Protecting Smiles with Preventative Care
Sealants are thin protective coatings painted onto the chewing surfaces of back teeth – the deep-grooved molars where most childhood cavities start. Applied in minutes with no drilling and no numbing, a sealant blocks food and bacteria from settling into those grooves and lasts for years. Available at all four Kennedy Dental Care offices in Corpus Christi.
The prevention playbook, the value question, and the timing question – answered honestly.
Cavity prevention is a team sport with five players: brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing once teeth touch, smart snacking (water between meals; juice and crackers are sneakier than candy), six-month cleanings where we catch problems small, and the two professional shields – fluoride treatments that strengthen enamel everywhere, and sealants that physically protect the grooves where brushes struggle most.
No single piece does it alone; together they work remarkably well. Ask us at any visit which pieces your child is missing.
For most kids, yes. The deep grooves of back molars are where the majority of childhood cavities begin – they trap food, and even good brushers cannot fully clean them.
A sealant closes those grooves in minutes, with no drilling and no numbing, and costs a fraction of the filling it helps prevent. It is one of the best trades in pediatric dentistry: a quick visit now that protects against a cavity, a filling, and a numbed afternoon later.
The prime windows are when the permanent molars arrive – around age 6 for the first set and around age 12 for the second. Sealing them soon after they erupt protects them through the most cavity-prone years.
Your child's dentist will flag the timing at regular checkups, and teens and cavity-prone patients can benefit too.
The best filling is the one your child never needs. Since 1969, Kennedy Dental Care has helped Coastal Bend families stay ahead of cavities – and sealants are prevention at its simplest, helping to guard the exact spots where kids' cavities happen most, for families across Corpus Christi, Portland, TX, Annaville, Flour Bluff, and Robstown.
55+
Years serving the Coastal Bend
04
Convenient locations
4.9★
Average patient rating
With good care, sealants can last five years or longer – we check them at every six-month visit, and a worn or chipped sealant is easily reapplied. One honest note: sealants shield the chewing surfaces, not the whole tooth, so brushing, flossing, and checkups stay just as important as ever.
The tooth is cleaned and dried, a mild prep solution helps the sealant bond, the liquid sealant is painted into the grooves, and a curing light hardens it – done in minutes per tooth. No drilling, no numbing, no recovery. For many kids, it is the easiest dental visit they will ever have. Just go easy on sticky and hard foods for a few hours while it fully sets.
Many insurance plans cover sealants for children as preventive care, and we accept most insurance plans as well as Medicaid and CHIP. Membership plan families receive 25% off procedures like sealants, and we confirm your coverage before the visit.
Book an AppointmentA team that places sealants gently, usually right at a regular checkup.
Sealants, fluoride, and hygiene coaching work together as one plan.
Saratoga, Alameda, Staples, and Calallen.
A 4.9-star average across 3250+ Google reviews, serving Coastal Bend families since 1969.
Pediatric Dentistry Team
III, M.S., D.D.S.
Dr. Paul Kennedy, known to his patients as “Dr. Paul,” is a lifelong resident of Corpus Christi with a deep passion for improving children's oral health.
He attended Windsor Park Elementary, Baker Middle School, and graduated from Mary Carroll High School. He then earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Baylor University and a Master of Science from Texas A&M – Corpus Christi. Dr. Paul completed his dental degree at the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in San Francisco and received his certificate in pediatric dentistry from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio.
Dr. Paul is actively involved in professional organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the Texas Dental Association (TDA).
Outside of the office, he enjoys fishing, boating, and spending time outdoors with his wife, Merritt, and their two children.
Kennedy Dental Care holds a 4.9-star average rating across 3,250+ Google reviews – a reflection of the care our team brings to every visit.
“I can not express how deeply I appreciate the staff and the dentists. They are amazing people each and everyone of the staff members. Always kind ,friendly welcoming, and very professional. I have had nothing but good experiences at this location.”
“Our experience from the front end to check out was nothing short of amazing. My daughters always feel welcomed and at ease when going to the dentist. My youngest was asked to hit a home run for KDC at her game and she did!”
“Absolutely love this place &’ it was only our first time there. Everyone was welcoming, very nice &’ patient with my daughter. So glad my friend referred us here 😃.”
“I was very hesitant about my daughter having a frenectomy procedure done, but the staff and Dr. Pruitt provided the most amazing experience I could have asked for. Their knowledge, patience, kindness, and reassurance made everything OK. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. I highly recommend them. If I could give 10 stars, I would definitely give them 10 stars.”
“The BEST patient experience like always. Both hygienist were very sweet with my kids & the dentist was sweet as well and I loved that she explained every question I had, to top it all off my kids adored meeting service dog Scout that’s goes every Thursday. Her and her handler were amazing. I love that my kids look forward to their cleanings every 6 months. 10/10’recommend to anyone looking for a dental pediatric home! 🤍”
“I can not express how deeply I appreciate the staff and the dentists. They are amazing people each and everyone of the staff members. Always kind ,friendly welcoming, and very professional. I have had nothing but good experiences at this location.”
“Our experience from the front end to check out was nothing short of amazing. My daughters always feel welcomed and at ease when going to the dentist. My youngest was asked to hit a home run for KDC at her game and she did!”
“Absolutely love this place &’ it was only our first time there. Everyone was welcoming, very nice &’ patient with my daughter. So glad my friend referred us here 😃.”
“I was very hesitant about my daughter having a frenectomy procedure done, but the staff and Dr. Pruitt provided the most amazing experience I could have asked for. Their knowledge, patience, kindness, and reassurance made everything OK. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. I highly recommend them. If I could give 10 stars, I would definitely give them 10 stars.”
“The BEST patient experience like always. Both hygienist were very sweet with my kids & the dentist was sweet as well and I loved that she explained every question I had, to top it all off my kids adored meeting service dog Scout that’s goes every Thursday. Her and her handler were amazing. I love that my kids look forward to their cleanings every 6 months. 10/10’recommend to anyone looking for a dental pediatric home! 🤍”
“I can not express how deeply I appreciate the staff and the dentists. They are amazing people each and everyone of the staff members. Always kind ,friendly welcoming, and very professional. I have had nothing but good experiences at this location.”
“Our experience from the front end to check out was nothing short of amazing. My daughters always feel welcomed and at ease when going to the dentist. My youngest was asked to hit a home run for KDC at her game and she did!”
“Absolutely love this place &’ it was only our first time there. Everyone was welcoming, very nice &’ patient with my daughter. So glad my friend referred us here 😃.”
“I was very hesitant about my daughter having a frenectomy procedure done, but the staff and Dr. Pruitt provided the most amazing experience I could have asked for. Their knowledge, patience, kindness, and reassurance made everything OK. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. I highly recommend them. If I could give 10 stars, I would definitely give them 10 stars.”
“The BEST patient experience like always. Both hygienist were very sweet with my kids & the dentist was sweet as well and I loved that she explained every question I had, to top it all off my kids adored meeting service dog Scout that’s goes every Thursday. Her and her handler were amazing. I love that my kids look forward to their cleanings every 6 months. 10/10’recommend to anyone looking for a dental pediatric home! 🤍”
“I can not express how deeply I appreciate the staff and the dentists. They are amazing people each and everyone of the staff members. Always kind ,friendly welcoming, and very professional. I have had nothing but good experiences at this location.”
“Our experience from the front end to check out was nothing short of amazing. My daughters always feel welcomed and at ease when going to the dentist. My youngest was asked to hit a home run for KDC at her game and she did!”
“Absolutely love this place &’ it was only our first time there. Everyone was welcoming, very nice &’ patient with my daughter. So glad my friend referred us here 😃.”
“I was very hesitant about my daughter having a frenectomy procedure done, but the staff and Dr. Pruitt provided the most amazing experience I could have asked for. Their knowledge, patience, kindness, and reassurance made everything OK. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. I highly recommend them. If I could give 10 stars, I would definitely give them 10 stars.”
“The BEST patient experience like always. Both hygienist were very sweet with my kids & the dentist was sweet as well and I loved that she explained every question I had, to top it all off my kids adored meeting service dog Scout that’s goes every Thursday. Her and her handler were amazing. I love that my kids look forward to their cleanings every 6 months. 10/10’recommend to anyone looking for a dental pediatric home! 🤍”
“I can not express how deeply I appreciate the staff and the dentists. They are amazing people each and everyone of the staff members. Always kind ,friendly welcoming, and very professional. I have had nothing but good experiences at this location.”
“Our experience from the front end to check out was nothing short of amazing. My daughters always feel welcomed and at ease when going to the dentist. My youngest was asked to hit a home run for KDC at her game and she did!”
“Absolutely love this place &’ it was only our first time there. Everyone was welcoming, very nice &’ patient with my daughter. So glad my friend referred us here 😃.”
“I was very hesitant about my daughter having a frenectomy procedure done, but the staff and Dr. Pruitt provided the most amazing experience I could have asked for. Their knowledge, patience, kindness, and reassurance made everything OK. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. I highly recommend them. If I could give 10 stars, I would definitely give them 10 stars.”
“The BEST patient experience like always. Both hygienist were very sweet with my kids & the dentist was sweet as well and I loved that she explained every question I had, to top it all off my kids adored meeting service dog Scout that’s goes every Thursday. Her and her handler were amazing. I love that my kids look forward to their cleanings every 6 months. 10/10’recommend to anyone looking for a dental pediatric home! 🤍”
“I can not express how deeply I appreciate the staff and the dentists. They are amazing people each and everyone of the staff members. Always kind ,friendly welcoming, and very professional. I have had nothing but good experiences at this location.”
“Our experience from the front end to check out was nothing short of amazing. My daughters always feel welcomed and at ease when going to the dentist. My youngest was asked to hit a home run for KDC at her game and she did!”
“Absolutely love this place &’ it was only our first time there. Everyone was welcoming, very nice &’ patient with my daughter. So glad my friend referred us here 😃.”
“I was very hesitant about my daughter having a frenectomy procedure done, but the staff and Dr. Pruitt provided the most amazing experience I could have asked for. Their knowledge, patience, kindness, and reassurance made everything OK. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. I highly recommend them. If I could give 10 stars, I would definitely give them 10 stars.”
“The BEST patient experience like always. Both hygienist were very sweet with my kids & the dentist was sweet as well and I loved that she explained every question I had, to top it all off my kids adored meeting service dog Scout that’s goes every Thursday. Her and her handler were amazing. I love that my kids look forward to their cleanings every 6 months. 10/10’recommend to anyone looking for a dental pediatric home! 🤍”
Brushing with fluoride toothpaste, flossing once teeth touch, smart snacking, six-month cleanings, fluoride treatments, and sealants on the back molars all help. If you have questions about any of these prevention strategies, your child's dentist is here to help.
For most kids, yes – the deep grooves of back molars are where most childhood cavities start, and a sealant closes them in minutes with no drilling or numbing, at a fraction of a filling's cost.
When the permanent molars arrive – around age 6 for the first set and around age 12 for the second. Sealing them early protects them through the most cavity-prone years.
Five years or longer with good care – we check them at every visit and can easily reapply a worn one.
No – no drilling, no numbing, no recovery. The sealant is painted on and cured with a light, in minutes per tooth.
No – sealants shield the chewing surfaces of back teeth, but brushing, flossing, and regular cleanings protect everything else. They are teammates, not substitutes.
If your child's six-year or twelve-year molars are in, ask about sealants at their next visit – minutes now, years of protection after. Book at any of our four Corpus Christi offices.
(361) 992-9500
