Business Details
41 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Pediatric & Family Dentists in San Diego
San Diego Dental Specialists has been dedicated to providing exceptional dental care for over four decades. Our board-certified specialists combine 25+ years of collective experience with a compassionate approach to serve patients of all ages. We prioritize creating stress-free visits through kid-friendly amenities, comprehensive sedation options, and personalized treatment plans tailored to individual needs.Our team actively engages in community education programs and school outreach, reflecting our commitment to holistic oral health. With advanced training in pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, and emergency care, we ensure every patient receives expert, consistent treatment in a welcoming environment designed to build trust and long-term relationships.
Services
Pediatric Dentistry
Orthodontics
Family Dentistry
Emergency Dentistry
Sedation Dentistry
Invisalign
Braces
Crowns & Bridges
Dental Implants
Teeth Whitening
Details
- Year established: 1985
Highlights and features
- We offer 40+ years of combined experience in pediatric and family dentistry
- Our board-certified specialists use advanced sedation techniques for patient comfort
- We provide comprehensive dental education programs for local schools
- Our team includes experts in treating children with special needs
- We offer same-day emergency appointments for urgent dental care
What people say
Exceptional staff
Knowledgeable team
Stress-free visits
Accommodating service
Excellent care
Services
Pediatric Dentistry
Specialized dental care for infants, children, and teens focusing on preventive treatments and positive dental experiences. Our board-certified specialists use child-friendly techniques and advanced sedation options to ensure comfortable visits. We emphasize early oral health education and developmental monitoring to establish lifelong dental habits.
Orthodontics
Comprehensive orthodontic solutions for children, teens, and adults including traditional braces, Invisalign, and clear aligners. Our specialists create customized treatment plans to correct bite issues and align teeth for improved function and aesthetics. We utilize modern technology to achieve optimal results while maintaining patient comfort throughout treatment.
Emergency Dentistry
Immediate care for dental trauma, severe toothaches, and broken restorations with same-day appointment availability. Our experienced team handles urgent cases efficiently while prioritizing patient comfort. We provide comprehensive follow-up treatment to restore oral health after initial emergency interventions.
Sedation Dentistry
Advanced sedation options including nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and IV sedation for anxious patients or complex procedures. Our specialists tailor sedation plans to individual needs while maintaining strict safety protocols. This service enables comfortable dental experiences for patients with special needs or dental phobias.
Family Dentistry
Complete dental services for all family members from routine checkups to restorative treatments. We offer preventive care, cosmetic dentistry, and prosthetic solutions in a welcoming environment. Our approach focuses on maintaining oral health across generations through personalized treatment plans and patient education.
People
Dr. Michael Amodeo
Pediatric Dentist
Board-certified pediatric dentist with 25+ years of experience specializing in child-friendly dental care. Graduated from UCLA with pediatric dentistry residency and Craniofacial Anomalies certification. Active member of ADA and CDA, focusing on education and creating welcoming environments for children.
Dr. Christy Lam
Pediatric Dentist
Dedicated pediatric dentist with specialty training from USC and Children's Hospital LA. Specializes in early oral health education and care for migrant communities. Combines biological and financial expertise from USC education to provide comprehensive pediatric dental solutions.
Dr. Lori Good
Pediatric Dentist
Specialist in treating children with special needs and craniofacial anomalies. Holds masters degree in Craniofacial Biology from USC and coordinates care with Rady Children's Hospital. Active in community service and social action initiatives while maintaining general and pediatric dentistry expertise.
Dr. Gordon Dixon
Founding Pediatric Dentist
40-year veteran in pediatric dentistry with extensive experience in medical genetics and orthodontics. Completed Peace Corps service in India before dental specialization. Maintains active collaborations with UCSD cleft palate teams and Rady Children's Hospital specialists.
Dr. Martin Thurston
Orthodontist
Orthodontic specialist with 35+ years of experience focusing on functional bite correction. Holds masters degree from UCLA and maintains active memberships in multiple orthodontic associations. Combines dental expertise with nutritional and joint mechanics knowledge for comprehensive treatment planning.
Questions
What emergency dental services are available?
We provide same-day treatment for toothaches, broken teeth, lost crowns, and dental trauma with experienced emergency dentists available during regular business hours.
Do you accept dental insurance?
We accept all major insurance plans and offer CareCredit financing options for uninsured patients seeking quality dental care solutions.
What pediatric dental services do you offer?
Our pediatric services include preventive care, sedation dentistry, special needs treatment, and early orthodontic intervention using child-friendly techniques and equipment.
Are evening or weekend appointments available?
We offer Saturday appointments twice monthly and maintain flexible scheduling options to accommodate family dental needs after regular business hours.
What orthodontic options exist for adults?
Adult orthodontic treatments include Invisalign, clear braces, and customized solutions for bite correction while maintaining aesthetic and functional dental health.
How do you handle anxious dental patients?
We provide comprehensive sedation options including nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and IV sedation tailored to individual comfort needs and treatment requirements.
Reviews (5)
Khatol R. Shahryar
Jun 13, 2022
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Wowww! Where was this dentist office when I was a child?! They were so professional and sooo patient with my son. Jen took the time to introduce every single tool they needed to use to my son. She explained every step to him to make sure he had an great first time experience at the dentist. I've never seen him warm up to anyone so quickly. He can't wait to go back and made sure we purchased the flavor toothbrush they recommend and tooth paste flavors. By far the best dentist office I've ever been to ESPECIALLY for a child!
Nicole Darcy
Mar 23, 2022
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They are the best pediatric dentists. All of my kids love going to see Dr. Lam and Dr. Amodeo. Always a positive experience.
Shannon Isley
Feb 26, 2022
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I can honestly say that I look forward to my appointments with PDO Specialists every single time : I have been coming here my whole life and they take excellent care of me and my family. My brother is neurodivergent and handicap and they treat him with the upmost care making sure to accommodate him and staying patient. The staff are friendly and they enjoy catching up with their patrons and clients. You can't go wrong with choosing this establishment for your care.
Maya Howes
Feb 18, 2022
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I have going here for almost 20 years, ever since I had teeth as a child. I've always had a good experience with their dentists and orthodontists. They are very caring and gentle and they got me excited to brush my teeth as a kid!
Alexa Fischer Hampton
Feb 15, 2022
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My husband and I and our two kids (aged 3 and 6.5) just had our first appts here, and it could not have been better! Every single person we interacted with was so helpful and attended to our various needs perfectly! Both of the kids left kids left very happy, and the adult care was incredible too.
