New Location Aims to Improve Access to Dental Care for Medi-Cal and Military Families.
OCEANSIDE, Calif. — Families in Oceanside and the greater San Diego area now have a new option for pediatric dental care with the opening of a Children’s Choice Dental Care office. The new facility is dedicated to serving Medi-Cal eligible children, Tri-Care military families, and other local residents in need of quality dental services.
This new clinic arrives at a crucial time. Access to dental care remains a challenge for many children in San Diego County—especially those covered by Medi-Cal. According to the California Third Grade Smile Survey, about 20% of third graders in the region suffer from untreated tooth decay. This condition, while preventable, can lead to serious issues including pain, infections, missed school days, and long-term health complications.
Even more concerning, only 30% of surveyed children had received dental sealants. These are simple protective coatings that can prevent cavities and are especially important for young children. These findings show the need for more accessible and preventive dental care services across the county.
Children’s Choice Dental Care hopes to close this gap. By focusing on underserved communities, the new Oceanside office aims to make dental care easier to access for families who need it most.
“Every child deserves a healthy, confident smile,” said Dr. Jeff Jacobson, Chief Medical Officer at Children’s Choice Dental Care. “Oral health plays a big role in a child’s overall well-being. We want to create a friendly and supportive space where families can get the care they need without barriers.”
The Oceanside location is set to officially celebrate its opening with a grand event on Thursday, April 11, from 1 to 4 p.m.
The celebration will bring together local leaders, health professionals, and families from the community. Guests will be invited to tour the new office, meet the dental care team, and explore the services available.
To make the event more fun and inclusive, the clinic is also organizing a Children’s Choice Art Contest. Local children are encouraged to submit their artwork, and the winning piece will be displayed permanently in the clinic. The contest aims to inspire creativity and help children feel a sense of connection to the new facility.
“This office is more than just a dental clinic,” added Dr. Jacobson. “It’s a community space. We want children and families to feel welcomed, supported, and motivated to take charge of their health.”
Children’s Choice Dental Care has a strong track record of serving underserved populations. Their clinics focus on making high-quality pediatric dental care available to families regardless of income, background, or insurance status. By partnering with public health programs like Medi-Cal and Tri-Care, they reduce the barriers many families face when trying to access dental services.
The Oceanside clinic continues this mission, bringing essential services like cleanings, exams, fluoride treatments, and restorative procedures to a community with demonstrated need. Pediatric dental experts at the new location will also emphasize preventive education, helping children and parents build lifelong healthy habits.
The clinic’s approach is child-focused. From the moment families walk through the door, the goal is to create a calm, engaging, and stress-free environment. Staff are specially trained to work with young patients and help them feel comfortable with dental visits.
“This is about more than fixing teeth—it’s about building trust and promoting health,” Dr. Jacobson explained. “We want kids to grow up unafraid of the dentist and empowered to care for their smiles.”
The location of the new office was carefully selected. Oceanside has a large population of military families and Medi-Cal eligible households. By establishing a presence in this area, Children’s Choice Dental Care hopes to make a direct impact on local health outcomes.
