About
Personalized Care For Every Child
Our Mission
As a mother to young children herself, Dr. Anderson knows that dentistry can be tough for kids. Whether it's a simple cleaning or more complex dental treatment, kids can feel nervous, intimidated, or scared about getting the care they need. That's why we focus on keeping kids comfortable, educating them about the importance of dentistry, and providing comprehensive care in a truly welcoming environment.
Committed to Little Smiles
Get To Know Dr. Aarika Anderson Elter
Dr. Anderson was born and raised in Lakewood, Washington. Both her family and her husband Ryan’s family trace their roots in the South Puget Sound region back to the late 1800s and early 1900s, giving her deep personal ties to the community she serves.
Dr. Anderson graduated from Bellarmine Preparatory School in Tacoma and went on to attend California Lutheran University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in 2005. She completed her dental education at A.T. Still University- Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health, graduating with both her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree and a Certificate in Dental Public Health in 2009.
Before specializing in pediatric dentistry, Dr. Anderson spent nearly a decade providing dental care to underserved populations, including large immigrant, refugee, and migrant communities. In 2018, she completed her pediatric dental residency through the NYU Langone-Yakima program, as well as the LEND Fellowship through the University of Washington. She was chosen as the first-ever Western District Leadership Intern and achieved board certification in 2019. Dr. Anderson is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and maintains hospital privileges at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital.
After working as a pediatric specialist in both private practice and tribal health settings, Dr. Anderson’s diverse experiences and advanced training motivated her to open Tacoma Pediatric Dentistry. With a career rooted in service to patients from all backgrounds and a wide range of dental, medical, and developmental needs, the practice was intentionally created to fill a gap in the community. Her compassionate, patient-centered approach to pediatric dental care prioritizes inclusion, trust, and the highest-quality specialty care in a warm and welcoming environment for children and families.
Outside the office, Dr. Anderson enjoys spending time with her husband Ryan and their three young children, most of which is spent cheering from the sidelines at youth sporting events. She also enjoys cooking, canning, and is a devoted University of Oregon football fan- Go Ducks!
Dr. Anderson is deeply committed to leadership, advocacy, and service. She proudly serves as a Clinical Director for the Special Olympics Special Smiles Healthy Athletes Program and regularly speaks as a subject matter expert on pediatric dentistry, trauma-informed care and dental access for vulnerable populations. She is a member of the ARCORA Foundation’s CDE Advisory Committee and is actively involved in organized dentistry. Dr. Anderson is the Past President of the Washington State Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, currently serves as WSAPD Trustee to the Western Society of Pediatric Dentistry, is a graduate of the prestigious AAPD Leadership Institute at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, and is a member of the Evergreen Pediatric Dentistry Study Club.
Dedicated To Quality Care
Meet The Team
From the moment you and your child walk into our office, you’ll feel right at home. Our team makes check-ins smooth for parents, and our office is a comfortable, fun, and welcoming place for children of all ages. Want to learn more about our team? Get introduced to them below.
What to Expect
Your Child’s Experience
Once we welcome you and your child into the office, we’ll have you fill out a few forms. Then, when it’s time for your little one’s visit, we’ll bring them back to one of our comfy pediatric operatories and you can enjoy our beautiful views.
During routine exams and treatment, you’re always welcome to stay with your little one throughout their whole visit! Once they're settled, one of our caring dental assistants will clean, floss, and polish your child’s pearly whites. This keeps their smile bright and helps protect against cavities, too.
Dr. Anderson or Dr. Webb will then perform a comprehensive exam to assess your child’s oral health. This exam will also include X-rays, which will be reviewed to look for any hidden oral health problems that can’t be seen during a visual exam.
After the cleaning and exam is all finished, we will send you and your little one home with a goodie bag of dental essentials! If Dr. Anderson or Dr. Webb notices an issue with your child’s oral health, they’ll discuss it with you and develop a treatment plan.
What To Bring
We recommend bringing whatever your child needs to feel safe and comfortable, including comfort items like blankets or stuffed animals. You’ll also need:
- Your ID
- A method of payment like a debit or credit card
- Your insurance card, if applicable
- Past dental records, if available
- Health history, if available
Comforting Amenities, Advanced Technology
We have invested in a welcoming office with advanced technology to help your children feel comfortable throughout their entire appointment. Here are a few highlights of the amenities available at Tacoma Pediatric Dentistry.
TVs
Polycade
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Sensory-Friendly Office
Sedation Options
Digital X-Rays
Intraoral Scanner
LightScalpel CO2 Laser
How We Give Back
Dedicated To Our Community
Dr. Anderson spent nearly 15 years working as a dentist for underserved populations before founding Tacoma Pediatric Dentistry. Her passion for community service continues today, as she continues to work as a pediatric dentist at the Puyallup Tribal Health Authority, treating American Indian and Alaska Native populations.
Outside of the office, Dr. Anderson serves as a Clinical Director with the Special Olympics, Special Smiles Program helping promote and advocate for access to care for individuals with DD/IDD. Dr. Anderson and Dr. Webb are also both involved with Organized Dentistry. Dr. Anderson is a member of several local, regional, and nationwide dental societies, and is the Immediate Past President of the Washington State Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, as well as part of the AAPD Leadership Institute at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
Dr. Webb is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), and a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. She has been part of the AAPD Committee on Special Needs since 2010, and served as its chair for five years. She also currently serves in the AAPD Council on Postdoctoral Education as well as the Council on Scientific Affairs.
