Board certified. Faculty approved.

Dr. Chris Pham

One of a small group of ABPD Diplomates in San Diego — and the calmest person in any room, which helps a lot with kids.

ABPD Diplomate FAAPD UOP Dugoni Published Author
Faculty & Teaching Attending
Dr. Chris Pham, Board Certified Pediatric Dentist and Clinical Director at Coastal Kids Dentistry & Orthodontics.
Their story

He graduated with honors. Then went back to teach.

Dr. Chris L. Pham graduated with honors from the University of the Pacific Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco — one of the most respected dental programs in the country. He continues to return to UOP as a visiting clinical professor, because apparently earning a dental degree wasn't enough of a commitment to the field.

He's a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry — a distinction held by only a handful of practitioners in San Diego — and is part of the team at Scripps Hospital La Jolla. He chairs the San Diego County Dental Society, serves on its Ethics Committee, and holds adjunct faculty appointments at UCSD, SDSU, Point Loma Nazarene, and UCLA. He is also a published author for his research in children's dentistry.

His calm and patient manner with children makes every visit feel thorough without feeling rushed. He's done dental mission work in Vietnam, Guatemala, Mexico, and other underserved areas — because his commitment to patients extends well past the office walls.

Dr. Chris enjoys the outdoors, loves to ski, and spends his free time with his wife Katherine and their two dogs, Lilly and Winston. They're regulars at San Diego beaches. The dogs are big fans.

The part that makes parents feel good

Faculty-level credentials. Family-level warmth.

Dental school
UOP Dugoni, San Francisco
Doctor of Dental Surgery — Graduated with Honors
Board certified
ABPD Diplomate
Among a small group of Diplomates in San Diego
Fellowship
Fellow, AAPD
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
Hospital affiliation
Scripps Hospital La Jolla
Active member of hospital dental team
Academia
Adjunct Faculty
UCSD, SDSU, PLNU, UCLA + UOP visiting professor
His people
  • AAPD Fellow
  • California Society of Pediatric Dentistry
  • San Diego County Dental Society — Chair
  • Published Researcher, Children's Dentistry
Straight from the parents

Kids who dreaded dentists. Now they look forward to it.

★★★★★

"Dr. Chris is so calm and gentle. My son used to cry at every appointment at his old dentist. Here, he walks in happy. That's everything."

Verified Patient
★★★★★

"We've been coming for years. Dr. Pham remembers details about our kids from visit to visit, explains everything clearly, and never pushes unnecessary treatments. Complete trust."

Verified Patient
★★★★★

"My daughter has severe anxiety and Dr. Chris handled it better than any doctor we've seen. He took his time, never made her feel rushed, and she left smiling. Incredible."

Verified Patient
Your kid will thank you

New patients welcome. No scary waiting rooms. Promise.

Dr. Chris sees patients across all five Coastal Kids locations. Book online in 60 seconds or give us a call.

Faculty & Teaching Attending (858) 755-8282

← Meet the full team

Mother helping young child put toothpaste on toothbrush at bathroom sink with running water.