As a pediatric dentist, my passion is ensuring that all my patients have positive, supportive experiences at my office. I want each to feel secure in the dental environment and take that confidence into adulthood.
That passion is shared by my team. They are committed to ensuring that all patients and families are welcomed warmly and receive the very best dental care in a fun and positive environment. In addition to being skilled professionals, my team members truly like interacting with children and parents, creating an atmosphere of trust and care.
For my team and I, it is particularly gratifying when a patient comes in initially fearful of receiving any type of dental work and leaves happy, with a big smile and telling us they cant wait to come back!
Growing up in La Habra, in Orange County, I decided to pursuea dental careerand specialize in pediatric dentistrybecause I enjoyed working my hands and wanted to be able to help children be notfearful of dentists.
I attended California State University at Fullerton, where I completed a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry. Next was dental schoolat Washington University at St. Louis, where I obtained my Doctorate of Dental Medicine (DMD).
Returning to Southern California, I completed my speciality trainingin Pediatric Dentistryat the UCLA School of Dentistry andwas appointed chief resident my second year.The postgraduate training consisted of preventitive dentistry, growth and development, restorative dentistry for the child, pulpal therapy, traumatic dental injuries, oral pathology, behavior guidance, sedation, and pediatric medicine. My training also consisted of being invovled withthe Pediatric Craniofacial team at UCLA, followingthepediatric oncolgy patient's dental needs, as well as all pediatricdental needs for the UCLA Medical Center.During my residency in pediatrics, I alsocompleted a graduate traineeshipin Psychiatric Biobehavioral Sciences, in mental health and other developmental disabilities, specializing in dentistry at UCLA as well asmy general anesthesia training at Children's Hospital Los Angeles.Upon graduation I entered private practice andtaught part-time as an associate professorat the UCLA downtown dentalclinic serving the underprivileged childrenof downtown Los Angeles.
It has been a joy to practice dentistry for over 30 years. I now see the children of patients who I saw when my practice was new and feel blessed to be a part of the lives of multi-generational families!
Palm Desert has been my home for almost 30 years. My wife, Beverly, and I have been married for over 25 years and we have three amazing children, two dogs, and a beautiful aquarium full of salt water fish.
In my free time, I enjoy family-oriented activitiesfrom traveling to golfing with my sons and attending their collegiate sporting events. Family, both immediate and extended,is my passionand I spend a lot of time attending family get-togethers.
I am involved with the Scottish Rite Speech and Language Center and at one time had the honor of servingon their Board of Directors. I have alsoserved on theBoard of Directors of theBig Brothers/Big Sisters of the Desert.
We recognize that all of our young patients are unique and deserve to receive dental care that reflects their individual needs. Our experienced and talented dental team is committed to working with you and your child to create a comfortable, stress-free, and rewarding dental experience every time you visit our practice.
Forour team, nothing is more rewarding than growing friendships with those we serve. We love earning parents and childrens trust with quality,individualized dentistryand establishing lifetimes of healthy smiles, one child at a time!
We have served the Coachella Valley since 1996, building a reputation for providing the most professional, ethical, and patient-centered pediatric dentistry in the area. We are now caring for the growing smiles of a second generation of children and love that were reconnecting with our now-adult former patients, too.
By making every visit a pleasant experience, we help children feel at ease in the dental environment. When a little one knows they are safe, they are open to learning and that allows us to teach them how to care for their oral health. Our goal is ensuring each patient carries good dental hygiene habits into adulthood and enjoys lifetimes of oral health and radiant smiles!
As we see only children from infants through pre-teens, teens, and children with special needs we have designed our office to appeal to kids. With books, toys, video games, and Legos in our reception area and a colorful, playful underwater theme throughout the space, theres lots to engage and entertain!
We take time to figure out what a child needs to feel safe. We areoften found chatting about princesses,superheroes and pokemon, attentively listening to a little ones latest adventure, and showing them that we care about what they have to say because we do!
Reviews
Rating 3.9 out of 5 based on 27 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestMegan McFall
a year ago
Dr. Okamoto and his staff are fantastic. We drive well over two and half hours to his office and I would drive even further if I had to. Dr.Okamoto is so patient and kind with my toddler. The office staff are great and so helpful with making appointments. I highly recommend this dentist office for your children!
Carolann Stanek
a year ago
Dr. Okamoto and the care team are amazing. We had gone to three other dentists for cavity care with unsuccessful treatment due to my kiddo's fear and anxiety. Dr. Okamoto displayed a kind, patient, compassionate, and kid-friendly approach that allowed us to get through the treatment successfully. Thank you so much for your exceptional care Dr. Okamoto!
Juan Munoz
2 years ago
The fact that they still make you wear a mask maybe understandable but to make you wait (standing only) outside the reception area way past the appointment time is just horrible. We had to go back in and ask to have them TEXT us whenever we could go in so we went to wait in our car, they never mentioned that they were running late or anything else to make us understand why this was happening, we arrived 8 minutes early doing our part to avoid delays for other patients and finally 17 minute late (Past appointment time) they called us in. Overall 25 minutes waiting without a reason, or a simple apology. We were late for another appointment thanks to this situation. They don't even care about making people wait for that long standing without updates or anything. Simply unprofessional.
Brooke Da Wolfie
2 years ago
very unprofessional and rude
Edith Barragan
2 years ago
Love this place. Very kid friendly.
Jacky Garner
2 years ago
My daughter has a medical issue that has made her miss too much school. I asked if we could have an afternoon appointment to avoid pulling her out and the office staff WOULD NOT accommodate what so ever. I asked if they could ask the doctor and she refused to even ask. Then she spoke over me and said "Have a good day" and hung up. TERRIBLE staff experience.
cristal gonzalez
2 years ago
Absolutely Amazing!!!
Catalina Jimenez
2 years ago
My kids loves this place! The environment is very kid friendly. Definetly recommend
Stacy Vega
2 years ago
The WORST customer service I've ever had!!! I called to make a second cleaning and they said it would be $70 . I have the cleaning done and it was $143 I just paid it because I was in a hurry and wasn't thinking about anything else but rushing out of there. At home I look at the receipt and it's more then double . I had called 3 times to the answering service and no one has called me back. Just now I called the front desk and they falsely accused me of not calling and leaving messages. Stay away from them !! Not even trying to accommodate us any shape or form of their wrong doing .. terrible !! I'm an easy going open minded person that doesn't appreciate being attached verbally !!!
Jennifer Cervantez
2 years ago
My kids hate the dentist but this place has been so good to them. They feel comfortable going here. Staff and doctor are great. Fast, good work & nice.
Stacy Vega
3 years ago
The WORST customer service I've ever had!!! I called to make a second cleaning and they said it would be $70 . I have the cleaning done and it was $143 I just paid it because I was in a hurry and wasn't thinking about anything else but rushing out of there. At home I look at the receipt and it's more then double . I had called 3 times to the answering service and no one has called me back. Just now I called the front desk and they falsely accused me of not calling and leaving messages. Stay away from them !! Not even trying to accommodate us any shape or form of their wrong doing .. terrible !! I'm an easy going open minded person that doesn't appreciate being attached verbally !!!
cristal gonzalez
3 years ago
Absolutely Amazing!!!
Catalina Jimenez
3 years ago
My kids loves this place! The environment is very kid friendly. Definetly recommend
Andrea Courreges
3 years ago
All four of my children have gone to Dr. Okamoto for the last 14 years from braces, extractions, cavities, fillings, and xrays... Never have they complained. Friendly staff, great atmosphere, and the best dentist in town, thank you Dr. Okamoto!
Dania Lua
4 years ago
Went with my daughter today to get thooth extraction ,my daughter had a bad experience before and was nervios of the extraction first of all when they were going to num with the gel to put the needle in doctor did not let the gel set and immediately put the needle In and my daughter went thru so much pain. All they would say was the gel works right away but I called a few dentist and they all said u have to let niming tell sit for 3 to 5 min to then do the needle l, then when the extraction was happening my daughter said she felt everything like they were pulling on her gum and ripping it apart witch makes me think that the doctor did not give her the right doce or dis not do his job right !! My daughter still scared and all the way to the house she would be telling me how much it hurted :*never take your kids to this place my daughter had an extraction before and she never cried or felt pain but with this dentist she suffered alot !! Do not take your kids here yes the staff is friendly but that is it !!!
Kaththe Fender
4 years ago
Both my kids were cared for by Dr Gary. He did such a good job preserving and not mutilating their mouths. My son had bad dental carries. Dr. Gary took a cautious conservativeapproach in his treatment
Josh Garrard
4 years ago
Dr. Okamoto is Amazing! I will never take my family anywhere else, such a friendly, clean, and fun environment. Thank you for being here Dr.
Andrea Courreges
4 years ago
All four of my children have gone to Dr. Okamoto for the last 14 years from braces, extractions, cavities, fillings, and xrays... Never have they complained. Friendly staff, great atmosphere, and the best dentist in town, thank you Dr. Okamoto!
Maria Curiel
4 years ago
Greatest staff and dentist
Tyler Havens
4 years ago
Very friendly staff. I highly recommend this Doctor
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