Business Details
29 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Child's Trusted Dental Care Partner in Loma Linda
Loma Linda Children's Dental Group has been dedicated to pediatric dental care since 1997, serving the Inland Empire region. Our practice focuses on creating a comfortable, child-friendly environment where we provide comprehensive preventive and therapeutic dental services for infants, children, and adolescents, including those with special healthcare needs. Our team of experienced pediatric dentists combines specialized training with compassionate care to address each patient's unique requirements. We utilize advanced techniques such as zirconia crowns and laser frenectomies while emphasizing early oral health education for families.Our newly constructed facility features efficient patient flow and welcoming spaces designed to reduce anxiety during dental visits. We maintain active communication with patients through follow-up calls and detailed procedural explanations, ensuring families feel informed and supported throughout their dental journey. Our commitment to continuing education ensures our team remains current with the latest pediatric dental advancements while maintaining a fun, engaging atmosphere that helps children develop positive lifelong dental habits.
Services
Pediatric Frenectomy
Zirconia Crowns
Sedation Dentistry
Special Needs Care
Preventive Dentistry
Details
- Year established: 1997
Highlights and features
- We offer specialized pediatric care with dentists who have completed 2+ years of pediatric dental residency
- Our child-friendly facility reduces anxiety with creative, welcoming spaces designed for young patients
- We provide personalized care plans for children with special healthcare needs and sensory issues
- Our team has performed thousands of successful frenectomies since 1997 using advanced techniques
- We emphasize preventive care with educational programs starting from children's first dental visits
What people say
Wonderful with kids
Clean and fun office
Personalized care approach
Experienced dental team
Comfortable for special needs
Services
Pediatric Frenectomy
Our pediatric frenectomy procedure addresses tongue and lip ties using advanced techniques to improve oral mobility. This specialized treatment helps infants and children overcome feeding difficulties, speech impediments, and dental spacing issues. Our experienced team performs this procedure with minimal discomfort using topical anesthesia and laser technology, followed by personalized post-operative care instructions to ensure optimal healing and functional improvement.
Zirconia Crowns
We provide durable, natural-looking zirconia crowns specifically designed for children's teeth. These biocompatible restorations offer superior aesthetics and strength compared to traditional stainless steel crowns. Our pediatric dentists precisely fit these crowns to protect damaged primary teeth while maintaining proper spacing for permanent teeth development, ensuring both functional and cosmetic benefits for young patients.
Special Needs Dentistry
Our practice offers specialized dental care for children with physical, developmental, or sensory challenges. We create customized treatment plans and modify our approach to accommodate individual needs, including sensory-friendly environments and gradual acclimation visits. Our team receives ongoing training in adaptive techniques to ensure all children receive comfortable, effective dental care tailored to their specific requirements.
Preventive Dentistry
We emphasize preventive care through regular checkups, cleanings, and patient education starting from infancy. Our comprehensive preventive program includes fluoride treatments, sealants, and personalized hygiene instruction to establish strong oral health habits early. We guide families through age-appropriate dental care practices to prevent tooth decay and promote lifelong oral health maintenance.
Sedation Dentistry
We offer safe sedation options including nitrous oxide and IV sedation for anxious or special needs patients. Our trained professionals carefully administer sedation to ensure children remain comfortable during dental procedures while maintaining safety protocols. This service enables us to complete necessary treatments efficiently while minimizing distress for young patients requiring complex or multiple procedures.
People
Christopher E. Wacker
Founder & Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Wacker has specialized in pediatric dentistry since completing his residency at Loma Linda University in 1997. He focuses on preventive care and caries management while emphasizing family education. He combines clinical expertise with a passion for making dental visits positive experiences for children.
Steven Kirby
Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Kirby completed his pediatric residency at Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland. He emphasizes establishing dental homes for children and preventive care education. He creates comfortable environments for patients through calm demeanor and engaging communication techniques.
Jixa Patel
General Dentist
Dr. Patel brings diverse dental experience from orthodontic treatment planning to clinical practice. She focuses on preventive dentistry while helping establish good oral hygiene routines for children and families in a welcoming, educational setting.
Melissa Davis
Office Manager
With 40 years in dental administration, Mel Davis oversees practice operations while maintaining the office's child-friendly atmosphere. Her extensive experience in pediatric dentistry helps ensure smooth patient experiences from scheduling through treatment.
Ceci Marquez
Registered Dental Assistant
Ceci brings over 30 years of pediatric dental assisting experience to our team. Her warm personality and child-focused approach help create positive dental experiences while supporting clinical procedures with expertise developed over decades of service.
Questions
What age should my child first visit a pediatric dentist?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a child's first dental visit by age 1 or within 6 months of their first tooth erupting. We offer complimentary exams for children under 2 years old.
How do you handle children with dental anxiety?
We use gradual acclimation techniques, positive reinforcement, and child-friendly explanations. Our office design and staff training focus on creating comfortable experiences, with options for sedation when necessary.
What are the benefits of zirconia crowns for children?
Zirconia crowns provide durable, natural-looking restorations that match surrounding teeth. They're biocompatible, resistant to chipping, and maintain proper spacing for permanent teeth while avoiding the metal appearance of traditional crowns.
Do you treat children with special healthcare needs?
Yes, we specialize in adaptive care for children with physical, developmental, or sensory challenges. We create personalized treatment plans and modify our approach to ensure comfortable, effective dental care for all patients.
What should I do for a dental emergency after hours?
Contact us immediately through our emergency line. We provide guidance for urgent situations like trauma or severe pain, and can arrange immediate care when necessary to protect your child's dental health.
How does a frenectomy improve breastfeeding difficulties?
A frenectomy releases tight oral tissues restricting tongue movement. This procedure can resolve latching issues in infants, improving breastfeeding efficiency while preventing future dental spacing and speech development problems.
