring that information too.
Sparkling Charms Dentistry FAQs About First Visits, Anxiety, and Special Needs
This is the section most parents actually came for. These Sparkling Charms Dentistry FAQs deal with fear, first times, and kids who need a different approach.
When should my child first see a dentist?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a first dental visit by the first birthday or within six months of the first tooth appearing. Early visits are short, gentle, and mostly about getting your child comfortable in the chair.
What happens at a first visit?
We keep it calm and unhurried. Your child meets the team, we count teeth, we do a gentle cleaning if they are ready, and we explain everything to you as we go. Nothing happens without you understanding why.
My child is terrified of the dentist. What do you do differently?
We go at your child’s pace instead of ours. Our office was designed with kids in mind, including ceiling TVs and calming decor, and our team is trained to work with children who are scared or overwhelmed. Parents tell us their child left smiling after years of dreading dental visits.
Do you treat children with special healthcare needs?
Yes, and this is one of our strongest areas. Dr. Spates is certified in caring for children with special healthcare needs, and our whole team adapts each visit to a child’s sensory, behavioral, and communication needs. Families who have struggled to find dental care elsewhere are welcome here.
Do you offer sedation for anxious children?
We do offer sedation dentistry for children who cannot get through a visit with standard comfort techniques. We treat it as an option for children who genuinely need it, never as a shortcut. Every sedation decision starts with a consultation and a full conversation with you.
What if my child had a bad experience at another dentist?
Tell us about it when you call. We hear this constantly, and knowing what went wrong last time helps us plan a visit that goes differently. Nobody at Sparkling Charms will rush or shame a child who is already scared.
Sparkling Charms Dentistry FAQs About Hours, Emergencies, and Getting Here
Access matters as much as care. These Sparkling Charms Dentistry FAQs cover when we are open and how to reach us.
Are you open on Saturdays?
Yes. We are open Saturday from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM, which is unusual for a Baltimore dental practice. Working parents use those slots constantly because they do not require pulling a child out of school.
What are your weekday hours?
Monday 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Tuesday 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Wednesday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Thursday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Friday 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM. We are closed Sunday.
Do you see dental emergencies?
Yes, for both children and adults, including Saturdays. Call (443) 681-6455 as soon as something happens and we will tell you what is available. A knocked out tooth or sudden severe pain should never wait until Monday.
Where are you located?
Our office is at 887 E. Fort Avenue in Federal Hill, Baltimore, MD 21230, close to Riverside Park and a short drive from the Inner Harbor and Interstate 95.
Is there parking?
Yes. We have reserved parking on site, so you are not circling Fort Avenue looking for a space with a toddler in the back seat.
Which areas do you serve?
We see families from across Baltimore City including Federal Hill, Riverside, Canton, Fells Point, Pigtown, Hampden, and Locust Point, plus Baltimore County communities like Dundalk, Towson, Parkville, and Essex, and Anne Arundel County towns like Glen Burnie and Linthicum Heights.
Sparkling Charms Dentistry FAQs About Our Dentists and Services
Credentials and scope. These Sparkling Charms Dentistry FAQs explain who treats you and what we offer.
Who are the dentists?
Dr. Irene Spates, DMD, owns the practice and leads pediatric care. Dr. Kheri-Ann Robinson, DMD, leads adult care and completed a General Practice Residency at BronxCare Health System in New York City.
Is Dr. Spates an actual pediatric specialist?
Yes. Dr. Spates completed her pediatric dentistry certification at the University of Maryland and is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the Maryland Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. That is different from a general dentist who happens to see children.
Do you treat adults?
Yes. Dr. Robinson provides cleanings, exams, restorative treatment, and emergency care for adults. Whole families see us at one address, which saves parents a second commute.
Do you offer clear aligners?
Yes. Dr. Robinson offers Candid clear aligners for adult patients who want to straighten their teeth without traditional metal braces. Consultations are low pressure.
Do you correct tongue and lip ties?
Yes. We evaluate and correct tongue and lip ties in infants and children, which many general practices do not offer. Untreated ties can affect feeding, speech, and oral development, so evaluation is the right first step.
Do you offer options without fluoride?
Yes. We offer both fluoride treatments and fluoride free alternatives, and we support whatever choice you make for your child. We give you real information instead of pressure in either direction.
Are you part of a corporate dental chain?
No. Sparkling Charms is family owned and community rooted. We were named to TopDentists in 2025 and again in 2026, and we have hundreds of five star Google reviews from Baltimore families.
Still have a question?
Call our Federal Hill office at (443) 681-6455 and talk to a real person, or book your appointment online. Saturday appointments available 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM.