Meet the doctor
Meet Dr. Naila Farooq.
Dr. Naila Farooq is a board-certified pediatric dentist with more than 35 years in dentistry, the last 25 of them devoted entirely to children. Here is her training, her research, and the professional community she belongs to.
Only children
A board-certified pediatric specialist with more than 35 years in dentistry.
Pediatric dentists train for years beyond dental school on infants, children, and teens. Every dose, every X-ray, and every explanation here is scaled to a child, and Dr. Farooq has given each explanation many times. One dentist, and your child sees her at every visit.
- Diplomate, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
- Certificate in pediatric dentistry, University of Maryland
- Member, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
A note from Dr. Farooq
For more than 35 years I have dedicated myself to delivering top-quality dental and oral health care, and since 1999 I have specialized in pediatric dentistry. I was named one of America’s Top Dentists by the Consumers’ Research Council of America, and I take great pride in my private practice, Lakes Pediatric Dentistry in Commerce Township, Michigan. My mission is to make sure my patients receive timely and comprehensive dental care, regardless of the time or day of the week, and I remain dedicated to providing exceptional care to infants, toddlers, children, and teens.
I have traveled the globe to pursue my education. I first earned my Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree from De’Montmorency College of Dentistry in my native Pakistan, receiving a gold medal as the top graduate. I then traveled to the United Kingdom on a Commonwealth Scholarship to study at UCL Eastman Dental Institute, where I earned my Master of Science in dental public health and a diploma in dental public health from the Royal College of Surgeons. Finally, I moved to the United States, where I received my Master of Dental Science and a certificate in pediatric dentistry from the University of Maryland. I also completed my residency and post-doctoral fellowship at the Departments of Pediatric Dentistry and Oral and Craniofacial Biological Sciences.
The record
Training on three continents, research, memberships, and recognition.
Dr. Farooq trained on three continents before settling in Michigan. Here is the record, grouped by training, research, memberships, and the roles she holds today, starting with her board certification.
Training
- BoardDiplomate, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
- PakistanBachelor of Dental Surgery, gold medal as top graduate
- UKMaster of Science in dental public health, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, on a Commonwealth Scholarship
- USAMaster of Dental Science, University of Maryland
- USACertificate in pediatric dentistry, University of Maryland
Public health and research
- DiplomaDental public health, Royal College of Surgeons
- GrantNIH National Research Service Award training grant
- AwardMentored Clinical Scientist Development Award
- FundingMore than $400,000 in research grants awarded
- JournalsPublished in Special Care in Dentistry and Pediatric Dentistry
Memberships and roles
- NationalAmerican Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
- NationalAmerican Dental Association
- StateMichigan Dental Association
- StateMichigan Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
- CurrentMidwest representative, AAPD Political Action Committee
Affiliations and recognition
My career, research, and service
Over the course of my career I have held private practice positions at Henry Ford Medical Group in Detroit, as well as at Aga Khan University Hospital and the Medical Center in Pakistan. I have also contributed to academia with appointments in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry and the Department of Oral and Craniofacial Biological Sciences at the University of Maryland, along with the Department of Dental Public Health at De’Montmorency College of Dentistry.
In addition to my clinical practice, I have contributed to the field of dentistry through research and publications. I co-authored scholarly articles such as “Knowledge and Opinions and Practices Related to Oral Cancer Results of Three Elderly Racial Groups” for Special Care in Dentistry and “Success Rates of Formocresol Pulpotomy and Indirect Pulp Therapy in the Treatment of Deep Dentinal Caries in Primary Teeth” for Pediatric Dentistry. My commitment to advancing dental knowledge was recognized with awards including the National Institutes of Health National Research Award training grant and a Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award, totaling over $400,000.
Even today, I continue to advance my education so I can provide the highest quality care to my patients. I participate in professional organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and I am an active member of the American Dental Association, the Michigan Dental Association, the Michigan Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and the Oakland County Dental Society. I represent the Midwest on the AAPD Political Action Committee, and I have served on the MDA PAC board. In 2022 I completed the ADA Institute for Diversity in Leadership fellowship.
Research
Published research
Peer-reviewed papers Dr. Farooq co-authored during her training and academic work, each linked to its PubMed record.
- 01Caries control and other variables associated with success of primary molar vital pulp therapy.Vij R, Coll JA, Shelton P, Farooq NS. Pediatric Dentistry, 2004.
- 02Gender and laterality differences in thermosensation throughout the perceptible range.Sarlani E, Farooq N, Greenspan JD. Pain, 2003.
- 03Thermosensory intensity and affect throughout the perceptible range.Greenspan JD, Roy EA, Caldwell PA, Farooq NS. Somatosensory and Motor Research, 2003.
- 04Success rates of formocresol pulpotomy and indirect pulp therapy in the treatment of deep dentinal caries in primary teeth.Farooq NS, Coll JA, Kuwabara A, Shelton P. Pediatric Dentistry, 2000.
- 05Knowledge, opinions and practices of general dentists regarding oral cancer: a pilot survey.Yellowitz J, Horowitz AM, Goodman HS, Canto MT, Farooq NS. Journal of the American Dental Association, 1998.
- 06Knowledge, opinions, and practices related to oral cancer: results of three elderly racial groups.Yellowitz JA, Goodman HS, Farooq NS. Special Care in Dentistry, 1997.
How my team and I practice
My passion is advocacy, for my patients and for my profession. At Lakes Pediatric Dentistry, my team and I put prevention, early intervention, and overall wellness first. My staff is rigorously trained in best practices in sterilization, equipment upkeep, and patient relations, with a primary focus on building trust with our young patients through gentle, supportive care. We also work closely with parents to make sure they are well-informed about regular comprehensive evaluations, baby bottle tooth decay, sealants, fluoride treatments, and other essential preventative measures that contribute to healthy mouths and healthy lives.
What parents say about Dr. Farooq
Google review“She was wonderful with my son. They made sure he knew what they were going to do before doing it. She explained things slowly enough for him to not lose interest. I’ll recommend her each time. She’s wonderful with kids.”
Google review“Everyone at Lakes Pediatric Dentistry is absolutely wonderful. My little one enjoys going there. They make her feel very comfortable and are very good explaining to her what they are going to do. It is an absolutely pleasant place.”
Google review“Best pediatric dentist you could bring your kids too. Everyone who works there knows how to handle and talk to little ones and it makes every dentist appointment go smoothly and tear free. They are so kind my son loves it there”
Book a visit
Ready to schedule your child’s visit?
Call us during office hours or send a request online any time. Our team will reach out to book a time that works for your family.
New patients are always welcome.
Front desk, Monday to Thursday, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM
After-hours dental emergency? Call 248-345-6775.
Have an emergency?
If your child is struggling to breathe or swallow, or has a head injury, call 911 first. For a dental emergency that is not life-threatening, such as a knocked-out tooth, a broken tooth, dental swelling, or pain that will not settle, call our emergency line, day or night. We would rather tell you it can wait than have you sit on it over a weekend.