Kids Dentist Near Ontario, CA — From the First Tooth to the Kindergarten Dental Form
Most Ontario families find us at one of three moments: a baby's first tooth comes in and someone says "you're supposed to see a dentist now"; the school sends home California's kindergarten oral health assessment form; or a child on Medi-Cal needs a filling and the office they called doesn't take it. This page is organized around those three moments, because that's how the question actually arrives.
Kids Dental Castle & Orthodontics is a children's dental office in Pomona, about ten minutes west of Ontario on the 10 or Holt. Dr. Nima Javan treats infants, children, teens, and patients with special healthcare needs — nothing else. We accept Medi-Cal Dental, IEHP, and PPO plans, we're open Saturdays 8–2, and uninsured children get a free exam and X-rays. Se habla español.
Moment One: The First Tooth (Age 1)
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry's guidance is a first dental visit when the first tooth appears or by the first birthday, whichever comes first. Ontario parents sometimes hear "wait until they're three" from well-meaning relatives; the reason not to wait is that early childhood cavities can start as soon as teeth touch juice, milk at bedtime, or sweetened drinks, and by three the damage is often already done.
Here's what a first visit actually looks like, so nobody is surprised:
• The lap exam. You sit knee-to-knee with Dr. Javan, your baby lies back on your lap, and the exam takes about two minutes. Nobody is strapped into anything.
• A quick look, a quick count, fluoride varnish. Varnish is painted on in seconds and needs no rinsing.
• The talk is the main event. Bottle and sippy-cup habits, how to brush a toddler who bites the brush, when to stop the pacifier, what "no juice in the bottle" really means at 6 a.m. Most of the appointment is a conversation with a parent.
• X-rays: usually not yet. Infants and most toddlers don't need them. When we do take X-rays later, they're digital and low-dose.
After that, every six months. That rhythm — exam, cleaning, fluoride, twice a year — is what prevents 90% of what we'd otherwise end up filling.
Moment Two: The Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment
California law (AB 1433) requires every child entering public school for the first time — kindergarten, or first grade if they skipped kindergarten — to have an oral health assessment by a licensed dentist, due by May 31 of that first school year. Ontario-Montclair School District, Mountain View School District (Ontario Ranch), and Chino Valley Unified schools all send the form home.
We complete it at a regular exam visit, at no extra charge, and hand it back the same day. If your child has never seen a dentist, this is a good first visit; if they're overdue, it's a good excuse. Many Ontario families schedule the whole household's checkups on the same Saturday morning and get every form done at once.
Moment Three: Medi-Cal Dental, IEHP, and "We Don't Take That"
Ontario has one of the higher Medi-Cal enrollment rates in the Inland Empire, and families tell us the same story: they called two or three pediatric offices in Ontario, and each one said no to Medi-Cal, or "we take it for cleanings but not treatment," or put them on a waitlist. Most Ontario children's dental websites don't mention Medi-Cal at all.
We accept Medi-Cal Dental and IEHP for children's dentistry, and there's no separate line for it. For children under 21, Medi-Cal Dental covers exams and cleanings every six months, X-rays, fluoride varnish, sealants, fillings, crowns, and emergency visits. If your child needs sedation or general anesthesia for treatment, we'll tell you what's covered and what isn't before anything is scheduled, in writing. Same dentist, same rooms, same appointment times as every other patient.
PPO plans: we're in-network with most and verify benefits before your visit.
No insurance: your child's exam and X-rays are free. You'll get a written price for any treatment before we do it. CareCredit is accepted for larger treatment plans, and paying in full in cash earns 5% off.
➤ Ask About Insurance & Pricing
Cavities, Fillings, and Crowns — Without Drama
When a filling is needed, the difference between a good and bad experience for a five-year-old is almost entirely about pacing and language. Dr. Javan uses "sleepy juice," "tooth pillow," and "Mr. Whistle" rather than needle, dam, and drill; shows each instrument before it's used; and stops when a child asks. Small fillings on baby teeth are tooth-colored. Larger cavities on baby molars usually get a crown, because a big filling in a baby molar tends to break, and that molar may need to last until age 12.
For a child who can't sit through it — too young, too scared, too much work needed — the answer is not to push harder. It's nitrous oxide for a nervous kid, or IV sedation / general anesthesia for extensive work. Our sedations are administered by board-certified dental anesthesiologists on our own staff — Dr. Charles Lee, Dr. Albert Kang, Dr. Ji Yoon Choi, and Dr. Andrew Elmasri — which is unusual; most children's offices in the Ontario area either don't offer general anesthesia or bring in an outside provider a few days a month. Ours are here, so a child who needs everything done in one sleep visit is usually scheduled within a couple of weeks, not a couple of months.
Special Needs Dentistry
Dr. Javan's training and daily practice include patients with special healthcare needs — autism, sensory processing differences, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and medically complex kids. Practically, that means a first "meet the office" visit with no treatment if that helps, longer appointment slots, a parent in the room, the same staff each time, and sedation options when cooperation isn't realistic. If you've been asked to "come back when they're older" elsewhere, come here instead. Details are on our special needs dentistry page.
Emergencies: Same-Day, Including Saturdays
Chipped front teeth on the playground at Ontario's parks, a knocked-out tooth at a Chaffey or Ontario High game, a toothache that turns into a swollen cheek overnight — call 909-741-7052. Our phone line is answered 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week, and same-day emergency appointments are held open Monday through Saturday. For a knocked-out permanent tooth: hold it by the crown, rinse gently, put it back in the socket or in milk, and come in within the hour. A knocked-out baby tooth is not re-implanted; still call, so we can check the tooth underneath it.
Braces and Wisdom Teeth Under the Same Roof
As Ontario kids get older, the questions change: "does she need braces?" around age 7, and "when do his wisdom teeth come out?" in the mid-teens. We have a board-certified orthodontist and a board-certified oral surgeon in this building, so those aren't referrals to a stranger across town. Our Ontario orthodontics and Ontario oral surgery pages cover pricing and payment plans for each.
Meet Dr. Nima Javan
Dr. Javan received his doctorate from the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health. At Kids Dental Castle & Orthodontics he provides preventive, restorative, emergency, and comprehensive dental care for infants, children, teens, and patients with special healthcare needs. He is supported by four board-certified dental anesthesiologists, a board-certified orthodontist, and a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon — all on staff at this one office. Bios are on our Meet the Doctors page.
When should my baby first see a dentist?
When the first tooth appears or by the first birthday. The first visit is a two-minute lap exam plus a conversation about bottles, brushing, and habits.
Do you take Medi-Cal for children in Ontario?
Yes. We accept Medi-Cal Dental and IEHP for children's dentistry — exams, cleanings, X-rays, fluoride, sealants, fillings, crowns, and emergencies.
My child has no insurance. What does a visit cost?
The exam and X-rays are free for uninsured children. Any treatment gets a written price before we start.
Can you fill out the kindergarten oral health assessment form?
Yes, at a regular exam, at no extra charge, and you'll take it home the same day. It's due to the school by May 31 of the first school year.
Are you open Saturdays?
Yes, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Weekday hours are 9 to 6.
My child is terrified of the dentist. What are the options?
A no-treatment "meet the office" visit first, then nitrous oxide for mild anxiety, or IV sedation / general anesthesia with one of our board-certified dental anesthesiologists for extensive work.
Is laughing gas safe for kids?
Yes. Nitrous oxide is the mildest form of sedation used in dentistry. Your child stays awake and breathes on their own, it wears off within minutes of the mask coming off, and they can go back to school the same day. We monitor them throughout.
Do you see children with autism or other special needs?
Yes, every day. Longer appointments, a parent in the room, consistent staff, and sedation when needed.
What if my child knocks out a tooth?
Permanent tooth: hold it by the crown, keep it moist (back in the socket or in milk), and call us — we'll see you the same day. Baby tooth: don't re-insert; call so we can check.
How often should kids go to the dentist?
Every six months for most children, starting by the first birthday. Children who get cavities often may need visits every three to four months. Medi-Cal Dental covers routine children's exams and cleanings every six months.
When do kids start losing baby teeth?
Usually around age 6, starting with the lower front teeth, and continuing until about 12. Losing teeth well before 5 or well after 7 is worth a check, and a baby tooth lost early to decay may need a space maintainer so the permanent tooth has room.
¿Hablan español?
Sí. Se habla español en toda la oficina, y aceptamos Medi-Cal Dental e IEHP para niños.
Para Familias de Ontario
Se habla español en nuestra oficina: en la recepción, con el dentista, y en la sala de tratamiento. Aceptamos Medi-Cal Dental e IEHP para niños. Los niños sin seguro reciben un examen y radiografías gratis. Abrimos los sábados de 8 a 2. Llame al 909-741-7052 — atendemos llamadas de 6 de la mañana a 9 de la noche, los siete días de la semana.
Where We Are
Kids Dental Castle & Orthodontics
1532 San Bernardino Ave #A1
Pomona, CA 91767
909-741-7052
Monday–Friday 9–6 · Saturday 8–2
From Ontario: the 10 west to Pomona, or Holt Boulevard west through Montclair (it becomes Holt Avenue in Pomona). From Ontario Ranch, take Euclid or Archibald north to the 10. About 10–15 minutes from most of Ontario, including Ontario Mills and the airport area. We also see children from Montclair, Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, and Chino.
