Welcome to Belmont Pediatric Dentistry! Our practice specializes in treating the most important members of the family, the children. We understand that choosing health care providers for your children is an important decision, and it is a privilege for us to be a part of your health care team.
Our goal is to provide your children with beautiful smiles that last, in a safe and inviting dental environment they will look forward to visiting. We hope to provide a fun, educational, and positive experience for all of our patients. We also believe in a team approach to children’s dental health, and you as parents are a vital part of the team. We encourage you to be an active participant in each visit, often by joining us in the treatment area so that we can address any questions and concerns about your child’s dental health. As your child’s dentist, we will provide all the necessary information to make an informed decision about any treatment we recommend.
Please browse our website and send us a message, give us a call, or just stop by our office to schedule a visit. We look forward to meeting both you and your family soon!
In order to practice Pediatric Dentistry, a dentist must complete two to three years of specialized training following dental school and limit their practice to treating children. Pediatric Dentistry starts at age one and continues to follow the oral health, growth, and development of children through their teenage years. Pediatric Dentists are also specially trained to provide care to patients with special needs. At Belmont Pediatric Dentistry, our child dentists are specially trained to ensure that early dental experiences help your child build confidence and knowledge, establishing a great precedent for their future dental health.
The needs of infants, children, preteens, and teens will vary greatly and therefore require different strategies in managing their acceptance of treatment, guiding their dental growth and development, and helping them avoid future dental problems. Pediatric Dentists are best qualified in identifying and meeting these needs.
The recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) is that your child should visit a dentist for the first time within six months following the first tooth eruption. Typically, the primary begin eruption around the age of 6 months.
While early treatment is strongly recommended, it is never too late to begin your child’s dental healthcare journey. Our pediatric dentists treat children as young as one year of age all the way to teenagers. Schedule an appointment with one of our pediatric dentistry specialists at Belmont Pediatric Dentistry today!
Dr. Cooke is a pediatric dentist who proudly offers gentle dental care to infants, children, adolescents, and patients with special needs.
Dr. Cooke received his Bachelor of Arts in Music from Duke University, his Master of Science in Biology from East Carolina University and his Doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry. Dr. Cooke knew he wanted to provide children’s dental care and pursued his specialization in pediatric dentistry at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA,
Dr. Cooke’s devotion to caring for his community and those in need led him to participate in service and teaching opportunities both nationally and abroad. He served with various community organizations as a member of a team of dentists and health professionals that provided much-needed treatment to those in the US with limited access to dental care. Dr. Cooke also served in global dental missions, traveling to Florianopolis, Brazil and Lilongwe, Malawi.
Dr. Cooke is a native of Chattanooga, Tennessee. He is an avid Duke basketball fan, and he enjoys sports, music, cooking, and of course traveling with his beautiful wife Beatrice.
Dr. Oscar found his passion for pediatric dentistry while shadowing in college. In dental school, he pursued this passion by participating in clinical rotations focused on children and patients with special needs.
Dr. Oscar earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in 2007 and received his Doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry in 2011. After graduating from dental school, he completed two additional years of advanced training in Pediatric Dentistry at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center in New York. Dr. Oscar is a Board-Certified pediatric dentist and a diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
Dr. Oscar is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and now calls Charlotte home. In his free time, Dr. Oscar enjoys a caramel latte with oat milk from Not Just Coffee, driving around town to look at new construction projects, tasting all the restaurants recommended by Charlotte Agenda, and taking weekend trips.
Improving the lives of children has always been a large passion for Dr. Rutledge. At a young age, he began volunteering with a therapeutic horseback riding program in his hometown of Virginia Beach, VA where he served as a mentor for children with special needs.
Dr. Rutledge attended Clemson University where he received his Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2010 and went on to earn his Doctorate at Virginia Commonwealth University in 2015. Following graduation, Dr. Rutledge moved to San Diego where he completed a two-year postdoctoral program in advanced education in pediatric dentistry through NYU Lutheran Medical Center in conjunction with Rady Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Rutledge grew up in a very active family and sports have always been core outlets for him. In his free time, Dr. Rutledge enjoys traveling, snowboarding, watersports, horseback riding, and playing basketball and soccer.
Dr. Lisa has always had a passion for working with kids and looks forward each day to becoming a child’s dentist and trusted friend.
A native of Charlotte, Dr. Lisa is thrilled to be practicing pediatric dentistry in her hometown! She attended UNC-Chapel Hill for her undergraduate studies and later received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Maryland. After receiving her doctorate, she then completed a pediatric dental residency at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital which is often ranked as one of the top children’s hospitals in the country. As a child’s dentist, Dr. Lisa specializes in treating the dental needs of infants, children, adolescents, and patients with special healthcare needs.
When not treating patients, Dr. Lisa enjoys hiking, sports, cooking, and spending time with her family and friends.
Dr. Stephanie Hukill grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina and is excited to serve her community. She attended Duke University where she graduated with a B.S. in Psychology with a focus on developmental psychology. After graduating from Duke, Dr. Stephanie began her dental training at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor where she received a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. She then continued her specialty training in pediatric dentistry at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. She is a proud alumnus of Cincinnati Children’s which is ranked as one of the top pediatric hospitals in the nation!
Dr. Stephanie is board certified and a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry and the North Carolina Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
When she is not providing children’s dental care, Dr. Stephanie and her husband are busy chasing around their little boy, Luke. They love anything outdoors, traveling, and cheering on Michigan and Duke sports teams!
Fun Fact: Dr. Stephanie and Dr. Lisa are sisters and it has always been their dream to someday practice pediatric dentistry together!
Dr. Monica Patel is very excited to call the Queen City home. She looks forward to bringing happy, healthy smiles to this community.
Dr. Monica attended Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio for her undergraduate education and graduated with honors. She completed her dental school education at the University of Pennsylvania, where she was awarded the Dean’s Scholarship and the Henry B. Robinson Award in restorative dentistry.
She then moved to Columbus, Ohio where she completed her residency training in pediatric dentistry at The Ohio State University and Nationwide Children’s Hospital. While there, she received a Master’s Degree and served as Chief Resident.
When she is not treating patients, Dr. Monica enjoys traveling, cooking, trying new restaurants, yoga and cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buckeyes!
Dr. Cangemi has held lifelong interests in both dentistry and anesthesiology. He completed dental school at the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry, where he received the Grover C. Hunter Jr. Award for academic and clinical excellence in Periodontics. He then completed a residency in Advanced Education in General Dentistry, also at the University of North Carolina. While in private practice he completed his certification in intravenous sedation. Desiring more extensive knowledge in anesthesiology, he sold his practice and entered into an anesthesiology residency and a Masters Program in anesthesiology at Ohio State University.
This comprehensive hospital-based program provided training in all areas of medical anesthesiology. After obtaining a Certificate of Residency in Anesthesiology as well as a Masters Degree in Anesthesiology from Ohio State University, he provides anesthesiology services for General Dentists, Pediatric Dentists, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and other Dental Specialists for a wide variety of dental, pediatric dental, maxillofacial and facial cosmetic surgical procedures.
Dr. Cangemi is a Diplomate of the National Dental Board of Anesthesiology, an American Dental Society of Anesthesiology Fellow, a member of the Anesthesia Advisory Committee and an Anesthesia Examiner for the North Carolina Board of Dental Examiners, an author of publications in dental and anesthesiology journals, and an anesthesia lecturer. He is certified in Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and Basic Life Support.
