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Adventure Dental Vision Orthodontics

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Adventure Dental, Vision and Orthodontics

Menaul Blvd. & San Mateo Blvd.

5000 Menaul Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110
505-872-1212

Kid's Dentist Albuquerque & Vision Care

Hours of Operation

  • Monday - 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM

  • Tuesday - 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM

  • Wednesday - 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM

  • Thursday - 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM

  • Friday - 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM

  • Saturday - Closed

  • Sunday - Closed

OTHER NEARBY LOCATIONS

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Our Featured Providers

Dr. Bernardo Behrens

Vision

Education

University of Houston College of Optometry
Houston, Texas Bachelors and Doctors degree both in Optometry

Dr. Bernardo Behrens

(Dr. Behrens)

Vision

Education

University of Houston College of Optometry
Houston, Texas Bachelors and Doctors degree both in Optometry

Why did you become a optometrist?
I enjoy the preventative eye care field, and I've practiced in very remote areas of Canada with the Indian Opulate for ten years. I've also worked at a USA military base in Germany for five years. I'm pleased and very fortunate to have had these opportunities, and I'm glad to know that our little patients are receiving the best quality eye care possible.
Interesting Facts

I was born in Caracas, Venezuela and have been living in the USA since 1988. I was raised to treat people with respect regardless of their age or background. Family is very important to me, and it reflects in everything I do in my personal and professional life. When I have a patient sitting in the examination chair, I don't just see them as a patient, but as another human being. I believe that everyone should be treated with kindness and respect, no matter their age. Professionalism, education, good manners, and gratitude are values that I always try to embody.

Dr. Aurora Zink

Dental

Education
  • Bachelor of Science in Microbiology - University of Texas El Paso
  • Minor in Chemistry - University of Texas El Paso
  • Doctor of Science - University of Texas Detal Branch Houston

Dr. Aurora Zink

(Dr. Aurora)

Dental

Education
  • Bachelor of Science in Microbiology - University of Texas El Paso
  • Minor in Chemistry - University of Texas El Paso
  • Doctor of Science - University of Texas Detal Branch Houston
Why did you become a dentist?
I became a dentist because I fell in love with dentistry. I had the opportunity to go to a dental summer enrichment program at the University of Houston during the summer of my junior year of college. I spent 6 weeks in Houston getting to know the faculty and the students at the dental school as they went through their day treating patients. My grandfather was a dentist in Mexico a long time ago so it was something that was always on my radar, but it was that summer that solidified my decision.
Interesting Facts

I came to the US when I was in 7th grade & had to learn english from scratch. I had a friend that was so nice to me, but for 6 months I did not understand a word she said to me yet she still sat with me during lunch. By 8th grade, thanks to my great english second language teacher and wonderful friend, I was already in regular english. I am fascinated with languages and I am currently trying to learn Latin. I love animals and nature and have to have at least 2 pets at a time. I currently have 4 dogs and one very old cat that has been with me since dental school.

Dr. Taylor Usitalo

Orthodontics

Education
  • Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences - Michigan Technological University
  • Doctor of Dental Science - University of Michigan
  • Master of Science in Orthodontics _ University of Michigan
  • American Board of Orthodontics Diplomat

Dr. Taylor Usitalo

(Dr. Taylor)

Orthodontics

Education
  • Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences - Michigan Technological University
  • Doctor of Dental Science - University of Michigan
  • Master of Science in Orthodontics _ University of Michigan
  • American Board of Orthodontics Diplomat
Why did you become a orthodontist?
From a young age, I have always been a very artistic person. I have enjoyed drawing, painting, and even excelling in music being proficient in playing multiple instruments. I also did very well academically in school and my favorite courses were the sciences. I was drawn to dentistry because of the intimate connection it had to both the arts & the sciences. When i was a teenager, access to orthodontic treatment that my family could afford was not available to us. Once I started dental school I immediately took out extra student loan money to begin treatment since I could get it at a discount being a dental student. It was during that time when I was learning about dentistry, while seeing the changes my own orthodontic treatment was having on my bite, smile and aesthetics that I truly realized that I wanted to be able to bestow that transformation onto other people.
Interesting Facts

In my spare time I enjoy working out, traveling, listening to music, and spending time with my spouse and dog.

Dr. Sandra Smith

Education
  • Bachelors of Science - University of Illinois at Chicago
  • Doctor of Dental Surgery - University of Illinois at Chicago

Dr. Sandra Smith

(Dr. Sandy)

Education
  • Bachelors of Science - University of Illinois at Chicago
  • Doctor of Dental Surgery - University of Illinois at Chicago
How did you start your carrer
I really wanted to help others in my community.
Interesting Facts

I have a daughter and two sons. We live on a small farm with dogs, goats, sheep, chickens, and horses. I enjoy reading, painting, and spending time at the lake with my family.

Dr. Daniel Dieterichs

Vision

Education

Undergraduate Bachelors in Chemistry Viterbo University La Crosse WI

Optometry School University of Missouri St. Louis Doctor of Optometry

Dr. Daniel Dieterichs

(Dr. Dieterichs)

Vision

Education

Undergraduate Bachelors in Chemistry Viterbo University La Crosse WI

Optometry School University of Missouri St. Louis Doctor of Optometry

Why did you become a optometrist?
I had headaches at age 6, went to Optometrist got glasses and no more headaches. I thought it looked like a good profession.
Interesting Facts

I work on a farm on the weekends.

MEDICAID ACCEPTED

Insurance, we've got you covered.

Our mission is to expand care access so that every child has a chance to thrive. We welcome Medicaid and most insurance plans.

Dental Insurance

  • Medicaid
  • Centennial Care
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico
  • Presbyterian
  • Western Sky
  • Aetna
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Cigna
  • Delta
  • Dentemax
  • GEHA
  • Guardian
  • Humana
  • Metlife
  • Principal
  • United Concordia-TriCare
  • UCH (DBP)

Vision Insurance

  • Medicaid
  • Centennial Care
  • Western Sky
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico
  • Presbyterian
  • March Vision Medicaid
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield Commercial
  • HealthNet/TriCare
  • EyeMed
  • Kids Site Voucher
  • Project Ann Voucher
  • Spectra
  • Superior

We would not trust our son with any other dental facility. As parents we are at ease knowing that we can be in the room with our son while he is getting extractions. Thank you for all the excellent care.

Richard G.

Proud Dad

High Quality, Compassionate Care

It's What We Do Best!

It's our mission to ensure that every child and family has access to affordable high-quality, compassionate care. Our kid-friendly offices, high-quality staff, flexible scheduling, and a variety of insurance options make us the perfect fit for your family.

Learn about our Dental Services Learn about our Vision Services Learn about our Orthodontic Services

Click Below to Learn More

Kid's Dentist Albuquerque

We are experts in providing high-quality, affordable dental care for kids in Albuquerque. A child’s first dentist visit should happen after their first tooth emerges or by their first birthday, whichever comes first. Starting healthy oral care habits early in life prepares your child for the best oral and overall health.

Dental Cleanings

Even with regular brushing at home, teeth still need regular professional cleanings! During dental cleanings, we use special tools and skills to clear plaque away from the spots that are difficult to reach. We check for early signs of tooth decay to identify and treat any issues that arise before they become a problem. If your child is at an elevated risk for tooth decay, they can benefit from fluoride treatments and sealants that will protect and maintain the strength of their teeth.

Dental X-Rays

Dental x-rays are important tools that dentists use to monitor oral development and check for any potential diseases or decay that can impact your child’s dental health. With dental x-rays, dentists can see areas of the teeth that are invisible during dental cleanings.

Fluoride Treatment

Your teeth need vitamins, and fluoride gives your teeth the nutrients they need to stay healthy! Fluoride is a natural mineral that protects teeth from decay and helps teeth stay strong. During regular dental visits, we use a tiny paintbrush to apply a concentrated fluoride varnish directly onto tooth/teeth surfaces that need protection. Fluoride treatments are an important part of healthy dental hygiene, and they are highly beneficial throughout a child’s life.

Cavities & Fillings

For toddlers and children, the most basic form of tooth decay is cavities. A cavity develops when a buildup of plaque eats at the tooth enamel and creates a hole in the tooth. Sometimes cavities are hard to prevent. Proper dental hygiene, a healthy diet, and biannual dental cleanings are the best defense against plaque buildup and cavities. When a cavity is detected, the dentist will remove the decay and fill in the hole with a filling.

Dental Sealants

Dental sealants protect teeth against harmful bacteria that can lead to tooth decay. Even with excellent oral hygiene, the grooves on the tops of molars are vulnerable to collections of food and bacteria. Dental sealants provide an extra layer of protection for the teeth, and they are an important part of oral care.

Dental Crowns

Dental crowns top damaged teeth that need to be restored to their correct size and shape. When a filling is not enough to restore a tooth that is decayed or compromised, dental crowns save the day. It only takes a single appointment to apply a dental crown, and the visit does involve some form of anesthetic.

Tooth Extraction

Sometimes teeth need to be extracted. If a tooth is extensively damaged or decayed it may need to be pulled out. Additionally, tooth extraction may be necessary if stubborn baby teeth need help coming out, or if room needs to be made in the mouth in preparation for orthodontic treatment.

Dental Sedation Options

With every dental visit and procedure, we want to minimize potential distress and keep kids calm and comfortable. To ease the process of specific dental procedures, we give kids dental sedation. Select locations provide dental sedation options, and a referral is required.

Chipped Tooth Care

Sometimes teeth accidentally get chipped or broken during play. Thankfully, we have ways to fix them! If your child has a broken tooth, it is important that you contact your dentist immediately. At the emergency visit, the dentist will examine the child’s mouth. In specific circumstances, the tooth fragment can be reattached. If you are able to locate the chipped tooth fragment, put it in a bag with saline or water and bring it with you to the dentist's office. If you can’t find the tooth fragment, there are additional ways to repair the tooth for a happy and healthy smile.

Insurance

Good news for kids and families! Medicaid and most dental insurance plans cover two dental cleanings and checkups per year. Regular visits are important for maintaining oral health. Book an appointment with us for your child today!

We are excited to be your kid's dentist Albuquerque!

Vision Services

We want your child’s future to be clear!

Regular eye exams are an essential way to prepare babies, kids, and teens for educational, social, and developmental success. Vision issues can impact the way a child interacts with school, sports, their peers, and daily activities. A vision check-up is a great way to make sure your child is prepared for success.

Nearsightedness

If your child has a hard time focusing on things far far away, they may have Myopia. Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a refractive disorder that makes it difficult to see objects in the distance, but it is easy to see things up close. The symptoms can include:


  • Blurred vision when looking at objects at a distance

  • Squinting

  • Eyestrain

  • Eye fatigue when looking at objects far away


In addition to causing physical issues, nearsightedness can also impact a child’s safety and performance in school. Eyeglasses, contact lenses, or eye surgery can be used to fix nearsightedness. Take your child to routine eye exams to detect potential issues and help them stay healthy.

Farsightedness

Are things too close for comfort? If so, then your child may have Hyperopia, also known as farsightedness. Hyperopia is a common condition that makes objects far away easier to see than objects up close. With farsightedness, the light rays in the eyes focus behind the surface of the retina instead of directly on the retina, which makes close-up objects blurry. The symptoms may include:


  • Blurred vision

  • Trouble focusing on things close by

  • Eyestrain

  • Eye fatigue

  • Headaches when performing tasks close-up


Farsightedness can impact self-esteem and educational capabilities. Thankfully it is easy to correct with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or surgery. Take your kid for a vision exam to make sure they are prepared for success!

Astigmatism

Astigmatism is a common condition that causes objects both near and far to appear blurry. With astigmatism, your eye isn’t able to focus because it is not completely round. In kids, astigmatism can be difficult to diagnose because they perceive the blurriness as normal. The symptoms include:


  • Blurred Vision

  • Distorted Vision

  • Eyestrain

  • Headaches


Like other common eye issues, astigmatism can impact safety and school performance. Thankfully it can be treated with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or surgery. Make an appointment for an eye exam to make sure your child’s eyes are healthy and their vision is clear!

Lazy Eye

A lazy or wandering eye is called Amblyopia. In amblyopia, one eye underperforms because it does not properly reflect light. When a child has a lazy eye, their body follows the direction of the normally performing eye which can impact their ability to perceive depth. Symptoms may include:


  • Issues with depth perception

  • Frequently squinting or shutting one eye

  • Tilting head to focus


Early detection is important for the most effective and simple treatment. To set your child up for success, schedule a routine eye exam today!

Cross Eyes

Cross eyes, or strabismus, is a common eye condition in which the eyes are not always aligned. With strabismus, the eyes look in different directions because the eye muscles are out of sync. If left unaddressed, strabismus can lead to a lazy eye or cause other types of vision problems. There are a few different treatment options, and your provider can find the best one for you.

Fashionable Frames

For many parents, it is a struggle to get their children to wear eyeglasses. We carry over 350 Medicaid-approved frames to ensure your child can find the perfect pair to suit their age, size, fashion, and lifestyle. We want every child to feel cool, confident, and comfortable when wearing eyeglasses!

Insurance Options

We don’t want any child to struggle with learning challenges that are caused by undetected vision problems. If your child is experiencing vision issues, we can help. We accept Medicaid and most insurance plans so that your child can have regular vision check-ups and glasses at little or no cost to you.

Orthodontic Services

Orthodontic Braces

Orthodontic braces effectively correct jaw alignment and teeth spacing. Braces offer many benefits. They can boost your child or teen’s confidence and self-esteem, and they improve many aspects of dental health, including:


  • Improve ability to chew food

  • Alleviate speech impairment

  • Make brushing, cleaning, and flossing teeth easier

  • Reduce the risk of cavities and periodontal disease

  • Reduce the occurrence of grinding and chipping teeth

  • Reduce the risk of injury from protruding teeth


In addition to helping you and your kids or teens look their best, braces can create a foundation for a lifetime of improved oral health!

Finding the Right Braces

The first step in the journey of creating a perfect smile is to find the right braces. We can help you choose the right type of braces based on your treatment plan, cost, and desired appearance. There are several different types of braces that are commonly used today.


  • Traditional Metal Braces are the most common type of braces because they are the most affordable and effective option. Metal braces are easy for orthodontists to accurately adjust during monthly visits. A fun bonus with metal braces is that kids and teens get to choose fun elastic band colors to achieve a look they love!


  • Ceramic or Porcelain Braces function similarly to metal braces, but the brackets and wires are designed to blend in with the teeth. These braces are less noticeable and more expensive than metal braces. In order to prevent discoloration, they require dedicated, regular cleaning. If you want your braces to be less noticeable in appearance, ceramic or porcelain braces are a great option.


  • Removable Aligners are a popular option for many families. They consist of removable, transparent trays that rest on top of teeth and can be removed for meal times and other activities. In comparison to traditional metal braces, removable aligners are more expensive. Removable aligners can correct alignment issues, but they are not suitable for correcting significant bite problems. Also, they are not usually recommended for children because they require an additional level of personal responsibility. If you are looking for a less noticeable way to correct alignment issues and you are able to follow through with the required care, this solution may be the right treatment option for you.


Affordable Braces

Medicaid and many other insurance plans understand the importance of braces for oral health and can potentially cover the entire cost of orthodontic treatment. If you are insured by Medicaid, an orthodontic evaluation is needed to determine whether or not the treatment is covered. If you have private insurance, your insurance provider can detail your orthodontic coverage options.

For families who do not have insurance coverage, we offer multiple affordable payment plans. Our orthodontic care coordinators work with you to review the options and determine a plan that works for you.

Orthodontic Evaluations

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child is screened before their seventh birthday. By the time your child turns seven, it will be clear if they have any jaw alignment problems, overcrowding, overbite or underbite, crossbite, or other orthodontic issues that may impact their mouth. Early orthodontic evaluations are important to quickly determine if braces are needed and choose the best treatment plan.


Now Hiring!

We don't just hire for jobs, we kickstart careers. If you are looking to start a rewarding career helping those in underserved communities, you are the perfect fit for our team.