First Impressions Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics

Hey there, I am Dr. Damon Cole. I am the oldest of four kids and was born and raised in Wausau, Wisconsin where I spent most of my time on the golf courses and basketball courts in the area. I discovered my passion for building and fixing things with model cars that were given to me by my dad. I placed first in the Pinewood Derby for Cub Scouts and was invited to race the car in the nation’s capital.

Growing up, I was extremely fortunate to have a pediatric dental practice in my city (the original “First Impressions” location!) that had cool slides and games in the lobby with TV’s above the chair to watch my favorite Disney movie, The Lion King. I always looked forward to my dental visits and hope kids feel the same way when coming to see me.

After graduating from Wausau East High School, I made the two-hour drive south to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I loved exploring the beautiful lakes – Monona and Mendota – that surround Madison and the miles and miles of bike paths that weave through the area. On Saturdays you could find me at Camp Randall rooting on the Badgers. On Wisconsin! After my time in Madison, I was fortunate to attend Marquette University School of Dentistry in Milwaukee and keep my Wisconsinite values and education going.

During my limited free time in dental school, I enjoyed coaching basketball and tutoring middle school boys in the subjects of math and reading. I know that my experiences working with children in a non-dental setting have prepared me to better treat them in the dental chair. My residency training took me down to the warm sun valley of Phoenix, Arizona for a couple of years – it was a change of scenery from my Midwest roots, but I had an awesome time! It is there, where I learned the ins-and-outs of pediatric dentistry while serving as chief resident during my second year. I became comfortable with all the various procedures that your child may need and am now ready to provide a range of services from simple dental visits to advanced sedation cases. After a couple years of learning in Arizona, I started to miss the cheese curds, brats, and good ol’ Friday night fish fry and am excited to move back and be closer to friends and family.
Pediatric dentistry was always at the forefront of my dental journey. I really enjoy being a part of the community and having the privilege of watching kids grow up and find their place in this world. It is a wonderful feeling to provide for the children and to advocate for both their oral and overall health. Seeing a kid walk away with a confident smile on their face after being anxious for their dental appointment brings me great joy. I look forward to working with kids and parents alike in providing the best individualized care for your child.

When I am not hanging out with the kids in the office and staying up-to-date on the latest dental advancements through continuing education courses, I like to spend time with my girlfriend, Lauren. We enjoy hiking, exploring the state parks, playing tennis, watching sports, and trying new pizza joints (please let me know if you have any good suggestions!). We are excited to become a part of the community and I look forward to meeting you and your child soon.

Cheers,
Dr. Cole