About Us
Welcome to Little Roots Pediatric Dentistry
Care rooted in kindness and trust
Little Roots was founded on a simple belief: every child deserves dental care that feels kind, honest, and genuinely comfortable. We take the time to build real relationships with the kids and families we serve, because we know that trust is what makes all the difference, especially at the dentist. From our comfort-focused office to our thoughtful approach to care for children of all needs, everything here is designed with your family in mind.
Meet the doctor behind Little Roots Pediatric Dentistry
Get to know Dr. Marissa Dziepak
Rooted in Bartlett
Dr. Marissa Dziepak is a board-certified pediatric dentist who grew up right here in Bartlett, and opening Little Roots in her hometown is something she has been a longtime dream! Her connection to this community runs deep, and it shows in the way she approaches every patient relationship.
A Lifelong Passion for Working With Children
Long before becoming a dentist, Dr. Marissa loved spending time with kids. From coaching to tutoring, caring for children has always come naturally to her. That passion continued to grow and ultimately led her to pediatric dentistry, where she gets to build trust with children and families every single day.
Education & Training
Dr. Marissa earned her Bachelor of Sciences in Neuroscience and Chemistry from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, then went on to receive her Doctorate of Dental Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, graduating with honors. She completed her pediatric dentistry residency at Children's Hospital Colorado, where she served as Chief Resident.
Care Philosophy
With nearly a decade of experience and board certification in Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Marissa brings a care philosophy rooted in kindness, transparency, and comfort. She is especially committed to helping children feel genuinely at ease, because she believes that a positive experience at the dentist early in life makes all the difference.
Professional Memberships
She remains dedicated to continuing education and is an active member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, the Illinois Society of Pediatric Dentists, and the American Dental Association, staying current so her patients always receive the most thoughtful, evidence-based care available.
Life Outside the Office
Outside the office, Dr. Marissa loves to cook, read, and travel with her husband and daughters. She started Little Roots because she wanted to build something rooted in the values she holds closest: kindness, innovation, utmost care, and transparency. That vision shapes everything we do at Little Roots Pediatric Dentistry, and we’d love to help your child build a lifetime of healthy, confident smiles.
The people who make visits brighter
A team that helps families feel right at home
At Little Roots, every member of our team is here because they genuinely love working with kids and families. We show up to every appointment ready to listen, take our time, and make sure both you and your child leave feeling good about the experience.
Helpful information for new families
Your child’s first visit at Little Roots Pediatric Dentistry
We believe every child deserves a positive dental experience from the very beginning. Your child’s first visit is about more than just a cleaning. It is an opportunity to build trust, create comfort, and help your child feel confident about visiting the dentist for years to come.
Our team takes the time to get to know your child, understand their personality and comfort level, and create an experience tailored to their needs. Whether your child is naturally outgoing, nervous, shy, or visiting the dentist for the very first time, we focus on making each appointment calm, encouraging, and enjoyable.
Parents can expect clear and honest communication every step of the way. We believe in educating families, answering questions thoroughly, and helping you feel informed and confident about your child’s oral health and development.
From a welcoming environment to gentle care and compassionate communication, our goal is to create a dental home where children feel safe, supported, and excited to return.
What to Expect
Depending on your child’s age and needs, the first visit may include:
- A gentle dental exam
- Digital x-rays if needed
- Professional cleaning
- Fluoride treatment
- Evaluation of growth and development
- Oral hygiene education and prevention tips
- Time to answer any questions you may have
Our focus is always on helping your child feel comfortable while creating healthy habits that last a lifetime.
What to Bring
To help make check-in smooth, please bring the following to your child's first visit:
We look forward to welcoming your family and creating healthy, happy smiles together.
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When should kids visit the dentist for the first time?
We recommend every child to come for their first visit by age 1 or when their first tooth comes in. You may be thinking, “why so early?”
Parents are often doing a great job, but we don’t know what we don’t know. At Little Roots, we are here to review daily habits, diet, and routines and then create plans that bring you closer to optimal oral health and to know what the road ahead looks like as they grow!
We complete a exam of your child's teeth, gums, and overall oral health. First appointments for young ones are often more for the parents than for the child. The earlier your child builds experience at the dentist means more exposure for your child to build trust and easy with dental visits, ensuring healthy smiles from the start. If an emergency happens, we have built that rapport to help your child!
It is common for some kids to be upset at their first couple dental appointments until we can build trust and make them comfortable. With our specialized team, kid-friendly office, and comfort menu, we are ready with many tricks to make your child as happy and as comfortable as possible!
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Details that support a better visit
At Little Roots Pediatric Dentistry, every detail of our office is designed with your child’s comfort, safety, and experience in mind. From a welcoming, kid-friendly environment to advanced technology and gentle treatment approaches, we focus on creating visits that feel positive, comfortable, and stress-free for both children and parents.
We thoughtfully combine modern pediatric dental technology with compassionate care to support efficient, minimally invasive treatment whenever possible. Our goal is to help children feel at ease, build confidence during dental visits, and create healthy experiences that last a lifetime.
Calm & Comfort Amenities
TVs with headphones above every chair give kids a familiar, calming distraction during treatment so they can focus on something they enjoy instead of what's happening around them.
Sensory-friendly spaces
The Little Roots experience starts before your child ever sits in the chair. Sensory play in the waiting room helps kids decompress and arrive at their appointment already feeling a little more at ease.
Positive reinforcement & rewards
The small things matter. Coloring, toys, and prizes help children walk away from every visit with a positive feeling, because good associations early on make a real difference over a lifetime of dental care.
Gentle numbing technology
Getting numb is often the part kids dread most. Our advanced anesthetic delivery technology allows Dr. Marissa to numb more comfortably and precisely, helping your child feel numb quickly while reducing anxiety around treatment.
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Anxiety-reducing sedation options
For children who need extra support to feel calm, we offer laughing gas routinely, along with oral conscious sedation and IV/general anesthesia when appropriate. Every decision is made with your child's comfort and safety in mind.
Conservative treatment approaches
Dr. Marissa's first instinct is always the most conservative approach. Silver Diamine Fluoride and other minimally invasive techniques let us address concerns effectively while keeping the experience as gentle as possible.
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Inclusive care for every child
Every child is welcome at Little Roots. We take the time to understand what each child needs to feel safe, and we adapt our approach so no family ever feels like an afterthought.
Esthetic pediatric restorations
When a crown is needed, we use zirconia crowns for their durability, natural appearance, and biocompatibility, because restorative care should meet the same high standard as everything else we do.
Rooted in our community
Dr. Marissa grew up in Bartlett, and her ties to this community go far beyond the walls of the practice. Little Roots is actively involved in local outreach and community partnerships because we believe that a healthy smile is just the beginning. Our goal is to be a practice that families in Bartlett and the surrounding suburbs can count on, both in the chair and in the community.
