About Us | Kids Dentist in Vista
At Vista Kids Dental, we greet every patient with warmth and care, making them feel like part of our family. Dr. Tuong (David) Ta is a board-certified pediatric dentist specialized in children's oral health and provides gentle, anxiety-free treatments to help children maintain healthy smiles as they grow. Located in Vista, CA, our mission is to deliver compassionate, educational, and fun dental experiences.
We proudly offer:
- Mercury-free, latex-free, and BPA-free materials
- Advanced, minimally invasive procedures such as SDF and SMART
- Modern technology and evidence-based care to Vista and surrounding communities like Carlsbad, Oceanside, San Marcos, Escondido, and Encinitas
About Dr. Ta
Dr. Tuong (David) Ta is a board-certified pediatric dentist who truly believes in the early prevention of dental problems and educating families about life-long healthy teeth. Getting to know the uniqueness of each child, building a trusting relationship, understanding each family's individual needs and making balloon animals are how he delivers gentle dentistry and creates positive dental experiences.
Dr. Ta graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a Bachelor of Sciences in Biology and Engineering. Dr. Ta also has a Master in Public Health from Yale University. Following his dream to become a pediatric dentist, Dr. Ta obtained his Doctor in Dental Surgery degree from the University of Washington and certificate in pediatric dentistry at the University of Rochester, Eastman Institute of Oral Health.
Dr. Ta and his wife, Mymy, reside in Carlsbad with their three active children, Adrianna, Andrew and Colin. When he is not in the office, he is pretty much an Uber driver for his kids to their volleyball, football, and basketball practices and games. He is also their biggest cheerleader at all of their games and tournaments.
Training & Affiliations
- Board Certified in Pediatric Dentistry — American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
- Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry — University of Rochester, Eastman Institute of Oral Health
- Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) — University of Washington
- Master in Public Health — Yale University
- Bachelors of Sciences in Biology and Engineering — UCLA
- Member — American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD)
- Member — American Dental Association (ADA) & state/local dental societies
Why Pediatric Dentists?
Most families with children rely on a pediatrician to be responsible for the health of their kids, and the same approach should be taken with dentistry. Pediatric dentists specialize in the oral healthcare of children and patients with special needs. Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about pediatric dentists:
What Does a Pediatric Dentist Do?
A pediatric dentist is a dentist that after graduating from dental school completes an additional 2-3 years of education focused solely on the oral health of children and those with special needs. This additional schooling encompasses topics such as oral trauma, dental emergencies, sedation and general anesthesia, as well as managing cases with extensive dental needs. Furthermore, pediatric dentists train in the behavior management of pediatric patients, a critical skill needed to lower dental anxiety and, consequently, lower the chance of any long-term “dental trauma”.
Pediatric dentists are professionals who have completed a specialized course of dentistry that caters to children who have special needs or otherwise need gentler care. The program consists of two to three years of further training after graduation from dental school. It includes hospital training, where they work with children who have more severe dental needs and emergencies, and training in numerous orthodontic teeth-straightening methods. Pediatric dentists work closely with pediatricians and general dentists, who refer select patients for this specialized dental treatment that requires this advanced training. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) is an organization of pediatric dentists, and its website has a good selection of brochures explaining their role in dentistry.