Just Kidz Dentistry

What Just Kidz Dentistry does

Just Kidz Dentistry is a privately held pediatric dental practice operating two clinical locations in Peoria and Washington, Illinois, serving infants, children, adolescents, and young adults (up to age 26) across the Greater Peoria market. Founded in 2003 by Christa Y. Spates, DDS, the practice offers a comprehensive pediatric service portfolio spanning preventive care (cleanings, exams, sealants, fluoride, digital X-rays, oral hygiene education, sports mouth guards), restorative procedures (composite fillings, crowns, pulpotomies, space maintainers, extractions), and specialized services including special needs dentistry, teen dentistry, tongue and lip tie laser frenectomy, pregnancy-related oral health guidance, and emergency dental care. The practice differentiates on clinical technology through adoption of the Solea® FDA-approved computer-controlled dental laser, which enables virtually pain-free, often anesthesia-free procedures that are particularly valuable for anxious pediatric and special-needs patients.

The business operates on a direct-to-consumer, fee-for-service model, accepting most dental insurance plans, cash, credit cards, and CareCredit financing, and offers an in-house dental plan for uninsured patients. Patient acquisition is driven by community outreach (school dental education programs reaching 2,600-2,800 children annually), local charity sponsorships (Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum, Operation Gratitude, Crittenton Centers), a multi-lingual clinical and front-desk team (English, Spanish, French, Tamil, Telugu), and digital presence via Facebook, Instagram, Google reviews, and SMS. Following founder Dr. Spates' retirement in 2025, the practice transitioned to a three-dentist leadership team (Dr. Jack Kalloch, Dr. Sabeen Hafeez, and Dr. Aarrthi S. Krishnan). No institutional investment, private equity backing, or parent company ownership has been disclosed; the ownership structure appears to be independent practice ownership. The firm has 11-50 employees including clinical, administrative, and PR functions across both locations.

Name

Just Kidz Dentistry

Legal name

Just Kidz Dentistry

Website

https://justkidzdentistry.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Just Kidz Dentistry is a privately held pediatric dental practice operating two locations in Peoria and Washington, Illinois, serving infants through young adults (up to age 26) with preventive, restorative, and specialized dental services including Solea® Laser procedures.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pediatric Dental Services

NAICS

Offices of Dentists (62121), Offices of Dentists (621210)

SIC

Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011)

akta.pro primary industry

Pediatric Dentistry Group Practices (HLABAKAD)

Keywords

• Pediatric dental care
• Preventive dentistry services
• Restorative dental procedures
• Special needs dentistry
• Tongue lip tie treatment

Headquarters

HQ city

Peoria

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Fee-for-Service Dental Care: The practice generates revenue through patient visits and dental procedures, operating on a fee-for-service basis. It accepts most dental insurance plans, cash, credit cards, and CareCredit® financing. An in-house dental plan is also offered for uninsured patients.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Just Kidz Dentistry is a pediatric dental practice providing comprehensive dental care for infants, children, adolescents, and young adults (up to age 26) across two locations in Peoria and Washington, Illinois. The practice delivers preventive, restorative, emergency, and specialized pediatric services including cleanings, sealants, fillings, crowns, pulpotomies, space maintainers, special needs dentistry, teen dentistry, and tongue/lip tie laser treatment. Differentiated offerings include Solea® Laser procedures (often performed without anesthesia), digital X-rays with reduced radiation, and bilingual English-Spanish service.

Product overview

Just Kidz Dentistry is a pediatric dental practice serving infants, children, and adolescents in Peoria and Washington, Illinois, since 2003. The practice operates as a service-based dental care provider offering a comprehensive suite of preventive, restorative, and specialized dental treatments. The core service portfolio centers on preventive care (dental cleanings, exams, sealants, fluoride treatments, digital X-rays), restorative procedures (fillings, crowns, pulpotomies, space maintainers, tooth extractions), and specialized services (special needs dentistry, teen dentistry, tongue/lip tie treatment, emergency care, and first dental checkups). The practice differentiates through technology adoption, specifically the Solea Laser system for minimally invasive procedures. Patient management includes online forms via Modento and flexible payment options through CareCredit. The practice accepts patients up to age 26 and provides services in English and Spanish.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Dental Cleanings & Exams Professional dental cleanings performed by hygienists to remove plaque and tartar, combined with comprehensive dentist-led examinations to assess oral health, detect cavities, and monitor dental development in pediatric patients.
• Dental Sealants Protective coatings applied to chewing surfaces of molars and premolars to block food particles and bacteria, preventing tooth decay for up to 10 years in children.
• Digital X-Rays Digital radiography capturing detailed images of teeth and jaw with up to 90% less radiation than traditional film X-rays, enabling immediate diagnosis and treatment planning for pediatric patients.
• Fluoride Treatment Application of concentrated fluoride to strengthen tooth enamel, reverse early signs of tooth decay, and provide cavity protection for children during routine dental visits.
• Oral Hygiene Education Patient and parent education on proper brushing, flossing, and at-home oral care routines to maintain optimal oral health between dental visits for children.
• Pregnancy & Oral Health Dental care and guidance for expectant mothers addressing hormone-related gum sensitivity, pregnancy gingivitis, and early oral health care for babies.
• Custom Sports Mouth Guards Custom-fitted protective devices individually shaped to the patient's teeth to prevent dental injuries including chipped, broken, or knocked-out teeth during athletic activities.
• Dental Fillings Restorative treatment using tooth-colored composite materials to repair teeth damaged by decay or fracture, performed using Solea® Laser technology for precision and comfort.
• Pulpotomy Baby root canal procedure that removes infected or damaged pulp from a primary tooth while preserving healthy pulp tissue, relieving pain and saving the tooth until natural exfoliation.
• Space Maintainers Custom dental appliances that preserve space in the mouth when baby teeth are lost prematurely, preventing misalignment and ensuring proper eruption of permanent teeth.
• Tooth Extractions Removal of severely damaged or decayed teeth using gentle techniques and anesthesia to ensure comfort during the procedure for pediatric patients.
• Dental Crowns Custom-made caps that cover and protect damaged, cracked, or severely decayed teeth, restoring shape, size, strength, and appearance for pediatric patients.
• Solea® Laser Dentistry FDA-approved computer-controlled dental laser technology performing procedures with less discomfort, minimal noise, and faster healing than traditional dental drills, often without anesthesia.
• Special Needs Dentistry Personalized dental care for children with developmental, medical, physical, sensory, or behavioral needs, featuring extended appointments, gentle communication, and sensory-friendly environments.
• Teen Dentistry Age-appropriate dental care for teenagers emphasizing preventive care, oral hygiene education, and monitoring of tooth and jaw development through adolescence.
• Tongue & Lip Tie Treatment (Frenectomies) Gentle laser treatment to release tight tissue under the tongue or upper lip affecting feeding, speech, and oral function in infants and children.
• First Dental Checkup Introductory dental visit for children focusing on building comfort with the dental office, gentle oral examination, and parent education on home care practices.
• Emergency Dental Care Urgent dental services for children experiencing dental emergencies including severe tooth pain, chipped or broken teeth, knocked-out teeth, and dental injuries from falls or accidents.
• Caring for Children's Teeth Comprehensive oral health care program for children including exams, cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealants, and education to support healthy smile development from early childhood through adolescence.

Quantifiable outcome

• Served children in the Greater Peoria area since 2003
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• OSF Healthcare and Mosaic Community ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025Collaborated on the 'Sweet Summertime Event' in May 2025, providing community health outreach alongside OSF Healthcare and Mosaic Community Church.
• American Heart AssociationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2016Served as Peoria Heart Walk Kid Zone Sponsor in September 2016.
• United WayminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2016Participated in the United Way Superhero 5K ATS in August 2016.
• Richwoods High School and Jack and Jill of AmericaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2016Jeans for Teens 2016 drive collecting gently used denim for local teens in need at both office locations to support Richwoods High School and Jack and Jill of America.
• Operation GratitudeminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2015Halloween Candy Buy Back program sends candy collected from patients to Operation Gratitude for soldiers serving overseas. Practice pays $1.00 per pound of candy.
• Susan G. KomenminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2015Halloween Candy Buy Back program donates $1.00 per pound of candy to Susan G. Komen in addition to sending candy to Operation Gratitude.
• Children's Hospital of Illinois and Neighborhood HouseminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2015Annual 'Toys Teddys' drive collecting new toys and teddy bears for Santa Bill at Children's Hospital of Illinois and Neighborhood House.
• Peoria PlayHouse Children's MuseumminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJust Kidz Dentistry participates in the Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum's annual 'Be Anything Career Event' and helped create and continues to support the 'Tot Town Dental Office' exhibit on the museum's lower level.
• Crittenton CentersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Crittenton Centers to support their annual community events including the 'Stocking Stuffer Store' and 'Baby Brunch,' helping families and children across Central Illinois.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Sage Dental: Multi-location dental group practice with general and specialty services across the southeastern U.S. Comparable as a broader incumbent offering pediatric-adjacent services and competing for the same family demographic.
• MB2 Dental: Dental partnership organization supporting hundreds of affiliated practices across the U.S. Comparable as a major DSO competitor that competes with independents for dentists, hygienists, and patients in shared geographies.
• Heartland Dental: Largest U.S. dental support organization, providing non-clinical support to a wide network of dental offices (predominantly general dentistry). Comparable as a competitor for hygienists and dentists in the same local market and a representative of the DSO model shaping the industry.
• Pacific Dental Services: Major DSO supporting general and specialty dental practices across the U.S. Comparable as a broad incumbent shaping reimbursement dynamics, hiring pools, and supply economics that affect independent pediatric practices like Just Kidz.
• Great Expressions Dental Centers: Multi-location dental group practice operator with general, specialty, and pediatric service lines. Comparable as a scaled competitor in family/pediatric dentistry and a representative of the broader DSO competitive landscape.
• Benevis (Kool Smiles): Large U.S. dental support organization focused on pediatric and orthodontic care, historically operating the Kool Smiles brand. Comparable as a scaled pediatric dental operator; represents the consolidation model that Just Kidz could either partner with or compete against.
• Smile Generation: Network of dental practices supported by Pacific Dental Services, with a strong family and pediatric service orientation. Comparable as a multi-location, family-focused dental brand that competes with Just Kidz for parents in shared markets.

Direct peers

• Children's Dental Health: Multi-location pediatric dental group practice operating across the Mid-Atlantic and other U.S. regions. Directly comparable to Just Kidz as a pediatric-only, multi-office dental practice offering preventive, restorative, and special-needs care for children.
• Kool Smiles: Pediatric-focused dental brand historically operating under Benevis, serving children and families on a fee-for-service and Medicaid basis. Directly comparable to Just Kidz in patient demographic and core service mix, with a similar community-oriented positioning.

Emerging players

• Smile Doctors: Largest U.S. orthodontic-focused DSO with a growing pediatric and cross-specialty presence. Comparable as a scaled, specialty-focused dental operator that intersects with Just Kidz's adolescent and interceptive orthodontic-adjacent services (e.g., space maintainers).

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/justkidzdentistry
• Instagraminstagram.com/justkidzdentistry
• Xx.com/JustKidzDentist

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Just Kidz Dentistry