Athens Area Pediatric Dentistry

Athens Area Pediatric Dentistry Safe Sedation Dentistry for Your Child's Special Needs Dr. John T. Let’s redefine what it means to go to the dentist. 💚💙

Hansford, DMD
🦷 Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist & Dental Anesthesiologist
📍 Watkinsville, GA | Owner of Athens Area Pediatric Dentistry

I'm Dr. John Hansford, a dual board-certified pediatric dentist and dental anesthesiologist, committed to making dental care safe, accessible, and compassionate—especially for children and patients with special needs who can’t get treatment elsewhere. With advanced training in anesthesia, I specialize in helping even the most anxious or medically complex patients receive care comfortably. I lecture and consult internationally on topics like systemic diseases, dental anesthesia, and special care dentistry, and I take pride in mentoring the next generation of dental professionals. At our family-run practice in Watkinsville, we’re not just treating teeth—we’re creating positive dental experiences for kids and peace of mind for parents. Outside the office, I enjoy singing karaoke, taking improv classes, spending time with my family, and geeking out over Adventure Time.

🦷✨ A Brave First Visit! ✨🦷Last week we had the pleasure of welcoming this sweet little guy for his first visit to the de...
03/09/2026

🦷✨ A Brave First Visit! ✨🦷

Last week we had the pleasure of welcoming this sweet little guy for his first visit to the dentist! 💙

He was curious, playful, and so excited to explore the office and meet Dr. Hansford. From checking out the play area to saying hello to our team, he handled his visit like a true champ! 👏

Early dental visits are a wonderful way for children to become familiar with the dental environment, helping them feel comfortable and confident as they grow.

We love meeting our newest little patients and helping them start their journey toward a lifetime of healthy smiles. 😄

✨ Volunteer / Shadower Spotlight ✨Meet Juhee Patel! 🦷💙Juhee is a third-year pre-dental student at the University of Geor...
03/06/2026

✨ Volunteer / Shadower Spotlight ✨

Meet Juhee Patel! 🦷💙

Juhee is a third-year pre-dental student at the University of Georgia majoring in Biomedical Physiology, and she has been spending time with us at Athens Area Pediatric Dentistry as a volunteer and shadower.

She has a strong passion for outreach and community service, recently traveling to Peru with VAW Global on a dental outreach trip — an experience that further fueled her interest in dentistry and helping others. 🌎🦷

During her time with Dr. Hansford and our team, Juhee has been learning about the importance of patience, communication, and building trust when caring for young patients — key elements of pediatric dentistry.

We love seeing future dental professionals grow and explore their passion for patient care, and we’re so happy to be part of Juhee’s journey. 💫

We can’t wait to see all the amazing things she accomplishes in the future!

03/05/2026

🎉 Birthday Week at Athens Area Pediatric Dentistry! 🎉

This week we’re celebrating two amazing members of our team — Anna and Maritza! 🥳🦷

Anna keeps the office running smoothly (and somehow keeps the rest of us organized!), while Maritza greets our families with a smile and helps make every visit feel welcoming from the moment you walk through the door. 💙

We’re so lucky to have both of them on our team and hope their birthdays are filled with lots of cake, laughter, and maybe even a little time away from answering phones! 🎂🎈

Join us in wishing Anna and Maritza a very happy birthday! 🎉

03/04/2026

“Why does my child have SO many cavities?”

Baby teeth have thinner enamel than adult teeth, which means decay can develop faster.

That’s why it’s not unusual for kids to go from no cavities… to several at once.

Dr. Hansford explains why this happens in pediatric dentistry.

📍 Athens Area Pediatric Dentistry
📞 (706) 769-1994

✨ Volunteer / Shadower Spotlight of the Week ✨Meet Kenia Ojeda! 💙🦷Kenia is a Dental Assisting student at Athens Technica...
02/27/2026

✨ Volunteer / Shadower Spotlight of the Week ✨

Meet Kenia Ojeda! 💙🦷

Kenia is a Dental Assisting student at Athens Technical College and is currently completing her training while gaining hands-on experience here at Athens Area Pediatric Dentistry.

Under the guidance of Dr. Hansford, she’s learning new skills every day and building a strong foundation for her future in dentistry. What we love most? Her passion for patient care and her positive attitude. 👏

Kenia is dedicated to excellence, eager to grow, and committed to serving our patients with compassion and professionalism. We’re proud to be part of her journey as she develops into the next generation of dental professionals. 💫

Help us cheer Kenia on as she continues learning and making a difference! 💙

🌈✨ SMILE OF THE WEEK ✨🌈Meet Evelys (9) & Emyvett (5) — our dynamic sister duo! 💚🦷These two brightened our day with their...
02/26/2026

🌈✨ SMILE OF THE WEEK ✨🌈
Meet Evelys (9) & Emyvett (5) — our dynamic sister duo! 💚🦷

These two brightened our day with their sweet smiles, positive energy, and a whole lot of personality! We love seeing siblings support each other — especially when it comes to taking care of their teeth. 💕

Fun fact for parents:
When siblings brush together, they’re more likely to build healthy habits that last a lifetime! 🪥✨ Make brushing a family routine — it makes it more fun and more consistent.

Evelys and Emyvett, keep shining and keep smiling! 🌈💚

02/18/2026

When should your child first see a dentist? 🦷

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children see a dentist within 6 months of the first tooth erupting — or by age 1, whichever comes first.

Yes… that early.

Why?

🦷 Baby teeth are vulnerable to cavities as soon as they appear
🦷 Early visits help prevent problems before they start
🦷 Parents receive guidance on brushing, diet, and habits
🦷 Kids build comfort and confidence in the dental setting

The first visit is simple, gentle, and focused on prevention and education — not treatment.

If your child has a tooth and hasn’t seen a dentist yet, this is your reminder.

📍 Athens Area Pediatric Dentistry
📞 (706) 769-1994

✨ SMILE OF THE WEEK: Ezra! ✨Say hello to Ezra — our awesome patient since August 2024! 🦷💙We love watching our patients g...
02/17/2026

✨ SMILE OF THE WEEK: Ezra! ✨

Say hello to Ezra — our awesome patient since August 2024! 🦷💙

We love watching our patients grow, gain confidence, and take pride in their healthy smiles. Ezra has been doing an amazing job taking care of his teeth, and it shows! 👏✨

🦷 Fun Tooth Fact:
Did you know kids usually start losing their baby teeth around age 6? Those baby teeth aren’t “just temporary” — they hold space for permanent teeth and guide them into the right position. That’s why keeping them clean (and flossed!) is so important!

Keep smiling, Ezra — we’re so proud of you! 😁

✨ Meet Our Shadower: Anushka! ✨We’re excited to introduce Anushka Dave, a Pre-Health student majoring in Public Health a...
02/13/2026

✨ Meet Our Shadower: Anushka! ✨

We’re excited to introduce Anushka Dave, a Pre-Health student majoring in Public Health at the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs! 🐶❤️)

Anushka has been shadowing Dr. Hansford and gaining a deeper understanding of pediatric dentistry — a field she was unfamiliar with before joining us. She’s been learning firsthand about pediatric care, patient safety, and what it truly means to create a positive dental experience for children.

She shares that she’s especially grateful for the welcoming environment our team creates and is excited to see how this experience helps her grow as a future healthcare professional.

We love supporting future providers and being part of their journey. 💙

🦷 Baby Teeth Lay the Foundation 🏗️Baby teeth aren’t “just going to fall out anyway.”They are the foundation for your chi...
02/11/2026

🦷 Baby Teeth Lay the Foundation 🏗️

Baby teeth aren’t “just going to fall out anyway.”
They are the foundation for your child’s lifelong oral health.

Primary teeth play a critical role in:

✨ Proper speech development
✨ Healthy chewing and nutrition
✨ Guiding permanent teeth into the correct position
✨ Building confidence through a healthy smile

When baby teeth are lost too early due to cavities or infection, it can affect alignment, spacing, and even future orthodontic needs.

Taking care of baby teeth today protects adult smiles tomorrow. 💙

Have questions about your child’s dental development? We’re here to help.

🎄Only 8 days ’til Christmas and Hermey the Elf is already getting into the holiday spirit… and maybe into a little troub...
12/17/2025

🎄Only 8 days ’til Christmas and Hermey the Elf is already getting into the holiday spirit… and maybe into a little trouble too 😬

He said he brought Mint Oreos to share… but we should’ve known better. That’s not cream filling — it’s toothpaste! 🫠🦷
Let’s just say, he’s staying minty fresh for Santa.

✨ Office Holiday Party 2025 🎉We wrapped up an incredible year with a dinner party at .alegre.seafood — surrounded by go...
12/17/2025

✨ Office Holiday Party 2025 🎉
We wrapped up an incredible year with a dinner party at .alegre.seafood — surrounded by good food, great laughs, and the amazing people who make Athens Area Pediatric Dentistry feel like a second home. 💚💙

This year, we celebrated the milestones, the challenges we’ve overcome, and most importantly, each other. From honoring our long-standing team members to welcoming the new faces who’ve already made such a big impact — we are so grateful for the tight-knit work family we’ve built. Every single person in these photos plays a vital role in helping us provide the best possible care to our patients.

2025 was a big year: our office got a fresh new look, we welcomed many new patients into our care, and deepened our bond with the families who trust us year after year. Your support means everything to us, and we can’t wait to continue growing and caring for our community in 2026.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. 💛 Here’s to another year of smiles, service, and connection.

Address

1091 Park Drive, Suite A
New York, NY
30677

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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