Meet Dr. Karissa R. Koster
A Passion for Personalized Pediatrics
Our pediatric dentist, Dr. Karissa Koster, has been fascinated with dentistry since she was ten years old. In fact, it was orthodontics that sparked her interest in the first place. “The day I got my braces at age 10, I was amazed at how the orthodontist could fix my smile. From that day, I knew dentistry was for me and I worked hard to make that dream come true.”
Adding Dr. Koster, ARCH Orthodontics’ very first pediatric dental specialist, to our orthodontic team allows families to enjoy an expanded dental-health experience, one that helps parents ensure that their children’s smiles can stay healthy and happy for life.
It’s an opportunity Dr. Koster is genuinely excited about: “I enjoy focusing on preventive care to help each child gain a healthy smile that will last a lifetime. And when needed for consultation, it’s great having orthodontic colleagues in the same office – so convenient for parents, too. Plus, the entire team at ARCH Orthodontics has extensive experience with special needs patients. It’s the whole package!”
Training You Can Trust
Dr. Koster did her undergraduate work at Stonehill College, earned her dental degree at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, and continued to become Chief Pediatric Dental Resident at The Lutheran Medical Center in Holyoke, MA, all the while maintaining an admirably high GPA.
To gain even more training and experience, Dr. Koster also completed several internships including a Tufts Internship opportunity at Chicopee Health Center, an internship at Martha Eliot Health Center at the Children’s Hospital Boston, an internship at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, and an internship at Dr. John T. Carabatsos Family Dentistry in Brockton. She also completed a special externship in residency at the Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, providing extensive dental care to many children with complicated medical conditions.
Compassion You Can Count On
Excelling academically and professionally is not the only way this talented and compassionate dentist spent her school years. She also dedicated time to volunteering at Bridge Over Troubled Waters, a safe haven for homeless and troubled teens needing dental care. It is just one of the ways she has fed her passion for helping people over the years.
Now, Dr. Koster spends her days getting to know her young patients and helping them learn about how to best take care of their smiles. Her specialty also helps her really relate to her young patients and make sure they are always relaxed and at ease. “My favorite days are when a young, nervous patient comes in, learns to trust me, and leaves with a new outlook and excitement about the dentist,” enthuses Dr. Koster. “That is the biggest reward of this job. I absolutely love it. It allows me to offer truly personalized dental care to every child.”
Dr. Koster is a member of the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends and exploring new places.
