Compassionate Care in Gilbert, Arizona

Grow. Smile. Shine.

Helping Little Smiles Thrive in Gilbert

Welcome to Ascend Pediatric Dentistry, where we are dedicated to providing excellent patient service in a fun, kid-friendly way. Our mission is to create a generation of adults who are not scared of the dentist. We can accomplish this by providing empathetic, compassionate, patient-centered care for your little ones. Please schedule an appointment to become a part of our Ascend family!

Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist

Meet Dr. Mark Van Duker

As a parent and a board-certified pediatric dentist, Dr. Mark Van Duker is passionate about treating all children with empathy and compassion. His dental school and pediatric residency training in top tier programs have given him the experience to provide excellent quality care for your kids. Only a small percentage of all dentists are board-certified pediatric dentists, with the expertise to provide safe and research-based care for your child at all ages. We look forward to welcoming you at Ascend Pediatric Dentistry!

Why the name Ascend?

As a kid Dr. Mark loved the color blue and the imagery of sky blue like when taking off in an airplane. The name also incorporates our values of continual learning and high-quality care.

Why a rainbow logo?

Simple, it was both of Dr. Mark's son and daughter's favorite color and shape as toddlers. Although they fight a lot, they both could agree on that. The design is based off of their drawings. On a deeper level it can represent patient care in a non-judgmental and inclusive way. But mostly it’s just fun.

Tailored Treatments

Preventive Dentistry

Our preventive dentistry treatments help keep your child's teeth and gums healthy while reducing the risk of cavities and other dental issues.

Restorative Dentistry

Our goal is to inform parents of dental findings and help them make the best decision for their child. If treatment is indicated, we will do so with empathy and compassion. We offer a variety of options based off of individual needs.

Dental Sedation

We know that some children may feel anxious about dental visits. That's why we offer dental sedation options to help your child relax and feel more comfortable during their treatment.

Special Needs Care

Our team is experienced in providing compassionate, tailored care for children with special needs. We take the time to understand your child's unique needs and work closely with you to ensure a positive, empowering dental experience.

Our Difference

Why Choose Us?

At Ascend Pediatric Dentistry, we stand out by providing exceptional, comprehensive care tailored to your child's unique needs.

Board-Certified Provider

After completing dental school, Dr. Mark completed an additional two-year pediatric dentistry residency at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C. This included rigorous training, written and oral board exams for pediatric dentistry, and annual CE requirements. All of this means better quality care to your child.

Compassionate Care

As parents ourselves, we want children to have a positive association with dentistry. We will treat your children the way we would want ours to be treated. We lead with compassion, empathy, and quality care. Our goal is to create adult dental patients who love going to the dentist.

In-House, Comprehensive Services

We offer a wide range of services in-house, so your child can receive all the care they need in one comfortable, familiar location. From routine check-ups and cleanings to dental emergencies, sedation dentistry, and infant frenectomies, our team is equipped to handle all your child's dental needs. This comprehensive approach saves you time and ensures continuity of care.

Relaxing, Kid-Friendly Atmosphere

Our office is designed with children in mind, featuring a warm, inviting atmosphere that helps put them at ease. Throughout their visit, we offer amenities like cozy blankets, pillows, and their choice of entertainment to help them feel relaxed and comfortable.

What other people are saying

Dylan J.

We enjoyed coming to see Dr. Mark, his staff and office! They made us feel comfortable, listened to what we had to say, and were detailed during our visit. Highly recommend and will be back!

G R.

What an adorable dental office for kids! Very colorful lobby with toys and books for the kids. The staff were all so friendly and kind. The dentist was great with my 2 year old who is always a little scared of medical office situations. My kids had a great experience and got to pick a toy at the end. Both left very happy! Definitely bring your kids here!

Bedey P.

Loved my experience with my little one here! She’s been coming here since she’s 1 and she enjoys the dentist! Shoutout to Mark for being an amazing dentist.

Gina V

Dentist Mark was so kind and sweet with our little one! Made the whole experience easy and no stress :)

David C

Beautiful office! Great atmosphere fun and highly experienced team. Highly recommend.

Jeremiah G

Dr. Van Duker is an awesome pediatric dentist, he relates well to parents and kids. Gilbert is lucky to have such an awesome pediatric dentist.

Amy S.

Patient and friendly staff. My kids and I were very happy with their visit.

Andy V.

Nice staff and Dentist, Beautiful office!!

Kelsey T.

Great experience!

Ready to Smile?

Let’s Get Your Kiddo Scheduled!