S. Thikkurissy, DDS, MS, MA

I’m a pediatric dentist focused on the comprehensive oral care of infants, children, adolescents and patients with special health needs. Aside from my service in the Division of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, I am also a faculty member in the Division of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Immune Deficiency. I work with our hematologists and oncologists to provide the best oral health to patients with cancer, Fanconi anemia, telomere disorders, epidermolysis bullosa and those undergoing bone marrow transplantation.

My grandmother was the first woman magistrate in India, and she told me that we as a society are defined by how we treat our most vulnerable. I have dedicated my career to caring for underserved populations and patients with difficulty accessing oral care. I believe oral health is a universal right, not a privilege. My true north is my son, and I see every patient I care for through his eyes.

I spend much of my research time focused on two primary subjects. I aim to determine how oral health impacts families with malignancy/cancer and special needs and to identify what practices can ensure the safest procedural sedation for dental procedures.

I’m a nationally recognized expert in the procedural sedation of pediatric patients and Chair the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) 'Safe and Effective Sedation in the Pediatric Patient' national course. I was honored to be named the AAPD Pediatric Dentist of the Year (2017) and was the Aubrey Rose Doctor of the Year (2019) for my work with patients with special needs. I have presented lectures internationally in China, Serbia and Egypt and also in 26 states nationwide.

In my free time, I love spending time with my wife and son. We are a Disney family and enjoy our three pups, Wadsworth, Oliver and Theodore. I also love reading literature and collecting Marvel/Star Wars memorabilia.