---
title: Worthington Christian School Parent Blog | Dr. Joel Richards
description: Dr. Richards is a Pediatric Dental Specialist and owner of Westerville Pediatric Dental in Westerville, Ohio. A graduate of Worthington Christian School and The Ohio State University with extensive training in pediatric dentistry, he loves working with children in a family-oriented approach, and helping them all have a positive and fun dental experience.
---
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## Navigating Your Child's Education: Ages 3-K
## Dr. Joel Richards
Dr. Richards is a Pediatric Dental Specialist and owner of Westerville Pediatric Dental in Westerville, Ohio. A graduate of Worthington Christian School and The Ohio State University with extensive training in pediatric dentistry, he loves working with children in a family-oriented approach, and helping them all have a positive and fun dental experience.
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## Recent Posts
###### 4 min read
## [Oral Health and School Readiness](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/ages3-k/oral-health-and-school-readiness)
By [Dr. Joel Richards](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/ages3-k/author/dr-joel-richards) on Feb 4, 2021 8:00 PM
[](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/ages3-k/oral-health-and-school-readiness)
There’s a lot of information to consider with your child’s ability to be ready for school and the new social dynamics it brings. Many questions and hesitations may pop in your mind. Is my child ready, or will they forever be laying in their floating carriage while in cute pajamas like Baby Yoda? Well, maybe you’re not thinking about your little padawan that way. You’re probably thinking about their emotional and social interaction skills, and aptitude for developing basic language, math, and general knowledge. Can your child perform basic tasks like using utensils and crayons, or even brush their teeth? How is their overall health, and have you considered their oral health? Did you know dental health may influence your child’s school readiness and academic success?
Topics: [Kindergarten Readiness](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/ages3-k/topic/kindergarten-readiness) [Parenting](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/ages3-k/topic/parenting) [Preschool](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/ages3-k/topic/preschool) [Social Skills](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/ages3-k/topic/social-skills)
[Continue Reading](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/ages3-k/oral-health-and-school-readiness)
[All posts](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/ages3-k/all)
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