The Children’s Dental Centers represent an innovative approach to providing pediatric dentistry that will significantly improve access to high quality dental care for the children of our local communities. The centers combine the latest equipment and technologies and the best practices of pediatric dentistry with a fun, kid-friendly environment that is welcoming to children and families of various cultures, income and education levels.
The Children’s Dental Centers are a unique partnership between The Health Trust and Children’s Dental Group, a private enterprise that operates successful pediatric dental centers in Southern California. The Health Trust, with help from FIRST 5 Santa Clara County and El Camino Hospital, equipped the facilities and contracts with Children’s Dental Group to operate them. Children’s Dental Group employs local dentists and other staff and operates the facilities with its successful, high-efficiency business model. These are not “free clinics,” but innovative, sustainable for-profit businesses that allow thousands more children to receive the dental care they need. All children are served – those covered by private or government insurance plans, those whose parents qualify for reduced sliding scale fees, and those who need an oral health “scholarship” from The Health Trust.
The Children's Dental Centers employ a bilingual staff fluent in several languages, including Spanish, Vietnamese and Hindi.
East San Jose:
Tropicana Shopping Center
1153 S. King Road (at Story Road)
San Jose, CA 95122
VTA bus routes 12, 22, 25, 70, and 77
Sunnyvale:
897 West El Camino Real (between Mary and Mathilda avenues)
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
VTA bus routes 22, 54 and 522
There are several ways that the Health Trust Children’s Dental Centers are different from traditional dental offices, starting with the fun, kid-friendly look and feel. The lobby features interactive computer games and a movie theater. Three dental assistants work with each dentist in order to maximize patient flow and services. Specialized dental computer hardware and software, including a sophisticated scheduling system, adds to the efficiency of the operation and supports the comprehensive high quality dental care offered to children. Take a virtual tour to see the full effect!
It is recommended that children visit a dentist by the time they are one year old. Most patients at the Children's Dental Centers are under the age of 14. Once children become teenagers, their teeth begin to resemble those of adults, and it is advisable they see a regular dentist for the remainder of their lives.
Services include: examination of teeth and gums, X-rays to reveal decay, cleaning, sealants, topical fluoride, fillings, extractions and treatment of infections. An examination of the mouth can detect early signs of diabetes, bone and joint disease and cancer. Oral exams can also detect signs of abuse and neglect, poor nutrition and hygiene, growth and development problems. Visits to the Children’s Dental Centers incorporate oral health education so that the patient, siblings and parents learn more about how to clean and care for their teeth.
Children’s Dental Centers will not provide oral surgery or orthodontics. Treatment coordinators will refer families to appropriate dental professionals and specialists for procedures not available at the centers.
Dentists will administer local anesthetics (Lidocaine) to numb the treatment area and eliminate any pain that may accompany dental treatment. Oral conscious sedation is an option for children who are apprehensive. Nitrous oxide is also available and can be used independently or in conjunction with the oral conscious sedation. The use of oral conscious sedation techniques will be discussed with the parents/guardians of the patient before treatment.
For information regarding which services are covered under certain insurance programs, contact your insurance agency or see What insurance plans are accepted?
No child in pain is turned away. Emergency dental care, such as the accidental loss of a tooth or pain from infection, is provided immediately at the Children’s Dental Centers. Once the immediate crisis is over, the treatment coordinator will work with the parents to complete insurance forms if the child is covered, explore enrollment options if the child is not covered, or explain payment plans if insurance is not available or preferred.
Families are encouraged to call ahead, but walk-in patients will be accommodated if possible. Emergencies are always handled immediately – no child in pain will be turned away.
The Children’s Dental Centers accept Denti-Cal, Healthy Kids, Healthy Families and most major private insurance plans. Treatment coordinators at the centers will ask a few questions to determine if it is likely that the child will qualify for any type of insurance program. If yes, then insurance enrollment specialists from The Health Trust will be contacted to help the family complete insurance forms.
If the child does not qualify for any insurance program, a sliding scale will be used for fee-for-service. Treatment coordinators will explain cash payment plans including the use of credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover) or a monthly installment plan.
The Health Trust offers oral health “scholarships” for children who do not qualify for insurance coverage and whose families cannot afford to pay reduced sliding scale fees. The scholarships are only available for Santa Clara County residents.
The only paperwork required for proof of insurance is the insurance code and photo ID for the parent. If the child is in foster care or if the adult is a legal guardian, not the parent, then documentation authorizing the adult will be needed. If the insurance coverage is an HMO assigned to other dental practices, then the staff of the Children’s Dental Centers will help direct the family to the appropriate office.
Denti-Cal, Healthy Kids, and Healthy Families all cover one office visit every six months. This visit includes preventive care, teeth cleanings, topical fluoride, fillings, sealants, and diagnostic services (X-Rays). Any follow up care is handled on a case-by-case basis. In general, if additional care is considered “medically necessary”, it is covered by the patient's insurance. If it is a cosmetic measure (false teeth, braces, etc.) it is usually not covered.
Any type of identification that has a parent’s name and photo is accepted including a driver’s license, State Identification Card, passport (U.S. or foreign), “green” card, consulate identification card, bank card with photo, club membership with photo (such as Costco), credit card with photo, school-issued photo ID, work badge, temporary residence card, etc. It is not necessary for the parents to have government-issued identification, but it is required that some form of ID be provided.
The Children's Dental Centers offer dental screenings on the weekends, however, 3-4 weeks notice is needed to hold screenings. Up to 200 children may be screened daily. Email dpalencia@cdgdental.com for more information or to schedule a screening.
Children’s Dental Centers are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Parents are welcome to call the center nearest them or stop by to make an appointment during business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
East San Jose: Tropicana Shopping Center
1153 S. King Road (at Story Road)
408.240.1250
Sunnyvale:
897 West El Camino Real (between Mary and Mathilda avenues)
408.701.5882
The Children’s Dental Centers have a full-time Community Relations representative who will work with organizations and community residents to build relationships with the centers and manage outreach activities. We are happy to provide printed information about the centers in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.
