Gentle Pediatric Dentist in San Diego

My daughter is also 2. She chipped her front tooth twice at around 20 months. We took her once to a dentist in carlsbad which was an awful experience. We took her the second time to Dr. Toppi in Clairmont/PB. We had a great experience there. We've only be once, but we tried that office because it was highly recommended to us. Good luck!

If you want to go a little further, the Drs. Dixon are in Sorrento Valley. There are 3 in the family and another dentist or 2. They are gentle, give toys and toothbrushes and their staff is great. There is a play area and computer games for older kids. Google pediatric dentist sorrento valley or Dr. Dixon. We saw Stephanie Dixon and she was very nice.

There is a pediatric dental group in SD that is awesome. Their office is purely for kids. THey have nintendo, toys, and it's all geared towards a space theme. The hallways have little toy boxes, and the doctors and staff are wonderful. It is SD Pediatric Dentistry. They have a website - www.drdixon.com.

I would totally recommend them. They do not treat adults, which makes me feel even more confident that they really know how to treat kids and focus on kids' needs.

Good luck!

My son (5) has been seeing Dr. Toppi in Clairemont for the past 2-3 years. He/they're awesome!

Hi K.-

We have been going to San Diego Pediatric Dental Group - Dr Dixon (right off the 805 before the merge with 5). So far we have really loved it there. We first went when our daughter was about 18 months and they were really good at getting the "job" done without traumatizing her. We have seen Dr Dixon (the Father) and the last time we went we saw Dr Dixon (the son). They were both great!

Here is a link www.sandiegopediatricdentalgroup.com/

5627 Oberlin Dr. Suite #100
San Diego, CA 92121
###-###-####

Hope that helps

Hi, K.. At the same age, two of my kids had to have dental surgery to repair damaged teeth (caps, fillings, etc.). A good dentist is a must! Ask friends, go to the dentist's office. Having had a horrifying experience and now terrific ones, here are some things to look for: A dentist office that is open and lets the kids go around and watch each other so nothing is "secret" or scary; a dentist that is calming and never yells at the kids; a dentist who will let you bring your daughter and "hang out" so that she gets comfortable before she's ever examined. Talk to the hospital personnel where your daughter will be seen to get a feel for the dentist's manner and reputation. I would recommend dental work at a hospital for small kids because there is no trauma or memory of the work. As a side note, the dentist my children go to is unbelievably good. The nurses at the hospital practically fight to work with him because he is so kind and compassionate to them and the kids. The office has games and is kid-friendly. He has an open, welcome office and very little staff turnover. (Remember that just because they say pediatric, doesn't mean they are kid-oriented. And trust your instinct. If you think there is something wrong, there may be.)

I have been taking my 2 1/2 year old to a pediatric dentist in El Cajon since she was 1. They are very nice and respectful as far as not pushing to get things done my daughter is not ready for (xrays, cleanings, etc.). After 3 visits my daughter was finally ready for a cleaning and loved it! I even had to go buy her a toothbrush that spins...just like at the dentist. It also helped to read stories about visiting the dentist before we went.

their website is: http://www.dentaldocsforkids.com/

good luck! Start early so they think it is normal and "fun" to visit every 6 months.

We LOVE Brian Suzuki in La Mesa. He isn't a just a pediatric dentist but his staff is absolutely amazing with kids especially young ones. They do all the kid stuff, have a tv on with cartoons...explain exactly what is going on in "kid language" and they get a good toy. For the 1st visit they took a picture and mailed it to us afterwards. My son was excited to get mail and especially a picture of himself. He is excited to go to the dentist and announces his visit to everyone. My best friend also took her scared of the dentist son and he did great and is no longer scared! Good Luck. His office is on Fletcher Dr/El Cajon Blvd. ####-###-####.
Just a little thing I do is promise my son ice cream after the visit for being good. there is a baskin robbins on the corner near the office.

I'm glad you asked this, when my son was 2 we went to the dentist and the dentist looked over his teeth but did nothing, dismissing him as too young.

Hi K., I take my children to Mitchell Poiset, Pediatric Dentist, 3030 Children's Way, Suite 107, San Diego
###-###-#### His group is located near Children's Hospital. They specialize in pediatric sedation. He's done quite a bit of work on my son. Also Bill Boyer in La Mesa is quite good, he is a general dentist I think he is in the Avocado Shopping Center of the 94 East.

The tooth fairy on f st is geared specifically for children and they are very good Ive had two generations of children in san diego they are the best in town dont go to the california smiles dentist on 3rd ave bad dentists and not very gentle for little ones the tooth fairy is in the local directory on f st across from the regestors office and red lobster second floor if you have trouble finding it log back on and i'll find you a number I think its Nazli Keri.Also goes by the tooth fairy.
Yes they have sedation dentistry both medicine and gas both partial and complete and goes by wieght. The address is in Chula Vista.

I'm not in your area, but I've had very good luck with 1-800-DENTIST -- explain the situation and see what they have for you.

Hi, K..
I take my daughter, age 6, to Dr. R.J. Ewing, on Kemper St. right near the Sports Arena ###-###-####). She's been going there since she was two. He's not a pediatric dentist, but is good with kids. I think the hygenist (sp?) is most important, as that person will have the most contact with the child. Ours is Korla, who is absolutely wonderful with little kids. I highly recommend her. Good luck.
- J., single mom to a wonderful little girl.

He was a general dentist, but Dr. Richard Katnik in Clairemont was really great. I always saw little ones in there. If you don't have a family doctor yet, I can't say enough good things about Dr. Edward Brantz. I miss him--what a great and caring man! Good luck!

This might be a little out of your way but I recommened The Super Dentist locted at 345 F Street #260 Chula Vistathere number is ###-###-#### they are great they speicialize in kids have a great scheduling system they are great, my son who is three and autistic loves going, and my six year old also had a bad experience loves going as well

Dr. Tim Christian in Tierrasanta is awesome! Dr. Mary Oconner in Hillcrest is worth the drive.

I don't think you even need to consider sedation for a check up/cleaning. It is so quick and if you get a great pediatric dentist, I bet things will go fine.

At my recent dentist appt, I learned by overhearing and watching a little bit just how good that office was with kids. It is a family dentist. For years I've been taking my kids to a pediatric dentist but I may just change in the near future and take them to my dentist. He however is in Escondido, so that is no help to you. If you love your own dentist, check and see if he can see your daughter or call them for a referral of a great pediatric dentist. That is if you don't get the responses you are looking for here.

Don't beat yourself up!
M.

K.

i have a great Ped Dentist but he is in Long Beach! Just to give you a little history....my family has very bad teeth !! So my oldest now seven at the time 5 had eight cavities.....we did the IV sedationa nd the dentist did all 8 at once! he did not remember a thing and to this day has a great experience when he goes for check ups. Then we discovered my 3 year old had soft teeth, with major tooth decay practically on every tooth....so we opted for the iv sedation again. He has 7 silver crowns now and had to have his 4 front teeth completely cap'd. And again he does not remember a thing and loves the dentist. his name is Dr. Santos Cortez, in long beach......maybe he can refer you to someone like him in your area......

Good Luck...Jennifer

DDS Jean Chan in El Cajon is excellent! check out their website www.healthygrins.com I have 5 kids, of which the oldest is almost 17 going to this dentist. They love it there!

HI K.!
I'm sorry your girl was bit in the face. I'm not from the San Diego area so I can't help you but I thought you should know that the pediatric dentist that I use doesn't see kids until they are at least 3 years of age. He says before then they just don't sit still long enough to have their teeth checked. Good luck whatever you decide:)

Are you military? If so I highly recommend Dependents Dental in Tierrasanta. Dr. John is the pediatric dentist and he is awesome! He sings silly songs while he "counts" their teeth. You can go in with them and sit them on your lap. They're very family oriented.

I would definitely recommend using a pediatric dentist. My daughter needed a filling when she was younger, and I made the mistake of taking her to my (former) dentist. They were not gentle or good with kids, and basically told me that I should bribe my daughter into co-operating by buying her a toy or a prize. We now use Dr. Rossane Sosa at 10715 Tierrasanta Blvd. ###-###-####. A very child friendly office with lots of toys, movies, flavored gloves, etc.

Dr. Mike Maurer is wonderful. He works in a pediatric office that is very child friendly...the rest of the staff is great also. Pediatric and Adolescent Dentistry in El Cajon. The number is ###-###-####. I would mention her previous traumatic experience so that they can possibly assist with some recommendations.

I wouldn't recommend the Dixons..They don't allow parents to stay with their children.. I mean what do you guys do that we can't be there? I am able to comfort my daughter when I'm with her and I feel easier when I know whats happening to her. I recently discovered a new pediatric dentist in Mira Mesa area. He is amazing with kids and my terrified daughter let him do whatever he had to do. He was very caring and explained to me everything he was doing. This is their email address, you can make appointments online as well. http://scrippspediatricdentistry.com