As pediatric dentists, we believe that good oral health in children goes hand in hand with their overall health and well-being. Lack of preventative dental care leads to dental disease and is a major factor in children having future oral health issues. Stepping Stones Pediatric Dentistry strongly recommends that a childs first dental visit begin at age one to establish a dental home. This aligns with the recommendations from the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics), the ADA (American Dental Association), and the AAPD (American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry).
Not only will children benefit from important dental cleanings and exams, but it will allow our team to educate parents and give them the tools they need to maintain optimal dental health in their child. Regular, consistent visits to the dental office will help your child develop a positive, trusting relationship with the dental team, and will hopefully minimize the need for extensive dental care in the future.
At Stepping Stones Pediatric Dentistry, we understand the importance of having a dental practice that provides you with exceptional care. Our staff is committed to serving each and every patient with attentive care and impeccable dental work. As one of our patients, you deserve nothing less.
At Stepping Stones Pediatric Dentistry, we are committed to ensuring your oral health is in excellent condition. We make this possible by attending to all dental issues, existing and potential, during your visit.
Dr. Avula grew up in the Central Valley of California and currently lives in the Bay Area with her husband and their two young children. Dr. Avula knew from high school that she wanted to be a dentist. She completed both undergraduate and dental school through an accelerated honors program at The University of the Pacific in just five years. She received her DDS degree from Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in 2001. She then completed her specialty training program in Pediatric Dentistry at St. Barnabas Hospital in New York in 2004. Dr. Avula has since been in private practice and is a part-time faculty member in the department of Pediatric Dentistry at the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. Although Dr. Avula was initially drawn to dentistry for its ability to help people, she most appreciates the joys of working with children and the uniqueness of each day.
Dr. Gopal received her undergraduate degree in Dental Surgery in 1992. She then came over to the United states and received her graduate degree in Oral Biology and did her residency in Pediatric Dentistry from UCSF (University of California, San Francisco) in 1999. While at UCSF she received the Eric B. Bystrom DDS Memorial Pediatric Dentistry Award for excellence in treatment of special need patients. Upon graduating from UCSF she was the proprietor of Serramonte Dental practice in Daly City until 2004 when she returned back to India to start her own private practice in Bangalore, India.
While in Bangalore she started her own practice Bright Smiles Pediatric Dentistry to provide specialized pediatric dental care for children. She also chaired and initiated dental work shops and camps for the under privileged children at multiple schools and was public speaker at many villages and small cities promoting the concept and awareness of preventive dentistry to the low income families and children.
In 2014 Dr. Gopal moved back to the Bay Area to provide specialized dentistry for children at Childrens Hospital Oakland, and Gentle Dental in San Jose. She is affiliated with the American Dental Association, the American Association of Pediatric Dentists, and the California Society of Pediatric Dentistry.
Outside of work, Dr. Gopal enjoys classical Indian dancing, classical violin, and cooking. She trained in Indian classical Bharathanatyam dancing from the age of five and has won many awards for her performances world-wide. She now offers Bharathanatyam dance classes for children at her home during her free time in addition to spending time with her husband, daughter, son, and Chester, her Labrador Retriever.
Reviews
Rating 4.5 out of 5 based on 26 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestDavid Carpenter
2 years ago
The people at Bay Area Kids Dentist are terrific. I highly recommend them to anyone who's looking to get their kids into to see the dentist.
Dankesh Shah
3 years ago
Good experience with my both kids. Work done nicely with kids. Affordable with nice and clean facility. Will highly recommend.
Dankesh Shah
4 years ago
Good experience with my both kids. Work done nicely with kids. Affordable with nice and clean facility. Will highly recommend.
Manish K Varshney
4 years ago
I took my 5 yr. old to Dr. Morris on recommendation from a colleague. The clinic is very clean and well maintained. It is great setting for Kids. The staff is very courteous and helpful. Dr. Morris is very good. Not only he is very skilled in his treatment, he also made sure we understood everything. He made my son so comfortable that my son is not hesitant to visit the clinic at all.
Manish K Varshney
4 years ago
I took my 5 yr. old to Dr. Morris on recommendation from a colleague. The clinic is very clean and well maintained. It is great setting for Kids. The staff is very courteous and helpful. Dr. Morris is very good. Not only he is very skilled in his treatment, he also made sure we understood everything. He made my son so comfortable that my son is not hesitant to visit the clinic at all.
Mary Aguiar
5 years ago
Dr Morris and his staff are a wonderful group of professionals. They are always patient and polite. Dr Morris definitely makes his patients feel comfortable and safe. My Daughter ended up @ Young Smiles by referral after a dramatic situation. Both my Daughter and I were traumatized after I let a dentist work on her cavity without any gas. BAD IDEA!!! Dr Morris is a true expert and I highly recommend him for little children / or kids with special needs.
Steven Wang
5 years ago
Amazing and Smooth experience as usual.
Mary Aguiar
6 years ago
Dr Morris and his staff are a wonderful group of professionals. They are always patient and polite. Dr Morris definitely makes his patients feel comfortable and safe. My Daughter ended up @ Young Smiles by referral after a dramatic situation. Both my Daughter and I were traumatized after I let a dentist work on her cavity without any gas. BAD IDEA!!! Dr Morris is a true expert and I highly recommend him for little children / or kids with special needs.
Steven Wang
6 years ago
Amazing and Smooth experience as usual.
Divya P
6 years ago
Kids love the place, have a nice play structure. Staff follow up with scheduling appointments diligently. Dentists and staff are great!
Jennifer Kouns
6 years ago
I brought my autistic son here for his first dentist appointment. I didn't know what to expect and I was very nervous. The staff not only did wonderful with James, they knew I was worried and kept assuring me he would be fine. I stayed with my son the entire time (with the exception of x-rays) and the dentist and the entire staff did a wonderful job. I recommend this place for anyone with a child, especially if they are special needs. The dentists and the entire staff are amazing!
Reema Khera
6 years ago
The dentist is our favorite as it's friendly neat and clean with plenty of parking.
Jennifer Kouns
7 years ago
I brought my autistic son here for his first dentist appointment. I didn't know what to expect and I was very nervous. The staff not only did wonderful with James, they knew I was worried and kept assuring me he would be fine. I stayed with my son the entire time (with the exception of x-rays) and the dentist and the entire staff did a wonderful job. I recommend this place for anyone with a child, especially if they are special needs. The dentists and the entire staff are amazing!
Reema Khera
7 years ago
The dentist is our favorite as it's friendly neat and clean with plenty of parking.
Divya P
7 years ago
Kids love the place, have a nice play structure. Staff follow up with scheduling appointments diligently. Dentists and staff are great!
Alora Lindt
7 years ago
The dentist are great but receptionist turnover is extremely high and it is a chore to make appointments. I should've been called for a follow up on my child's temporary filling.
Caren Freeman
7 years ago
We have been going to Dr. Morris for 12 years. The office is always fun and clean. Dr. Morris is very knowledgeable and takes the time to explain the treatment for each child and the reasons behind it. He puts my kids at ease during their treatment and I'd highly recommend him to anyone who has a child that is afraid of going to the dentist. They just got a new office manager and she was very helpful in getting our treatment appointments setup for the very near future.
Milan Chavarkar
8 years ago
Wonderful pediatric dentistry practice! Our children have been seeing Dr. Morris for almost 10 years. He is great with children and so is his staff. He has always given us practical advice and is an expert in handling dental procedures for children. We are so grateful to him for caring for our children!
Alora Lindt
8 years ago
The dentist are great but receptionist turnover is extremely high and it is a chore to make appointments. I should've been called for a follow up on my child's temporary filling.
Caren Freeman
8 years ago
We have been going to Dr. Morris for 12 years. The office is always fun and clean. Dr. Morris is very knowledgeable and takes the time to explain the treatment for each child and the reasons behind it. He puts my kids at ease during their treatment and I'd highly recommend him to anyone who has a child that is afraid of going to the dentist. They just got a new office manager and she was very helpful in getting our treatment appointments setup for the very near future.
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