Top 10 Kids Dentist in Chula Vista California

Compare Chula Vista-area clinics on reviews, service fit, insurance, and booking convenience.

Reviewed August 12, 2026Ranking recomputed August 1, 20261 clinicsDr Maqsud Mallick, BDSHow we rank

Quick Answer

Which clinic looks strongest at a glance?

We prioritize local relevance, review strength, service breadth, access, price clarity, and patient experience signals.

At A Glance

  • Derek M. Lichter, DDS, Inc. is the strongest overall starting point in Chula Vista if you want a dependable option for pediatric dentistry.

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Quick Summary

1 clinics scored on this page

85.0

Tap any clinic below to jump to its card and compare ratings at a glance.

Smyleee Ratings are editorial signals based on reviews, quality of care, and patient feedback. Close scores should be treated as broadly comparable.

Kids Dentist Costs in Chula Vista, California (2026)

Approximate price ranges — may vary by provider and insurance plan

ProcedureTypical Cost
Child dental exam$50 – $150
Child dental cleaning$80 – $200
Fluoride treatment$25 – $75
Dental sealants (per tooth)$30 – $60
Baby tooth extraction$100 – $250
Pulpotomy (baby root canal)$200 – $400
Stainless steel crown$250 – $500
Space maintainer$200 – $500

Price ranges reflect typical Chula Vista, California pricing as of 2026. Actual costs vary by provider, complexity, and insurance coverage. Contact clinics directly for personalized quotes.

Prices verified Aug 12, 2026

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Top Clinics in Chula Vista Proper

Only clinics physically located in Chula Vista appear in this primary ranking.

1

Derek M. Lichter, DDS, Inc.

5.0(338)·645 m from Chula Vista Downtown
85Smyleee

247, F Street, Chula Vista, California

Open until 6 PM

Documented for pediatric dentistry in Chula Vista, with children / pediatric dentistry on the service list and 21 procedures on file.

Read full description

Derek M. Lichter, DDS, Inc. is a dental practice on F Street in Chula Vista, California. A dental implant replaces a missing tooth at the root, not just the crown — a small titanium post is placed in the jaw bone and, once it has integrated over a period of months, a replacement tooth is attached to it. It is generally the most durable option for a single missing tooth or several.

Clear aligners straighten teeth through a series of custom, removable trays, each worn for one to two weeks before moving to the next in the sequence. They suit mild to moderate crowding and spacing well, and are worn roughly twenty to twenty-two hours a day for treatment to stay on schedule.

A veneer is a thin custom shell bonded to the front of a tooth to change its shape, length, or colour, most often used to address chips, gaps, or discoloration that whitening alone cannot fix. Traditional veneers require a small amount of enamel to be removed, which makes the change permanent.

Cosmetic treatment is generally the least invasive branch of dentistry, built around changing how teeth look rather than fixing something broken. Whitening and bonding sit at the lighter end; veneers and reshaping involve more planning. Most cosmetic dental insurance excludes this kind of work, since it is elective rather than medically necessary.

Emergency dental care covers sudden problems that will not wait for a routine appointment — severe pain, a knocked-out or fractured tooth, swelling, or a lost filling that leaves a tooth exposed. Same-day or urgent appointments are the point of an emergency service, rather than the standard multi-week booking window.

A crown covers an entire damaged tooth — used when too much structure is missing for a filling to hold reliably, whether from a large fracture, extensive decay, or after root canal treatment. It restores both the shape and the biting strength of the tooth underneath. You can reach Derek M. Lichter, DDS, Inc. through this page to ask a question, check current availability, or request an appointment.

Services:Children / Pediatric DentistryCosmetic DentistryCrowns & BridgesDental Bonding+17 more
Offers Children / Pediatric DentistrySmyleee 85/1005.0★ · 338 reviews
Why this ranks
Best forChildren / Pediatric Dentistry
Why includedIncluded because this clinic directly offers Children / Pediatric Dentistry, 5.0★ Google rating across 338 verified reviews, and Smyleee Rating 85/100.
Stands outOffers Children / Pediatric Dentistry · Smyleee 85/100 · 5.0★ · 338 reviews
ProofBusiness hours publishedDirect phone numberPublic websitePrice range published21 services listed
VerifiedClinic data last verified Aug 2, 2026

Side-by-Side Comparison

Hard signals for every children / pediatric dentistry provider on this list — no opinions, just verifiable data.

#ClinicSmyleeeGoogleWkndIns.Fin.Offers
Children / Pediatric Dentistry
1Derek M. Lichter, DDS, Inc.855.0(338)

Smyleee Rating bands: 90+ Outstanding · 84–89 Excellent · 71–83 Very Good · 61–70 Good · below 61 Rated.

How to Choose a Dentist in Chula Vista - California

Use the ranking as a starting point, then narrow the shortlist based on the kind of care you actually need.

If you want routine or family care

Prioritize review consistency, insurance friendliness, practical hours, and a broad general-dentistry service mix over marketing language alone.

If urgency matters

Confirm same-day capacity, after-hours guidance, and whether the clinic handles urgent restorative work in-house or refers out.

If affordability matters most

Compare financing signals, insurance notes, and the local cost guide. A higher-ranked clinic is not automatically the best value for your specific treatment.

Questions to ask before booking

  • Do you accept my insurance or offer payment plans?
  • Are you taking new patients right now?
  • Do you handle my treatment in-house?
  • What is the total expected cost before treatment starts?
EditorialUpdated August 12, 2026Independently reviewed

Chula Vista has no shortage of dental providers — a quick search pulls up hundreds. The challenge isn't finding one, it's figuring out which ones actually deliver. We spent time reviewing patient outcomes, checking credentials, comparing pricing, and analyzing feedback from patients who've had kids dentist work done across the Chula Vista metro area.

This is the short list. Ten providers in Chula Vista, California that consistently showed up in the data — not because they paid to be here, but because their patients keep coming back and referring others. If you're weighing options for kids dentist in Chula Vista, start here.

Medically reviewed by

Dr Maqsud MallickBDS

Frequently Asked Questions

8 questions answered by our editorial team

In Chula Vista, a child dental exam typically costs $50 – $150, based on Smyleee's August 2026 local price data. Actual cost varies by provider, materials, and case complexity.
A pulpotomy (baby root canal) in Chula Vista typically ranges $200 – $400 (August 2026). Final pricing depends on the clinic, materials, and whether you have insurance.
A stainless steel crown in Chula Vista typically ranges $250 – $500 (August 2026). Final pricing depends on the clinic, materials, and whether you have insurance.
A baby tooth extraction in Chula Vista typically ranges $100 – $250 (August 2026). Final pricing depends on the clinic, materials, and whether you have insurance.
Smyleee ranks Chula Vista pediatric dentistry clinics on a weighted score: verified patient reviews (30%), clinical credentials and expertise (20%), technology and equipment (15%), accessibility (15%), pricing transparency (10%), and patient experience (10%). The list is recomputed from current data and independently reviewed by Dr Maqsud Mallick, BDS.
The ranking is recalculated on a rolling basis from current review and profile data and was last reviewed in August 2026. Clinics can move up or down as their underlying data changes.
Prioritise verified credentials and relevant training, modern equipment and sterilisation standards, a strong and recent review history, transparent pricing, and clear communication about treatment options. Confirm the clinic is taking new patients and offers pediatric dentistry before booking.
Many clinics in Chula Vista accept major dental insurance and offer financing such as in-house payment plans or third-party options like CareCredit for larger treatments. Coverage and financing vary by practice — confirm your plan is accepted and ask about phased or monthly payment options before treatment begins.

How We Vet Each Clinic

Every clinic on this list passes our verification process

  • License & standing verified — active California dental license confirmed with no disciplinary actions.
  • Patient review volume checked — minimum verified patient reviews across Google with a strong average rating.
  • Local presence confirmed — verified physical practice in the Chula Vista metro area with established patient base.
  • Technology & equipment assessed — modern dental technology and sterilization standards evaluated.
  • Transparent pricing reviewed — clear communication of costs, financing options, and insurance acceptance.

How We Scored the Best Clinics

Our transparent ranking methodology

Verified patient reviews & outcomes30%
Kids Dentist expertise & credentials20%
Technology investment & modern equipment15%
Accessibility (hours, location, scheduling ease)15%
Transparent pricing & financing options10%
Patient experience & comfort measures10%

How This Page Was Reviewed

We want this page to help users choose confidently, not just scroll a list.

Editorial checks

  • Locality and city fit
  • Review strength and rating consistency
  • Services, hours, insurance, and profile completeness
  • Paid placements kept separate from organic rankings

Transparency

  • Content updated: August 12, 2026
  • Ranking last recomputed: August 1, 2026
  • Medical reviewer: Dr Maqsud Mallick, BDS
  • Clinic verification dates reflect the latest synced or modified profile timestamp
  • Organic rankings are algorithmic, sponsored rows are labeled
  • Clinics can move up or down when underlying data changes

Keep comparing before you book

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