About Thistlewood Dental
Thistlewood opened in 2015 on Bramble Lane in Madison. Dr. Maya Okafor started it after years of watching children go quiet in rooms that were built for adults. The cottage does it the other way round: small chairs, low windows, a child guide at the door and parents beside the chair. (608) 555-0129.
The cottage
The clinic is a single-storey building with round windows, a purple door and a garden of thistles by the path. Inside are four small treatment rooms, a waiting room with a toy shelf, and a treasure chest by the door.
We are a pediatric practice. Both dentists completed a residency in pediatric dentistry after dental school, and children are all we see, from a first tooth to the teen years. When a child needs care beyond what we do, we say so and help you find the right office.
Our rules are short. Show, tell, then do. Parents stay in the room. Same gentle faces each visit.
The clinical team
Founding pediatric dentist
Maya grew up in Madison, trained at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry and then completed a residency in pediatric dentistry. She opened Thistlewood in 2015 because she wanted a dental office where a four-year-old could say no to a tool and still feel safe.
Pediatric dentist
Theo joined in 2019 after dental school at the University of Minnesota and a residency in pediatric dentistry. He leads family Saturdays and has a talent for turning a sensory-sensitive first visit into a short, quiet one.
Dental hygienist
Hana has cleaned children's teeth in Madison for nine years. She narrates every step in kid-sized words and gives parents a two-minute home care plan at the end of each visit.
Wes Park, our child guide, is the first face at the door. Wes shows each tool, answers every why, and keeps the visit at your child's pace. Wes also builds your family's home care plan with you.
How the practice works
Madison, Wisconsin
Tell us a little about your child. We reply within one business day, explain exactly what the visit will look like, and you stay in the room the whole time.
| Monday to Thursday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Friday | 8:00 am to 2:00 pm |
| First Saturday of the month | 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, family Saturday |
| Other weekends | Closed |
