Ask the Experts: October 2025
Each month in TulsaKids Magazine, local experts answer frequently asked questions from their area of expertise.
How can parents reinforce healthy dental routines at home?
Good dental habits start at home—and it’s never too early to get consistent. Here is some advice from Dr. Christian Doan, a general dentist at Dental Depot in Tulsa with a passion for helping kids build lifelong oral health habits. According to Dr. Doan, the best thing parents can do is keep brushing and flossing part of the daily rhythm.
“Some kids will say they brushed their teeth, but they really didn’t,” he says. “Ideally, we like to see at least two minutes of brushing and then flossing. And definitely no soda or juice before bed—it creates an acidic environment that’s perfect for cavities.”
Supervision helps, especially with younger children who are still learning proper technique. But Dr. Doan also emphasizes keeping things positive: “Make brushing part of their routine and incentivize it. If they do well, maybe they get extra park time or a small treat.”
The goal, he says, isn’t perfection—it’s consistency. Over time, these healthy behaviors become automatic, setting kids up for a lifetime of good oral health.
Dr. Christian Doan, Dental Depot Tulsa
6 Tulsa Metro locations
dentaldepot.net
What are the long-term effects of untreated mental health issues in children, and why is prevention and early intervention so crucial?
Mental health is just as important as physical health, especially for kids. When left unaddressed, mental health challenges in children can lead to significant long-term consequences.
Children experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma or other emotional and behavioral disorders may struggle with:
- Academic Difficulties– Poor concentration, low motivation and emotional distress can lead to falling behind in school.
- Social and Relationship Challenges– Difficulty regulating emotions can hinder friendships and family bonds.
- Increased Risk of Substance Abuse– Unmanaged mental health struggles can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms, including drug and alcohol abuse.
- Chronic Mental Health Conditions– Untreated childhood issues often persist, increasing the likelihood of adult mental health disorders.
- Lower Self-Esteem and Resilience– Without support, children may develop negative self-perceptions, making it harder to cope with future challenges.
The good news is that early intervention can make a profound difference. Working with experts such as those at GRAND Mental Health can identify and address concerns early, helping children develop coping skills, emotional regulation, and a strong support system. Open conversations, counseling, school support and family involvement will reduce stigma and foster resilience, allowing children to thrive rather than struggle in silence.
Grand Mental Health
844.458.2100
24/7 Crisis Line: 800×722.3611
grandmh.com
The weather is getting cooler, so we aren’t swimming in our pool. Should we postpone our swim lessons until spring?
Ironically, winter is one of the BEST times to learn to swim! Experts all agree that drowning knows no season, and an accident can happen at any time, regardless of season or temperature. In fact, accidental drowning incidents increase in November and December at residential pools (usually during a family event). Unfortunately, the water doesn’t disappear with the cooler temps. Fall and winter are truly the ideal time of year to start and continue a learn-to-swim program. Students proactively learn to swim before summertime and go into lake and boating season prepared to be safe in and around the water.
Furthermore, during cooler winter months, it is more difficult to get outside to play and stay active. The indoor heated pool becomes a tropical oasis to look forward to each week and is a great way to keep kids active and healthy. So grab your beach bag and head to the pool. The water is warm year-round!
Miller Swim School
4 Locations in Tulsa, South Tulsa, Jenks and Owasso
918.254.1988
millerswimschool.com
When can child support be adjusted? Is it automatic?
Most of the time, it isn’t automatic. Sometimes when DHS is handling your child support, they will file to update the amount, but it isn’t often. Child support can be revisited anytime there is a substantial change in the income situation. While almost any raise or new job would qualify, you need to think of the costs of doing so. It is not worth an attorney retainer to increase it by $25 a month.
If the other parent has a low support amount, and isn’t using their visitation time, that is also a good time to revisit it, as they may lose their shared parenting credit of hundreds of dollars a month. Check with an attorney that offers a free consult to get an idea whether the time is right.
Simon Harwood, Fry & Elder
1630 S. Main St., Tulsa
918.585.1107
simonharwoodlaw.com
