Dr. Stephen O'Donnell
USC. Miller Children's. CHLA. CHOC. He's seen a lot — which means he's ready for anything your kid might bring to the chair.
He turned dental anxiety into his specialty. On purpose.
Dr. Stephen O'Donnell grew up in Granite Bay, Sacramento. He studied biological sciences at UC Irvine — graduating with research honors — then earned his master's in global medicine at the Keck School of Medicine at USC. He stayed at USC for both dental school and his pediatric residency, spending the bulk of his hospital training at Miller Children's Hospital in Long Beach, where he worked on multi-disciplinary cases for children with various medical conditions, including hematology-oncology and craniofacial teams.
His training also included stints at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Children's Hospital of Orange County, and LAC Medical Center. He has an extensive volunteer history throughout central and southern California and Baja California, Mexico. He joined Coastal Kids in 2023 and has become known for taking kids who were frightened of dentists and turning them into patients who genuinely look forward to their visits.
He has a particular passion for airway dentistry — the intersection of oral health, breathing, and development in children. He also takes continuing education courses through the American Laser Study Club and stays current on how oral health impacts the upper airway and how children breathe. For him, dental care and whole-body health are inseparable.
Nothing brings him more joy than a child who had a terrible experience somewhere else and finds their new dental home here. He loves hearing about first t-ball games, first Girl Scout cookie sales, and the small wins that make up a childhood. He cheers for all of it.
Four hospitals. One very clear mission.
- ✓ ABPD Diplomate
- ✓ AAPD Member
- ✓ CSPD Member
- ✓ San Diego County Dental Society
- ✓ American Laser Study Club
He sees the anxious ones. They leave as the converted.
"My son has always been terrified of dentists. Dr. O'Donnell was so calm, so patient, and so good at explaining things that my son said it was 'actually not bad.' That is the highest praise he gives."
"Dr. O'Donnell caught something about my daughter's breathing that nobody else had flagged. He explained the connection to her dental development clearly and referred us to the right specialist. He sees the whole picture."
"We've been to a lot of pediatric dentists and Dr. O'Donnell is in a different category. He genuinely listens, he remembers details from visit to visit, and he never makes you feel rushed. Just exceptional."
New patients welcome. No scary waiting rooms. Promise.
Dr. O'Donnell sees patients across all five Coastal Kids locations. Book online in 60 seconds or give us a call.