Anchored Smiles Pediatric Dentistry Opens at Former Woody’s Bar-B-Q Building in Palm Coast
Anchored Smiles Pediatric Dentistry opened its new facility at 99 Flagler Plaza Drive in Palm Coast with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The practice occupies the former Woody’s Bar-B-Q building, giving Flagler County families local access to pediatric dentistry and orthodontic services five days a week.
Local Officials and Founders Celebrate Flagler County Healthcare Expansion
Local officials, business leaders, and members of the Palm Coast-Flagler Regional Chamber of Commerce attended the October opening event. Palm Coast Mayor Mike Norris welcomed the business, noting that his family previously traveled to St. Augustine for comparable dental care. Flagler County Commissioner Greg Hansen described the opening as an indicator of regional growth and well-being.
Co-owner Lydia Ankrom recalled that after moving to Palm Coast in 2013, she had to drive her children to Jacksonville for pediatric dental visits. She stated that children in the area frequently faced travel times of about an hour to Jacksonville or Daytona Beach to receive treatment before the new office opened.
Modern Facilities and Patient Anxiety Relief Strategies
The facility features modern digital equipment, open treatment areas, and private procedure rooms designed for children with varying needs. To help young patients overcome dental anxiety, the practice offers an emotional support dog named Junior upon request. Dr. Fernanda Freitas, the practice’s pediatric dentist and a mother of three, previously worked as a dental director at a Boston community health center and held faculty positions at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine and Tufts University.
Dr. Keith Blankenship, a board-certified orthodontist and majority owner of Orthodontic Specialists, explained that the new location complements the practice’s existing office on the opposite side of Palm Coast. Dr. Sarah Asis, a board-certified orthodontist with over a decade of experience, noted that the expansion allows the team to serve more patients throughout the surrounding communities.
Shine Bright Initiative Plans Free Dental Care for Underserved Children
The practice plans to launch a charitable initiative named Shine Bright to provide free dental care to underserved children in Flagler County. Under this program, retired and practicing dentists will volunteer at the facility four Saturdays each year to perform cleanings, extractions, and treatments for children experiencing dental pain. Blankenship reported that the practice recently hired approximately four assistants across its two offices and anticipates additional hiring as patient demand increases.
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