Pediatric Dental Partners, reminding you February is National Children’s Dental Health Month

Every February for the past 60 years, the American Dental Association, or ADA, has sponsored National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. National Children's Dental Health Month began as a one-day event in 1941 in a Cleveland clinic and in 1991 was extended to a month-long celebration known today as National Children’s Dental Health Month.

Each February, Drs. Crawford, Chidlow, Backofen and Wallace, as well as thousands of dental professionals focus on the preventive oral care of America's children. Our doctors and staff want you to remember developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Has your child visited Pediatric Dental Partners the past six months? If not, it’s time to give us a call and schedule an appointment!

Talking cavities, with Pediatric Dental Partners

One word no parent wants to hear when they visit Pediatric Dental Partners is 'cavity.' That’s right, that dreaded cavity. But what exactly is a cavity and how do we get them? A cavity is a hole that develops in a tooth when the tooth begins to decay. It’s important to get a cavity filled as soon as it’s detected so that it does not grow bigger, our doctors say.

So, what causes a cavity? A cavity is caused by plaque, a sticky substance that forms on the tooth as a result of germ and bacteria build-up. Plaque is acidic and as it clings to your teeth the acids eat away the outside of the tooth (also called the enamel) and a hole is formed.

Yes, cavities can be repaired by Drs. Crawford, Wallace, Backofen or Chidlow, but here are a few simple steps you can take to prevent cavities:

• Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily
• Gently brush your gums to keep them healthy (when choosing a toothbrush it is recommended to use soft bristles)
• Floss your teeth at least once a day to remove plaque and food that may be caught between the teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach
• Limit the amount of soda and sugary treats you eat/drink
• Be sure to visit Pediatric Dental Partners every six months for a teeth cleaning and check-up!

If you have any questions about cavities, or your treatment at Pediatric Dental Partners, we encourage you to give us a call!

Ask Pediatric Dental Partners: When should my child come in for a visit?

We believe a child's first visit to the dentist should be enjoyable and positive. The more you and your child know about the first visit, the better you will feel. Children are not born with a fear of the dentist, but they can fear the unknown. And that's precisely why the team at Pediatric Dental Partners makes a practice of using pleasant, non-frightening, simple words to describe your child's first dental visit and treatment. We want you to feel at ease from the moment your family arrives at our office.

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), children should visit Pediatric Dental Partners by their first birthday. It is important that your child's newly-erupted teeth (erupting at 6-12 months of age) receive proper dental care and benefit from proper oral hygiene habits right from the beginning. For more information on the advantages of pediatric dentistry at Pediatric Dental Partners, please visit our "Dentistry for Children" page or give us a call today to schedule an appointment. Enjoy the rest of your week!

Meet Our Dentists

Dr. Daniel Crawford graduated from Haughton High School in 1970 and from Louisiana Tech University in 1974. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Louisiana State University in 1978. After a two-year residency in New Orleans he received a certificate in Pediatric Dentistry in 1987.

Dr. Crawford joined Dr. James R. Lang in 1987 and they practiced together until Dr. Lang's retirement in 2004. Dr. Crawford is an active member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, The Louisiana Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, The Southwestern Society of Pediatric Dentistry, The American Dental Association, The Louisiana Dental Association, and the Northwest Louisiana Dental Association.

He is married to Gretchen Scherf Crawford, and has four children, John Aaron, Hunter, David and Natalie.


Dr. Lauren Wallace attended Tulane University and then Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge majoring in Microbiology. She then attended LSU School of Dentistry in New Orleans in 1989 and graduated in 1993. From 1993 to 1995 Dr. Wallace did her Pediatric Dental Residency at LSU School of Dentistry. In 1995, Dr. Lauren Wallace moved with her husband, Matt Wallace, to Shreveport. She joined Dr. James R. Lang and Daniel A. Crawford at Pediatric Dental Partners in July 1995.

Dr. Wallace is an active member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Dental Association, Southwestern Society of Pediatric Dentistry, and the Northwest Louisiana Dental Association.

Dr. Lauren Wallace is married to Matt Wallace from Lake Charles, Louisiana. They have two children, Cameron, and Alden. She enjoys spending time with her family, likes to run, and is an active member of her church.


Dr. Shannon Backofen graduated from Louisiana Tech University and received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry, Memphis in 1992. After a two-year residency from 1994-1996 at Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, Texas, she received her certificate in Pediatric Dentistry.

Dr. Backofen joined with Dr's. Lang, Crawford, and Wallace in 1996 to become Dr's. Lang, Crawford, Wallace, and Backofen, Pediatric Dental Partners, LLP.

Dr. Backofen is an active member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Southwestern Society of Pediatric Dentistry, Paul P. Taylor Pediatric Dental Association, American Dental Association, Louisiana Dental Association, and the Northwest Louisiana Dental Association.

She is married to Mike Backofen of Bossier City and has two children, Kyle and Megan.


Dr. Susan Chidlow is a native of Shreveport and a former patient at Pediatric Dental Partners. She attended C.E. Byrd High School in Shreveport and LSU Baton Rouge for her undergraduate degree. She earned her dental degree at LSU School of Dentistry. Dr. Chidlow was then accepted into the Pediatric Dental Residency Program at LSUSD and graduated in 2004. She was the recipient of numerous awards and honors such as the LDA Outstanding Senior Dental Student of the Year 2002, LSUSD Pediatric Dentistry Award 2002, Oral Medicine Award 2002, and the Pharmacology Award 2002.

Dr. Chidlow is an active member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Dental Association, Louisiana Dental Association, Northwest Louisiana Dental Association and the Southwestern Society of Pediatric Dentistry.

Dr. Chidlow returned from New Orleans in August of 2004, where she had been a practicing Pediatric Dentist with Dr. William Carlisle and Dr. Aubrey Baudean. Dr. Chidlow joined the practice of Dr's. Crawford, Wallace, and Backofen with Pediatric Dental Partners, LLP in August of 2005.

Dr. Chidlow is married to Dan Gray of Shreveport.