In 1997, when Dr. Kenneth W. Pierson chose Visalia, CA, as the place for his pediatric sedation dental practice, he started thinking about the best way to blend his services into the community. Instead of competing with local dentists, Hapy Bear became the trusted place where dentists could refer their pediatric patients if sedation would be the best option for the child.
The most significant change with the new facility is that it is an Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC). With The Joint Commission 's Gold Seal of National Quality Approval and the State of Californias Department of Health and Human Services Deemed Status Certification, Hapy Bear can now see more specialized cases and treat children that wouldn 't have any other option for prompt dental care. We are excited to provide greater access to dental care for kids in the Central Valley, says Dr. Pierson. Our goal is to prove to kids that going to the dentist is something they dont need to be afraid of... and well take good care of the parents while theyre here too!'
Some of the other benefits of having more space in the new facility is that there is room for a Play Zone in the waiting area for the kids, along with stroller parking to simplify life for Moms with babies. We have a large TV with cartoons for the kids to watch in the waiting room, and WiFi is free to help stay connected. There are also private waiting rooms so parents can be comfortable once their child is under treatment.
While choosing a name and logo for his practice, a friend drew a little teddy bear that Dr. Pierson chose to make his mascot. He decided to name the bear Hapy and the office would be called Hapy Bear Dentistry. He realized that spelling happy with just one p served several purposes; first, it started conversations that made the name hard to forget. Second, the unusual spelling made it possible to get the phone number (559) 732-HAPY and the toll free phone number (888) 310-HAPY. Third, it was a great marketing tool when people would call to let us know that our name was misspelled on a flier or in the phonebook.
When children see the fun Hapy Bear logo and the whimsical name it helps them feel more welcome and comfortable. The doors opened at Hapy Bear Dentistry in Visalia, CA, in September 1997 and the business grew quickly. In 2009, Dr. Pierson began the planning process for a larger, state-of-the-art facility in Tulare, CA, in order to better serve the communitys needs.
Hapy Bear Surgery Center is proud of our friendly, caring and knowledgeable staff. We have years of experience putting children at ease and helping them feel welcome and comfortable. We strive to provide the highest standard of personalized dental care in the most gentle and efficient way possible for children that can't have treatment done in a regular dental office. We want your child to enjoy a happy, beautiful smile.
Dr. Pierson was born in Minnesota and raised in the Mid West. He moved to California to attend Pacific Union College and then continued into dental school in Southern CA. He graduated from the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in 1971. After 2 years serving in the US Air Force he chose to move his young family to serve as a medical missionary to Blantyre, Malawi, in Africa. Ten years later they moved to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. While doing all types of dentistry in the mission field, Dr. Pierson realized his true passion was pediatric dentistry. In 1990, after 17 years in Africa, and with his 2 sons looking at college in the US, the Pierson family moved to Southern CA and Dr. Pierson joined the faculty at his Alma Mater. While teaching he was offered the opportunity of entering a residency program in Dental Anesthesiology. He realized that this was the perfect way to provide pediatric dental care to kids without having to put them through the stress and trauma so many kids experience. When he graduated from the 2 years residency program, Dr. Pierson moved to the Central Valley and opened Hapy Bear Dentistry in Visalia. As the practice grew and demand increased for dental services under sedation it became clear that Hapy Bear would need to grow to adequately serve the kids in the surrounding area.
In May, 2010, Dr. Pierson opened Hapy Bear Surgery Center in Tulare, CA. The new office not only is much larger than the old office, it is also designed specifically for kids, even incorporating an active Play Zone in the waiting room. I look forward to having kids come to Hapy Bear and leaving with a positive memory of going to the dentist, says Dr. Pierson. If we can make the experience fun and positive for both the child and the parent, while still taking care of any dental work that needs to be done, then weve done what we set out to do.
Dr. Pierson is married to Gloria Pierson, who serves as a Lactation Consultant at Hapy Bear. Their son Ken and his wife are both missionary dentists serving on the island of Saipan in the South Pacific. Their other son, Jeremy, is one of the administrators at Hapy Bear.
Dr. Fred Chun was born in Glendale, CA, and raised in the greater Los Angeles area. He graduated from the University of California Irvine in 2006 with a BS in Biological Science. After marrying his childhood friend, Mina Won, they moved to Philadelphia where he joined the Temple University School of Dentistry. Dr. Chun graduated with his degree in Dental Medicine (DMD) with the class of 2010.
Dr. Ken spent the first 17 years of life in while his parents served as medical missionaries. He earned his Bachelors of Science in Biology form Pacific Union College, and went on to dental school at Loma Linda University. He married Dr. Crystal Edmister, a fellow dentist in 2004. After serving as medical missionaries on the small island of Saipan in the Mariana Islands for 13 years, they moved to Visalia to join the Hapy Bear Team in 2018. Dr. Ken now serves as a full-time dentist and Dental Director at Hapy Bear Surgery Center. Ken and Crystal have four daughters and, while they miss their island home, they are enjoying being closer to family.
Reviews
Rating 4.5 out of 5 based on 129 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestVictoria Gonzalez
a year ago
Very unhappy with this place. So I took my 4 year son in there to get seen. And I they would not see him what got me was they went through everything his weight and hight everything like if they were going to see him. The Dr comes in and check his teeth and said "he has 2 bad teeth in the front Dr said did u breastfeed him " I said yes Dr said will that's why his has 2 bad teeth in the front. So that was rude and then the Dr said my baby was to over weight for them to even help my son. For them to even help my baby he needs to lose some weight pluse they did even help me look for any body else that would help my baby so even now from this day I'm still looking for a dentist .I thought this place was Suppose to help kids
tabby maguire
a year ago
When you book an appointment with someone please see them at that time. Please don't have them come in and have them wait 2 hours with a hungry child, PASSED the scheduled time. Overall great work but waiting game is ridiculous.
anita_gamez91
a year ago
Completely happy with the procedure my daughter recieved! They were so noce and comforting!
Andrea Garcia
a year ago
Hapy Bear was amazing!!! My son felt safe, loved and had a really good experience. Thank you so much we really appreciate you all!!!
Juan Valencia
a year ago
Great staff
Vanessa Garcia Alvarado
a year ago
Kind and friendly staff. My child felt safe and comfortable, she walked into the room for services with confidence. Thank you Hapy Bear!
Esmeralda Torres
2 years ago
We had a great experience at Hapy Bear! Our daughter was well cared for and the staff were friendly and kind. I would definitely recommend Hapy Bear Surgery Center.
Karina Salado
2 years ago
Thank you to everyone at Hapy Bear! They were great with my daughter and explained everything about the procedure to me and then also to her in a kid friendly version. She was so nervous to go but they made everything less scary for her and she did really good!
Angela Bustamante
2 years ago
Love this place they make you feel comfortable for your child, really respectful and everyone there is soo nice
Crystal Wall
2 years ago
Very professional and thorough. Took the time to listen and provide excellent treatment.Thank you Dr Kim, anesthesiologist & team!
Aldona Vansant
2 years ago
They treated us like family. My son had no fear and left giving the rn a hug. Highly recommend them for your children's dental needs.
Joaquin Genel
2 years ago
Very fast n friendly
R H
2 years ago
Dentist did an amazing job on my sons teeth
Patricia Tinoco
2 years ago
(Translated by Google) My son had his treatment there I loved the treatment they gave us they treated my son the best Thanks to all the staff. (Original) Mi hijo tuvo su tratamiento ahi me encanto el trato que nos dieron trataron a mi hijo de lo mejor Gracias a todo el personal.
Anabel Perez
2 years ago
(Translated by Google) A place where both patients and parents are treated with respect and professionalism. (Original) Un lugar donde tratan con respeto y profesionalismo tanto a los pacientes como a los padres.
Ladybug Gracia
2 years ago
Everyone is so nice they keep you updated and put you in a room with a TV I love it I definitely recommend it.
Amber Calidonna
2 years ago
i really don't want to bring my child here. my child does not need any kind of special accommodations and is 7. i've got plenty of work done at her age with no issue. she only needs fillings. she does not need to be put to sleep for something so simple. i find this very unnecessary. i'd rather her usual dentist do it. so many requirements. why does she need a SURGERY for a filling if nothing is wrong with her for her to need accommodations? it's extremely unnecessary and very far from where i live. really not ok with them not having other options besides put your kid to sleep. nope, not ok! not happy that out dentist sent her here at all!!
Nelly Bueso
2 years ago
They did an amazing job and made the whole experience so easy. Everything was explained thoroughly and they updated you through the process once the child is put under. My son just needed fillings but they still made me feel at ease. Everybody was so nice there as well. I highly recommend
Kat Dbr
2 years ago
This place is amazing! The staff is great at letting you know everything...EVERYTHING. Every line is explained for your child's treatment. Explaining all the costs and ways to pay and buffer zones, not minimum zones. So no price tag shock! Any questions you asked they could answer it. The dentists and their assistants were amazing. Each part of the team came in and got to know my child. Explained everything of the procedure. Genuinely cared for the child's best interest and put parents at ease during their surgery with updates of what they find. Talked to my child like person instead of just the parent. Letting my child have a voice. Gave helpful advice to me to care for my child's dental health instead of berating me of a form of bad parenting. The dentist himself came in and explained what and why they chose to do for my child's teeth. He also gave advice on how to change or improve dental health habits. We are all learning and simple changes can make a big difference in the long run. The parent waiting room was very nice, large, and private. Having a streaming service so you could watch what YOU wanted instead of the same health program over and over. This place I cannot praise enough.
pinky2cookie
2 years ago
My daughter is terrified of needles, she was referred to happy bear and since day one she felt comfortable they make sure they included her in the visits, I was more anxious than she was, she is 100% comfortable to go back again, highly recommend happy bear
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