Our Story

At SLO Pediatric Dental, caring for kids’ smiles has been a community tradition since 1985. Founded by Dr. Jac Pedersen, our office was built on a simple but powerful belief: the best dentistry is prevention. That philosophy still guides everything we do today.

When Dr. Vik Tiku joined the practice in 2015, he proudly continued the warm, child-centered approach Dr. Pedersen established. In 2022, Dr. Cha joined our team, adding even more expertise and heart to our practice. Together, our board-certified pediatric dentists are committed to providing the most up-to-date, thoughtful care—while never losing sight of what matters most: your child’s comfort, confidence, and long-term health.

We believe the best time to start dental care is by age one. Early visits give your child time to get comfortable with us before any surprises happen—and allow us to catch or prevent small issues before they turn into big ones. And while prevention is always our goal, we understand that surprises can happen. When they do, we’ll be there for you.

From the moment your child walks through our doors, we work hard to make them feel safe and at ease. Our playrooms help kids settle in, movies stream during treatment, and our team is famously skilled at making balloon animals. Every visit ends with a toy and a smile—because positive early experiences can shape how children feel about dental care for life.

Behind the fun is some of the most advanced technology available in pediatric dentistry. We use the SOLEA laser, allowing us to treat teeth without shots or drills in many cases, and to release tongue and lip ties gently and efficiently. Our latest-generation digital X-rays are customized for each child to limit radiation exposure. We also offer innovative treatments like Curodont, which helps remineralize early cavities, and SDF (silver diamine fluoride) to slow or even stop decay. All of our restorations are mercury-free, with BPA-free filling options available.

We look beyond teeth, too. Every child is screened for tongue and lip ties, airway concerns, and issues like blocked tonsils, because oral health is closely connected to overall health and development.

For children with significant anxiety—or for larger treatment needs—we offer sedation dentistry to help them get the care they need comfortably. Once treatment is complete, we focus on building trust and confidence, helping break the fear cycle and create a healthier relationship with dental visits moving forward.

Parents often tell us they appreciate our friendly, laid-back vibe. We take the time to explain what’s happening in your child’s mouth, answer your questions, and partner with you so you can make the best decisions for your family.

We’re proud to be locally owned, deeply rooted in this community, and honored to care for generations of families. We can’t wait to meet you—and help your child grow up with a healthy, happy smile.