Dr. Claudia Cavallino attended Louisiana State University School of Dentistry in New Orleans, where she received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. She went on to complete a pediatric dental residency at LSU and Children’s Hospital in New Orleans and has been practicing pediatric dentistry since 2004.  Dr. Cavallino completed her board certification in 2012.

In addition to providing dental care for children, teens, and special needs patients, Dr. Cavallino lectures to LSU Dental students as part of a part-time faculty appointment. She also serves as the pediatric dentist on the Cleft Palate/Craniofacial teams at Children’s Hospital and Ochsner Hospital and belongs to the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association. She was appointed by the governor to serve on the Louisiana State Board of Dentistry.

Dr. Cavallino was selected to participate in the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s Leadership Institute in 2016 and received her certificate in 2018.

Dr. Kellie Axelrad, a New Orleans native, earned her B. S. degree in biology from Loyola University and her D. D. S. degree from LSU School of Dentistry. After treating pediatric patients in private practice for three years as a general dentist, she returned to complete her residency in pediatric dentistry at LSU School of Dentistry and Children’s Hospital, New Orleans.

She has served as past chairman of Children’s Dental Health Month for the New Orleans Dental Association. She also served as interim post-graduate program director for the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at LSU School of Dentistry. Dr. Axelrad completed her board certification in 2010.

Dr. Axelrad has been awarded Gambit magazine’s Best Dentist in 2013 and 2015, as well as Nola Baby & Family Magazine’s Favorite Pediatric Dentist multiple times over the years. Gambit magazine also recognized Dr. Axelrad was a 40 under 40 honoree.

In order to treat our youngest patients and those with special needs, who sometimes require general anesthesia, Dr. Axelrad has active staff privileges at Main Campus Ochsner Hospital in Metairie and Children’s Hospital in New Orleans. Dr. Axelrad and her husband have one daughter. She and her family are happy to be a part of and serve their hometown community.

Dr. Nicole Boxberger, who is originally from Kansas, earned her D.D.S. degree at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She moved to New Orleans to obtain her specialty certificate in pediatric dentistry at LSU School of Dentistry and Children’s Hospital. Dr. Boxberger completed her board certification in 2011. She has been caring for children in the area since 2010. Dr. Boxberger has served as the chairperson for Children’s Dental Health Month for the New Orleans Dental Association for several years.

Dr. Boxberger maintains active privileges at West Jefferson Medical Center, Ochsner Hospital and Children’s Hospital, allowing her to care for patients who require sedation for their treatment. Dr. Boxberger, her husband and their son live in New Orleans, and enjoy spending time together experiencing all the city has to offer.

Professional affiliations for our pediatric doctors include:

  • Diplomate (Board Certified), American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
  • American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
  • American Dental Association
  • New Orleans Dental Association
  • LSU School of Dentistry, Dept. of Pediatric Dentistry, Clinical Assistant Professor
  • Louisiana Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
  • Louisiana Dental Association

Why choose a Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist over a Family Dentist?

Our pediatric dentists are specialists in the oral health of infants, children, adolescents and special needs patients. This makes them the “pediatricians of dentistry.” Each one has completed an advanced post-doctoral residency program in pediatric dentistry, accredited by the American Dental Association, of at least two academic years to obtain the expertise and certification required to be a specialist in the field. These additional years of training beyond regular dental school provide our pediatric dentists the knowledge and skill set to treat our children’s teeth while providing a positive dental experience and to educate our children and parents on the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene for a lifetime.  It also allows our providers to treat medically complex children, who often require highly specialized and coordinated care.  

Our doctor’s completed programs with extensive training including but not limited to:

  • Advanced treatment options specific to baby teeth
  • Sedation and Hospital Dentistry
  • Child Psychology and Behavior Management Adjuncts
  • Growth and Development of the face and dentition
  • Special Needs and Medically Compromised Care
  • Craniofacial Anomalies and Cleft Palate and/Lip Care
  • Orthodontic treatment and Minor Tooth Movement

Baby teeth are very different than permanent teeth, in shape, size and the types of treatment options that are available. Our providers are highly experienced in all types of restorations in the scope of pediatric dentistry, including tooth colored fillings, stainless steel crowns, and a variety of tooth colored crown options.  

Our doctors understand the psychology behind children’s behaviors, fears and anxieties at every stage of development.  They have been trained to provide empathetic, supportive and efficient care to each child on an individual basis.  Explaining procedures to patients in kid-friendly terms and other techniques allow our providers to be experts in behavior management of patients.  The additional training completed by our doctors also includes laughing gas, sedation and hospital dentistry, as well as growth and development assessments at every checkup.  

Board certification is awarded to pediatric dentists who qualify by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.  The ABPD states that doctors who achieve board certification have completed and passed a “voluntary examination that validates their knowledge, skills and experience for delivering quality patient outcomes.” Our doctors are proud to be board certified in the specialty of pediatric dentistry.  

Above all, when your child is a patient in the dental chair at New Orleans Childrens Dental Center, they become “our child” to the entire staff.  We wholeheartedly want the very best for your children when they are here, and only will recommend treatment we feel would benefit our own children or family members.  We genuinely care that each patient has the best experience possible and becomes a good patient for life!