Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Pediatric Dental Care for San Diego's Underserved Children
Since 1952, our organization has dedicated itself to providing dental services and education to underserved children in San Diego. We operate the Children's Dental Health Center, School-Based Program, and orthodontic initiatives, reaching thousands annually. Our center near downtown San Diego has served generations, while our school-based program delivers on-site exams, cleanings, and sealants to low-income schools.We maintain a 90%+ program expenditure ratio, ensuring donations directly benefit children. Our experienced team prioritizes high-quality care in a positive environment, making us the preeminent program in San Diego County. With community support, we've impacted countless lives through improved oral health and continue expanding our reach.
Services
Dental Center Services
School-Based Program
Orthodontic Treatments
Dental Exams
Sealant Applications
Preventive Care
Pediatric Dentistry
Details
- Year established: 1952
Highlights and features
- 68 years of dedicated service to San Diego's underserved children
- 90%+ of expenditures directly fund dental care programs
- School-based program reaches 3,000+ children annually
- Experienced dental professionals with specialized pediatric training
- Proven track record of successful orthodontic treatments
Services
Dental Center Services
Our downtown San Diego dental center provides comprehensive pediatric dental care to underserved children. Services include routine checkups, restorative treatments, and emergency dental care. Our experienced team creates a welcoming environment for children while maintaining high clinical standards. This facility serves as our primary treatment location for thousands of patients annually.
School-Based Program
This initiative brings dental services directly to low-income schools. Our team conducts comprehensive exams, applies protective sealants, and provides preventive care on-site. The program currently serves over 3,000 children annually with exams and places sealants on nearly 4,000 teeth. This approach removes access barriers for families facing transportation or financial challenges.
Orthodontic Treatments
Our orthodontic program provides life-changing smile transformations for children who otherwise couldn't afford treatment. Under Dr. David Gilmore's direction, we deliver quality orthodontic care that improves both dental function and self-confidence. This specialized service addresses complex dental alignment issues that impact long-term oral health.
Sealant Applications
We apply dental sealants as part of our preventive care strategy to protect children's teeth from decay. This service is primarily delivered through our school-based program, with nearly 4,000 sealants applied annually. The procedure creates protective barriers on molars, significantly reducing cavity risk in high-risk populations.
Preventive Care
Our preventive care services include comprehensive dental education alongside clinical treatments. We teach proper oral hygiene techniques and emphasize early intervention strategies. This approach helps establish lifelong dental care habits while addressing immediate treatment needs through regular cleanings and exams.
People
Robert Chakarian
President
Robert leads our organization with decades of community service experience. He oversees strategic direction while maintaining our financial efficiency, ensuring over 90% of expenditures fund direct care programs. His leadership maintains our 68-year legacy of service.
Beverly Hom
Director of School-Based Program
Beverly manages our school-based initiatives, coordinating annual delivery of 3,000+ exams and 4,000 sealants. Her program brings critical dental care to underserved schools, addressing access barriers through on-site services for low-income communities.
David Gilmore
Director of Orthodontics
Dr. Gilmore leads our orthodontic program, providing specialized treatments that transform smiles. His expertise enables us to offer complex dental alignment solutions to children who otherwise couldn't afford these life-changing procedures.
Mariluci Byrnes
Director of Dentistry
Dr. Byrnes oversees clinical operations at our dental center. She ensures high-quality care standards across all treatments while mentoring our professional team. Her leadership maintains our reputation for excellent pediatric dental services.
Questions
How long has your organization been serving San Diego children?
We've provided dental care to underserved children since 1952, maintaining our 68-year commitment to improving oral health access.
What percentage of donations go directly to patient care?
We maintain a 90%+ program expenditure ratio, with 95% achieved in 2019, ensuring most funds directly benefit children's dental care.
Do you offer services outside your dental center?
Yes, our school-based program brings dental services directly to low-income schools through on-site visits by our dental professionals.
What dental specialties do you provide?
We offer comprehensive pediatric dentistry including preventive care, restorative treatments, and specialized orthodontic services for qualifying patients.
How can I support your mission?
Support options include general donations, memorial contributions, or tribute gifts. All donations help provide critical dental care for underserved children.
Reviews (1)
Monicayvette
Oct 15, 2021
Report
I have been coming to this location for years and Ive never had such rude and horrible attitude of service before. Front desk women completely disrespected us and gave us a nasty attitude named bertha I believe her name was. Im not sure if she doesnt like her job or if shes just a rude person. But I would love to speak to a manager when available if needed to ask more questions about our experience. And I will not refer friends and family nor will I be returning. I highly suggest hiring a caring and friendly person on the front desk and who answers the phone that doesnt have a attitude
