Dr. Michael Rullo – Dentist | St. Catharines, ON

Dr. Michael Rullo is a Pediatric Dentist. Practicing at Coral Kids Dentistry & Braces in St. Catharines, ON, Dr. Rullo is committed to delivering high-quality, patient-focused dental care. Dr. Rullo is licensed by The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO) and adheres to the highest professional and ethical standards of the dental profession in ON. As a certified specialist in Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Rullo provides comprehensive and specialized preventative and therapeutic oral health care exclusively for infants, children, adolescents, and individuals with special health care needs. This includes behavior guidance, sedation, and treatment of early childhood caries and developmental dental issues. Dr. Rullo serves patients of all ages, from newborns and infants through to children, adolescents, adults, and seniors. For patient convenience, direct billing to many major dental insurance plans may be available at Coral Kids Dentistry & Braces.

Dr. Michael Rullo earned a Dental Degree from University Of Western Ontario, graduating in 2018. This was followed by specialized training in advanced specialty training in Paediatric Dentist at the University of Toledo in 2020. With over 6 years of practice since 2019, Dr. Rullo's clinical experience is extensive. Additionally, this specialist holds certifications/authorizations for: Oral Moderate Sedation. Dr. Rullo is dedicated to ongoing continuing education to provide up-to-date dental care.

Key aspects of Dr. Rullo's dental practice philosophy include: a strong emphasis on preventative dentistry and patient education to help maintain lifelong oral health; fostering open communication and collaborative decision-making, ensuring patients are fully informed and involved in their treatment plans. Dr. Rullo provides consultations in English.

As a specialist in Specialty Practice in Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Michael Rullo addresses specific and often complex oral health conditions such as:

Childhood Dental Conditions

• Comprehensive Dental Needs of Infants, Children, and Adolescents: Addressing a wide range of dental issues common in childhood, such as early childhood caries, dental developmental anomalies, dental trauma, or orthodontic interception needs, in a child-friendly environment.

Early Childhood Caries

• Aggressive Tooth Decay (Cavities) in Infants & Toddlers (ECC): Managing extensive cavities in baby teeth, often requiring comprehensive restorative treatment (fillings, crowns, pulp therapy) and intensive preventative strategies (dietary counseling, fluoride, hygiene modification) to prevent further decay, pain, infection, and ensure proper development and function of both primary and permanent dentitions.

Dental Trauma Children

• Traumatic Injuries to Primary or Young Permanent Teeth in Children: Seeking expert urgent and long-term care for dental trauma in children to maximize the chances of saving injured teeth, managing pain and infection, and monitoring for potential complications to developing permanent teeth.

Dental Development Issues

• Anomalies or Delays in Tooth Development or Eruption Sequence: Diagnosing and managing developmental dental problems to ensure a healthy, functional, and aesthetically pleasing adult dentition, sometimes involving a multidisciplinary approach.

This list offers some examples of conditions commonly addressed. A comprehensive diagnosis is always based on an individual assessment by Dr. Rullo. If your specific oral health concern isn't listed, please contact the clinic to discuss your needs and appropriate treatment options.

• Comprehensive Oral Health Care for Infants, Children & Adolescents: Expert management of all aspects of children's oral health, focusing on prevention, early intervention, and positive dental experiences.
• Pediatric Sedation Dentistry (Nitrous Oxide, Oral Sedation, IV Sedation, General Anesthesia - Specialist Setting): Offering various levels of sedation, including nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, IV sedation, or general anesthesia (often in a hospital or specialized surgical setting), administered by or in conjunction with a pediatric dental specialist or dental anesthesiologist, to facilitate comprehensive dental care for very young, extremely anxious, or special needs children who cannot cooperate for treatment with local anesthesia alone.
• Behavior Guidance & Management for Pediatric Patients: Utilizing specialized techniques (tell-show-do, positive reinforcement, distraction) to help children feel comfortable and cooperative during dental visits.
• Dental Photography & Intraoral Camera Imaging: Intraoral camera technology to allow you to see what your dentist sees, facilitating better understanding of your oral health.
• Dental Care for Children with Special Health Care Needs: Experienced in addressing the specific oral health challenges and behavioral considerations of children with special needs.

Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr. Rullo. Not all services may be listed, and the suitability of any treatment depends on individual assessment. For a comprehensive understanding or to discuss your specific dental needs, please schedule a consultation.

All dental services by Dr. Michael Rullo adhere to scope of practice for Pediatric Dentists in ON and standards of The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO).

As a specialist in Specialty Practice in Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Rullo is dedicated to helping patients achieve significant improvements related to their specific and often complex oral health needs. At Coral Kids Dentistry & Braces, the focus is on partnering with you towards outcomes such as:

• With Dr. Rullo's compassionate and skilled dental care, managing their child feeling particularly anxious or fearful about an upcoming dental filling or procedure is focused on achieving achieving straighter teeth and an improved bite with discreet clear aligner therapy. This empowers patients to get back to what they love, such as being able to feeling relief from chronic headaches that were linked to their TMJ or bruxism without dental concerns.
• Dr. Rullo expertly assists individuals in navigating the complexities of a need for a professional dental opinion on a growth, unusual spot, or texture change in their mouth that they discovered. A successful and well-managed treatment outcome, exemplified by their persistent bad breath being eliminated after addressing the underlying dental cause, means they can happily and comfortably get back to delivering important presentations or public speeches with clarity and self-assurance.
• A frequent and rewarding goal for patients seeing Dr. Rullo about needing a custom-fitted mouthguard for playing sports to properly protect their teeth and jaw from injury is to attain achieving the beautiful, confident smile they had always desired through cosmetic dentistry. This success not only improves oral health but also paves the way for them to re-engage with activities like feeling comfortable with close-up interactions and conversations.
• When patients discuss an urgent need to replace a recently lost front tooth before other teeth started to shift or their appearance was significantly affected, Dr. Rullo outlines a path to their previously dark, non-vital tooth being internally bleached or restored to a natural shade, aiming to restore not just oral health but also the ability to comfortably being able to eat in public restaurants without anxiety about their teeth or dentures.

Your specialized treatment plan, developed in consultation with Dr. Rullo, will be meticulously designed to address your unique concerns and help you reach your specific objectives within their area of expertise. Dr. Rullo is committed to providing the highest standard of specialized care, tailored to your individual needs.

Coral Kids Dentistry & Braces, where Dr. Rullo practices, is situated in the Port Dalhousie neighborhood of St. Catharines. The clinic is conveniently located near the Downtown Core and is accessible via Niagara Region Transit (NRT). Convenient patient parking is typically available near the clinic.

Is dental treatment generally covered by provincial health plans like Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in ON?

In Ontario, provincial health plans like OHIP typically do not cover most routine or major dental procedures performed in private dental clinics for the general population. Some specific, limited dental surgeries performed in a hospital setting might be covered. Most dental care costs are paid out-of-pocket by patients or through private dental insurance plans (often through employers) or government assistance programs for eligible groups (e.g., children from low-income families, seniors on specific benefits, social assistance recipients). Examples of such programs include Healthy Smiles Ontario. It is crucial to verify any potential public coverage you might be eligible for and to always check the details of your private dental insurance regarding coverage, co-payments, deductibles, and annual maximums before starting treatment at Coral Kids Dentistry & Braces.

Are dental X-rays safe, and how often are they needed?

Dental X-rays are very safe, especially modern digital X-rays which use minimal radiation. Protective lead aprons are used. X-rays are taken only when diagnostically necessary (e.g., for new patients, to check for decay between teeth, assess bone health, or plan complex treatments). Dr. Rullo will determine the frequency based on your individual oral health, risk factors, and dental history, adhering to guidelines like ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable).

What should I expect during my first dental visit with Dr. Rullo at Coral Kids Dentistry & Braces?

Your first visit with Dr. Rullo will typically involve a comprehensive dental examination. This includes a review of your medical and dental history, a thorough check of your teeth, gums, jaw, and soft tissues (including an oral cancer screening), and any necessary X-rays. Dr. Rullo will discuss their findings, address your concerns, and work with you to create a personalized treatment plan if any care is needed. Often, a professional cleaning will also be performed or scheduled during this visit or a subsequent one.

Do I need a referral to see a general dentist like Dr. Rullo?

No, you generally do not need a referral from a physician or another healthcare provider to see a general dentist like Dr. Rullo for a check-up, cleaning, or consultation. You can usually book an appointment directly with Coral Kids Dentistry & Braces.

Do I need a referral from my general dentist to see a dental specialist (e.g., Orthodontist, Periodontist)?

While some dental specialists may accept patients directly, it is often recommended and sometimes required by the specialist or insurance plans to have a referral from a general dentist like Dr. Rullo. A referral ensures the specialist has relevant background information and that the visit is appropriate. If Dr. Rullo identifies a need for specialist care, they will provide a referral to ensure coordinated care. Check with the specific specialist's office or your insurance if unsure.

How often should I (or my child) visit Dr. Rullo for a check-up and cleaning?

For most patients, preventative check-ups and cleanings are generally recommended every 6 months. However, Dr. Rullo will recommend a personalized schedule based on individual oral health needs, risk factors for cavities or gum disease, and existing conditions (e.g., some may need visits every 3-4 months if managing active gum disease or at high caries risk, while others with excellent long-term health might have slightly longer intervals). Always follow Dr. Rullo's specific recommendation.

Coral Kids Dentistry & Braces
295 4th Ave Building G Units 4,5 & 6
St. Catharines, ON, L2S 0E7

Phone: (905) 684-5437

Dr. Michael Rullo is a licensed Pediatric Dentist in ON, regulated by The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO) under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 & Dentistry Act, 1991 (Ontario).

License Number: 117031

Verify registration with The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO): https://www.rcdso.org/find-a-dentist/search-results/dentist?id=117031

Regular dental check-ups and good oral hygiene are essential for maintaining overall health. Dr. Rullo and the team are committed to providing you with comprehensive dental care. If you have a dental emergency, please contact the clinic promptly. For after-hours emergencies that are life-threatening, proceed to the nearest hospital emergency department.