Coronado Pediatric Dentistry: Now located at 875 Orange Avenue, Suite 210, Coronado, 92118
When I ask Dr Howard Dixon DDS MS, of Coronado Pediatric Dentistry, why he chose pediatric instead of adult dentistry, his eyes light up as he answers enthusiastically, “with kids, it’s game time, all the time”. It is clear Dr Dixon is passionate about his profession, and has the “it” factor when it comes to building a rapport with children and youth. Dr Dixon, who started practicing in San Diego County in 1970, has relocated and expanded his space themed Coronado practice — which originally opened in 2008 — to keep up with the ever increasing demand for his services.
Now located on the 800 block of Orange Avenue, upstairs and next door to Coronado Fitness Gym, Dr Dixon’s new clinic boasts a central location; a cleverly designed interior; an increase in patient capacity and access to x-ray and panoramic x-ray facilities.
Children, teens, and parents will be wowed and mesmerized by the new clinic, “Coronado doesn’t have anything like this,” explains Dr Dixon, “This is a unique office that kids are going to go gaga over.” A highlight of the clinic is a planet shaped IT pod, housing multiple iPads for children to play in the waiting room.
Influenced by his father, a mechanical and structural engineer who worked in the space field, astronomy has been a great love of Dr Dixon’s, and he is enthusiastic about sparking his patient’s interest in the subject.
Coronado Pediatric Dentistry: Reception area
Unlike traditional dentist clinic’s, Dr Dixon’s new clinic includes an open plan design- with space themed art, a planet mural, and flat screen TVs affixed to the ceiling. The combination of these features allows for a more open and welcoming feel. The main examination room consists of four chairs, so siblings and friends can sit in adjoining chairs with parents close by, thus alleviating anxiety or apprehension some children may experience going to the dentist.
Dr Dixon, who had much input into the design layout, has catered to the needs of all patients and their families. The clinic also features two private exam rooms for clients requiring work best carried out discreetly, or for patients and/or parents not comfortable with the communal, open exam room. Also included in the design are rooms designed to discuss patient needs in private.
Coronado Pediatric Dentistry: Open plan exam room
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry suggests children be seen for a check-up no later than their first birthday. Children as young as two or three are presenting to pediatric dentists with significant tooth decay as a result of parents keeping their children on a baby bottle, with “apple juice is the absolute worse one,” Dr Dixon explains.
Dr Dixon practices Preventive Pediatric Dentistry, which aims to prevent tooth decay and disease, “If you bring your child to me at the right age, I will guide your child to where their risk of decay is very, very low or non existent.” Dr Dixon also takes the time to educate parents and patients about diet, home dental care, and detrimental habits such as thumb sucking.
Born in Oceanside to Canadian parents, Dr Dixon spent the majority of his childhood in Santa Monica. He studied dentistry at Marquette University, Milwaukee, and in the following years continued to accrue impressive dentistry credentials, receive various awards and sit on a number of national dentistry boards. His wife Donna, a Santa Monica native, also studied at Marquette University as a dental hygienist. Dr Dixon and Donna are proud parents to five children, many of whom followed in the professional footsteps of their father.
Dixon was attracted to the San Diego region and started practicing in the county in 1970. In 2006 he and his wife moved to Coronado and have enjoyed the island lifestyle. Dixon spends his spare time playing golf, reading and participating in book clubs, traveling and photography.
Fellow Pediatric Dentist, Dr Megan Burns DDS, joins Dr Dixon at the new Coronado clinic. Dr Burns joined Coronado Pediatric Dentistry in 2013.
Coronado Pediatric Dentistry is now located at:
875 Orange Ave
Suite 210
Coronado 92118
Ph 619 435 6655
For more information, visit their website at www.coronadopediatricdentistry.com
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Siobhan Bailie
Staff Writer
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