Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists

I went with my wife to this pediatric dental office to check out what my kids had been talking about and they were right! Great old school video games like the ones I used to play in the arcades. The staff was great and made my kids feel right at home. Dr Amodeo spent lots of time joking around with me while educating me on the status of my kids dental development. I learned a lot and almost felt bad that I had not known my youngest was just about to lose a tooth. Most impressed with this office and didn’t have any problems with insurance. The front desk was pleasant even though things were a bit busy. Kudos to my wife for finding this amazing place!

My 3 year old son damaged his 2 top center teeth, and ended up killing one of them so that it was brownish black. My family dentist said we would just have to live with it. I decided to take him here for a second opinion. Not only did this office give me options for care, they noticed that it was still at risk due to it’s obvious pink hue. This was 2 months after initial injury. With a «baby root canal» and tooth covering, Dr Lam eliminated all risk of infection and damage to the adult tooth, and eliminated the grey coloring. My baby boy loved the Dr, and the procedure was quick and painless. We also have our boy’s sweet white smile back again! I highly recommend this facility for all pediatric dentistry needs. They give you options when you may have been told otherwise!

Got a call from my child’s school telling me she had an enormous chip in a front permanent tooth that had already been broken once before. Our current dentist was 30 miles away so in a panic I checked Unilocal for a local pediatric dentist.
First, they fit us in same day. As a worried parent, seeing a professional immediately reduces a lot of stress and anxiety.
Second, walking in the door is daunting. This is a HUGE practice and it was a little overwhelming. Wasn’t sure where to go or how to check in. (Ortho is around on the left hand side)
Of course, since this was an emergency I had NO INFO on my insurance with me. They asked where I worked and were able to confirm my insurance, but not my husbands. They walked me through all charges and explained they were out of network for my insurance and explained some of the issues I might experience with dual insurance. Billing staff seem knowledgeable and I feel confident they know what they are doing.
Finally, and most importantly, care. Our cruise director was Jennifer (she was with us for the entire process) and she was awesome. She put my daughter at ease and kept me informed of each step in the process. Dr. Amodeo was thorough and recommended a non invasive treatment. My kid was a little freaked out about the repair after having been through it once before. I opted for the gas (this has cost $ 200+ in the past) to help her relax, and was pleasantly surprised by the low cost of $ 45 for the amount they used.
We had a great first time experience here, and I would highly recommend them. After reading other reviews, I’ll definitely review my bills, and update if I find any issues, but I don’t expect to have any problems!

Dr Amodeo and his staff are caring and efficient. My daughter is very comfortable every time we come in. Thank you and keep it up.

Had a comforting experience with Dr. Goode. Our daughter is 17 months and needed work done. Dr. Goode was amazing with our daughter she was informative, and was confident that the work could be done in office. We searched all around Riverside County and we could not find a dentist that felt comfortable doing the work on our daughter. Dr. Goode did and was able to give us piece of mind.

I take my three sons to PDOS. The doctors, assistants, and the front staff are wonderful. Visiting a dentist office is scary to many kids, but my kids love going there. We don’t have to wait too long to see the doctor and service is great. Our experience has always been great. I always recommend this office to my family and friends.

The orthodontic side is the best. My son’s teeth are perfectly in line now. The dental side is really good with the kids. The staff has a way of working with the kids so that they won’t be scared.

We were referred to PDO Specialists by our regular dentist after my son freaked out when she attempted an extraction. I loved this place. The staff was very friendly and efficient. The did a very good job of putting my super nervous son at ease. Every step of the process was explained to me and I kept in the loop at all times.
My son breezed through the extraction and is great spirits. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this practice to any one who may need work on their children.

We have had quite a few issues with billing; getting bills 6+ months after the fact and some being incorrect, etc. Because of this we chose to move to a new dentist/​orthodontist. After we decided to move offices we got a call from them explaining my son needed fillings, 5 months after his last appointment there (this particular son has never even had a cavity). So we made an unneeded appointment at our new dentist and our son had to get unneeded X-​rays done, where it was confirmed that he didn’t need any fillings.
Needless to say I was very frustrated with this office after that, so I wrote a very long and detailed Unilocal review, which was obviously read by the Staff at PDO. The day after the Unilocal review I got another bill from them, 11 months after the fact! So I called to find out the details of the bill and to make sure we haven’t already paid it. In doing so, they made this mistake right and we were pleased with that.
Later that evening, I got a call from Dr. Lam wanting to talk about the issues and the Unilocal review I had written. She was great and I appreciated her taking the time to call to discuss the many issues. I found out why the mistake was made on my son’s chart and we realized it was a clerical error and that they would not have done unneeded fillings on my son but it was still a hassle. She owned their mistakes and apologized for the issues. I truly believe they will make changes to better their practice so less clerical and billing issues will take place.
As far as the dentists and dental assistants we were pleased here, it is unfortunate that the many billing issues made us leave, and our decision was confirmed by the mistake on my sons chart and lack of attention to detail. I know Dr. Lam is working on this and I can appreciate that they owned their mistakes and are trying to make it better.

Great staff and they work really well with the kids!

My son needed braces — he had an open bite on the right side of his mouth and had a hard time eating. We met with a handful of other Orthodontist in the area. We really like this office, the staff and the doctors (especially Dr. Eitzen). My son and i were very comfortable and felt confident in his knowledge and experience to help my son.
We haven’t been disappointed! He is almost ready to have his braces removed and can’t believe what a difference it has made! I was referred to them by a friend and have continued to tell others about them as well.

At first glance, this office is a kid’s dream. So many things to entertain the kids in the waiting room. I couldn’t believe the size of this place or all the charts they have — WHOA! It’s a huge practice.
I took my son, who was 5 years old, for his check-​up before starting school. The visit was pleasant, and everyone was very nice. Here’s where the 1 star rating comes from: the x-​rays supposedly showed my son had two cavities in between his teeth. I was horrified because we have been so religious about his dental hygiene. I went to make the appt to get the cavities filled and in doing so, the receptionist told me that I could not go back in the room with my son. My son would not have been okay with this. After stressing about this for a week, I decided to get a second opinion. I took my son to my dentist, who looked at the original x-​rays and took new x-​rays. Her x-​rays (which were much better quality, by the way) showed absolutely no cavities. I am sickened that I almost put my son through an unnecessary, stressful dental procedure. If you go here and are told your child has cavities, PLEASE get a second opinion. We have since found a new pediatric dentist who has no restrictions regarding parents being with their child during a procedure.

I called PDO Specialists because I needed some attachments for Invisilign replaced. The office I have been going to for my treatment is in the San Francisco Bay Area and I have recently moved back to San Diego. They got me in right away which was great since I was wanting to continue progressing with my treatment.
Upon arrival, the front office staff was very pleasant and welcoming. I had my 2 year old son with me and needed to take him to the restroom. To my surprise they had a great built in changing table — not those plastic ones that hinge on the wall — and a child size potty and a child size sink! My son was so excited about this as was I! They then invited me to feel free to wait in the kids area where there was a children’s movie playing or there were video games we could play on the other side of the office in a different waiting area. I was seen promptly so there was no need to linger in their lovely waiting area.
My appointment was with Dr. Eitzen. The staff that prepared the area and worked with Dr. Eitzen was so nice. Dr. Eitzen looked at what needed to be fixed and replaced with my attachments and was very precise in his work. I heard him say he didn’t like how one looked and he did it again and another one he filed because it had a «ledge» on it. He had to with the actual invisilign tray and not the tray the orthodontist usually uses to put attachments on because my previous Dr. threw that one away after he put my attachments on. More than half needed to be replaced.
I was shocked that Dr. Eitzen actually performed the work. At my bay area office the Dr. never touched my mouth! His staff always did. Dr. Eitzen was gentle, and thorough and I felt like a person rather than a number. His staff even brought over a little horse for my son to sit on while I was being treated! Oh and the view from the chair was gorgeous. I felt like I was on vacation! :)
My experience at this office was wonderful! Thanks Dr. Eitzen and team!

One visit to this office just about made our oldest daughter, now 8 going on 9, not want to ever see a dentist again. Oddly we were referred to the practice by our primary (adult dentist) after I asked for a recommendation for a kind, loving and patient practice after a less than wonderful experience with our original pediatric dentist in Encinitas, CA who pulled two teeth while being held down.
In hind sight we ended up with exactly what we were trying to avoid — another bad experience that further alienated our daughter from wanting to go to the dentist. Instead of allowing me to stay with our daughter after explaining why were there, seeking a good dose of TLC (during basic teeth cleaning and x-​rays) after a prior bad experience — she was taking to a treatment area where I was not allowed to go. Long story short she was swaddled (exactly what I did not want). My daughter reported ‘they were mean, and they yelled at me”. Needless to say we’ve never going back. But it gets worse.
We went to our new (kinder and gentler pediatric DDS) today and on the way home we were discussed last year’s visit at PDO Specialists. My daughter again commented they were mean and they yelled at her. I asked, what exactly did they say. Our daughter has a pretty significant gag reflex. Apparently while swaddled they were doing x-​rays and she was very uncomfortable and gagging. She said she felt like she was going to throw up, to which she was told if she did she’d have to clean it up herself! As a parent, hearing your child fill in the blanks on what she meant when she said for a year that this practice was mean made my blood boil. Our daughter is not inclined to make up stories or exaggerate. She’s thoughtful and for almost 9 she chooses her words surprisingly carefully. Hours after she told me the above I asked her clarify what was said — she repeated it as she had before, if you throw up you’ll clean it up yourself.
I take full responsibility for making the decision to take our daughter to PDO Specialists. It was a mistake. Clearly, the vast majority of reviews on this practice are very positive. I can’t imagine our experience is the norm, but then again there are clues within other Unilocal reviews that seem to echo sporadic lack of tact, lets say, with some of these young patients.
In reflection — although I am sympathetic to the stresses of treating young children in mass (and maybe that’s part and parcel to the problem — the practice is just too big to control quality of care fully) this is a pediatric practice for goodness sakes. By definition — it requires infinite patience. If you find yourself saying things like «if you throw up you’re going to clean it up’ while working in a pediatric dental practice I think it’s safe to say it’s time to find another line of work.
Lesson learned — I’ll stay with my children at all times during routine cleanings and x-​rays, unless they’re much older (teens or early 20s) and they’re going in for oral surgery (wisdom teeth) and it’s truly the norm to not be present.

Who would have thought at the grand age of 9 months my daughter would be visiting a dentist?
Well, my hubby is big on dental health so thought it very apt to get her introduced to the scary people with metal tools and big chairs as early as possible, for a check up nothing else mind you. After all with only 8 teeth freshly in she didn’t require work.
The building is right near the Chinese restaurant. The décor inside is amazing very 50’s/Route 66 with old arcade machines.
The staff are friendly and helpful.
As it was only a first check up we went into a tiny room with the nurse and the dentist and went over health etc and they have us recommendations.
There were many toys suitable for little ones to keep them occupied and the nurse helped keep my daughter occupied while I completed necessary information.
The bigger kids having orthodontic work get amazing views over the park.
A very friendly approachable dental practice. We will return when she has more teeth for regular check ups.

All 3 of my kids have been both dental and ortho patients at this practice for years. They loved the environment so I kept taking them. I also grew suspicious when I was told that they wanted to pull permanent teeth. I put my foot down and said no. Additionally, one of the biggest rip offs is the concept of «Phase One and Phase Two» orthodontia. I have discussed this with many parents who took their kids elsewhere and it is completely unnecessary. You end up blowing your ortho benefits on a 10 or 11 year old and then pay out of pocket when they are 13. My youngest child will be getting braces soon and it will not be with Dixon and Thurston.
On a positive note, the dental Drs. have all been wonderful to me with the exception of recommending pulling permanent teeth.
The billing is a hassle and I had my file marked to get pre –authorizations BEFORE work was done. I don’t need any $ 300 surprises!

I cannot recommend this dentistry more.
They are always professional and neat. It is perfect for clients of all ages.
However, best of all are the hygienists and dentists themselves. They are the friendliest, kindest, and most caring people you could imagine. It is always a welcoming, happy venue, and you leave better off then when you came in. I am so grateful for this location. I highly recommend it. Forget about all the negative reviews. This place is worth it. You will not be disappointed.

It’s a family business built with kids in mind. Dr. Amodeo and Dr. Eitzen are very good with my kids and outstanding people on a personal level! We have booked with other dentists if our Dr.‘s were full and they were just as fine also. There are plenty of things to keep the kids occupied while waiting or to make them feel comfortable. I am surprised there are even bad reviews. Word on the street is they are the best in town, so don’t listen to the negative comments on here!

We are so Happy our friends recommended this office to us. The staff is just AWESOME and the kids can play games while in the waiting room and they can watch movies when they are getting their teeth taken care of in the back.
Dr’s Mike (general) and Chris (ortho) are SUPER and I wish I could give them more than 5 stars!

The good thing about this office is that if you have multiple children, I have 4, they have enough dental assistants that they can see all of the children in the same hour.
After reading some of the reviews about children not wanting to go back with the dental assistants, I have to share that this happened with one of my sons. He said one of the dental assistants was mean to him. She didn’t stop when he indicated her cleaning hurt him. He said she kept poking his gums.
I talked to the dentist and he brushed my son’s complaint aside. He said kids are told to tap the chair when something hurts and the dental assistant will stop. My son said she did not stop. I trusted my son and took him to another dentist.
My other children are fine with this dentist and have had no complaints. They have an inviting recption area, coffee for parents, and free video games and movies for the kids. There is also an orthodontist sharing the office, so this is helpful when kids need braces removed for their cleaning. Aside from the time above, the doctors have been very informative and took time to explain everything and answer questions.