Let’s be honest. Most people would rather do literally anything else than sit in a dental chair. There's that specific smell of antiseptic, the high-pitched whir of the drill, and the general anxiety of being told you haven't been flossing enough. But Winning Smiles East Amherst has somehow managed to flip that script for a lot of folks in Western New York. It isn't just a clinic; for many, it’s the place that finally stopped the "dentist-day" tantrums.
Located at 6047 Transit Rd, Suite 101, this office serves a pretty big chunk of the East Amherst and Clarence community. You’ve probably driven past it a dozen times. What’s interesting, though, is how they’ve structured the practice. It's not just a pediatric spot, even though the "cradle to college" branding is everywhere. They’ve branched out into adult dentistry and orthodontics, essentially trying to be a one-stop-shop so parents don't have to drive to three different offices across Buffalo just to get the family’s teeth checked.
What’s the Deal with the "Fun" Environment?
If you walk into a typical doctor's office, you expect beige walls and outdated magazines. Winning Smiles went a completely different direction. They realized that if you can distract a kid with a movie theater or a game room, the battle is half-won before they even see a hygienist.
It sounds like a gimmick. It’s not.
For a child with sensory issues or just high anxiety, having a TV above the chair isn't a luxury—it’s a coping mechanism. The East Amherst location leans heavily into this "Dental Home" concept. They want kids to feel like the office is a familiar place, not a sterile lab. They even have a rewards program where kids earn tokens. It's basically gamifying oral hygiene. Does it work? Well, when was the last time your kid asked to go to the dentist? Exactly.
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The Pediatric Specialists
Pediatric dentists aren't just regular dentists who like kids. They go through two additional years of residency specifically focused on the mouth-development of infants and teenagers. At Winning Smiles, the team—including doctors like Dr. Michael Foley, who founded the practice, and others like Dr. Ashley Acevedo and Dr. Alison Wehde—specializes in this.
They handle the tricky stuff:
- Lip and Tongue Tie Frenectomies: This is huge for newborns having trouble breastfeeding.
- Early Orthodontic Assessments: Catching a bite alignment issue at age 7 instead of 14 can save thousands of dollars and years of headgear later.
- Special Needs Care: They are trained to handle patients with physical or developmental disabilities who might need a more patient, gentle approach or specialized sedation.
Winning Smiles East Amherst for the Grown-ups
It’s a bit of a misconception that this is only for kids. A few years back, they realized that parents were tired of the "hand-off." You drop the kid off, then you have to go to your own appointment across town. Now, they offer Adult Dentistry at the same Transit Road facility.
The vibe for adults is obviously a bit different—fewer balloons, more clinical precision—but the focus on comfort remains. They do the standard stuff like cleanings and fillings, but they also lean into cosmetic and restorative work. We're talking:
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- Invisalign: For the adults who missed the braces boat in middle school or had their teeth shift back.
- Dental Implants: A permanent fix for missing teeth that feels way more natural than a bridge.
- Teeth Whitening: Because Buffalo coffee culture is real, and it stains.
Dr. Andrew Burke and the team on the adult side often deal with more complex restorative cases. It’s a weird relief to know you can get a crown replaced in the same building where your toddler is getting their first check-up.
Let’s Talk About Sedation (Because Anxiety is Real)
Honestly, some of us just can't "white-knuckle" it through a dental procedure. Winning Smiles was actually one of the first practices in Western New York to offer full in-office sedation under general anesthesia.
This is a game-changer for major oral surgery or for children who have a genuine phobia of the chair. They have a Board Certified Dentist Anesthesiologist, Dr. Steve Nguyen, who handles the heavy lifting there. Most offices have to refer you out to a hospital for that kind of thing. Having it in-house at the East Amherst office makes the whole process feel way less "medical emergency" and more "routine care."
The "No-Judgment" Zone
One thing that pops up in a lot of local reviews is the lack of lecturing. You know the feeling—when the hygienist asks if you’ve been flossing while their hands are in your mouth, and you both know you’re lying. The culture at Winning Smiles East Amherst seems to be more about education and "where do we go from here?" rather than making you feel guilty about that cavity.
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Scheduling and the Logistics of Transit Road
If you've ever tried to turn left on Transit Road during rush hour, you know the struggle. The East Amherst office (716-259-1581) is strategically placed, but timing your appointment matters.
- Morning Appointments: They actually recommend these for younger kids. Toddlers are way more resilient at 9:00 AM than they are at 4:00 PM after a long day of daycare.
- Online Forms: They use electronic records. Do yourself a favor and fill these out at home. Nobody wants to juggle a clipboard and a crying three-year-old in a waiting room.
- Insurance: They work with most major providers like Delta Dental, Cigna, and MetLife. But—and this is a big but—always call and verify your specific plan before you show up. Dental insurance is notoriously finicky.
What Most People Get Wrong
A common mistake is waiting too long. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry says a child should see a dentist by their first birthday or when their first tooth pops up. Most parents wait until age three or four. By then, if there’s a hidden issue, it’s already a "problem" instead of a "preventative fix."
Another thing? People assume specialized "boutique" offices like this are way more expensive. While they aren't the "budget" option in town, their pricing is usually competitive with other high-end WNY practices, and they offer financing plans for the bigger stuff like braces or implants.
Actionable Steps for Your First Visit
If you're thinking about switching or taking a kid for the first time, don't just wing it.
- Request a "Happy Visit": If your child is terrified, ask if you can just come in to see the movie theater and meet the staff without any tools touching their mouth. It builds trust.
- Check the Rewards: Ask about the "Winning Smiles Rewards" program. It’s a legitimate motivator for kids to actually brush at home.
- Sync Your Appointments: If you’re an adult patient too, ask if they can coordinate your cleaning with your child’s. It saves a trip.
- Verify the Address: Don't confuse the East Amherst location on Transit with the Amherst office on Sheridan Drive. They are close, but definitely not the same place.
Whether it's the movie theater for the kids or the sedation options for the anxious adults, Winning Smiles East Amherst has basically built a business on the idea that the dentist shouldn't suck. It’s a high bar to hit, but in the Northtowns, they’re the ones currently setting the pace.