Dental Care

Learn more about these services by browsing the categories below.

Anderson Center for Dental Care

The Anderson Center for Dental Care (a collection of programs revolving around pediatric dental care) was established in 1996 to honor the legacy of Dr. Albert L. Anderson. Dr. Anderson was a highly respected pediatric dentist in San Diego who was dedicated to taking care of the dental needs of pediatric patients, especially those with special healthcare needs.

The goal of the Anderson Center is to improve the oral health of all children in San Diego County, particularly those with early childhood caries (ECC), disabilities or complex medical conditions through:

• community and professional education
• improved access to care
• advocacy
• treatment
• research

Community and Professional Education

• Trains pediatricians and ObGyns and their staffs about methods for improving the oral health of young children and children with special healthcare needs, the interaction of oral health, and overall health.
• Provides training for general dentists about pediatric dental emergencies, oral evaluation of young patients, treatment of urgent dental needs, dental treatment referral resources, standards of dental care for pregnant women, the latest research regarding transmission of oral bacteria from mothers to infants and toddlers, and the impact of mothers’ oral health on the health of their newborns.
• Reaches dental and medical providers and auxiliaries through national, state and community presentations, continuing education courses, conferences and Grand Rounds;
• Trains parents and caregivers of children with disabilities about the effects of dental disease on their children’s health, adaptive techniques in daily oral hygiene, what to expect at the first dental visit, and how to obtain dental treatment through a qualified provider.
• Educates medical and dental providers to refer children for their first dental visit when the first tooth erupts or at the latest by the first birthday.
• Provides condition-specific information about oral health for parents/caregivers of children with various medical conditions.

Improved Access to Care

• Conducts oral health assessments at the San Diego Regional Center for the Developmentally Disabled locations in San Marcos and San Diego.
• Provides home visits to qualifying children in collaboration with the San Diego Regional Center for the Developmentally Disabled. Individualized instruction for parents, teachers and service coordinators focuses on adaptive daily oral hygiene, care coordination and treatment referrals, and are provided in English and/or Spanish.
• Provides community oral health screenings.

Advocacy

• Participates at the local and state level in coalitions and other groups.
• Advocates for improved dental services for children and adults with disabilities.

Treatment

Provides limited funding for young children and children with disabilities who are uninsured, underinsured and have limited access to care or when they meet established funding criteria.

Research

Supports a limited number of dental student research projects related to our overall goals.

Donations

To make a donation to help improve children’s oral health or for more information about the Anderson Center, please call 858-576-1700, ext. 4806.