Children's Dental Health Clinic

Children's Dental Health Clinic As a non-profit pediatric dental clinic, we help families from greater Long Beach and southern LA County, while also providing hands-on training for multiple dental specialties... changing the world - one smile at a time - since 1932!

The Children’s Dental Health Clinic (CDHC) is a non-profit pediatric dental clinic providing specialized oral health care services, support and training from the main clinic in Long Beach and satellite clinic on Catalina Island. As the safety-net oral health care provider for low-income children and young adults ages 0-21 from Greater Long Beach and South Los Angeles County, we're proud of our nea

rly 100-year history of providing local families with the comprehensive, compassionate and quality dental care everyone deserves!

We also support the unique needs of children who are disabled or medically-compromised, and we are an accredited training facility for multiple dental specialties. We provide hands-on experience in partnership with MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center, USC’s Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, Cerritos College and West Coast University. Our Mission is to deliver oral health education and comprehensive treatment for economically disadvantaged children, including those with complex medical considerations, while also providing premier training in pediatric and multi-specialty dentistry.

Please join us in welcoming Alisella (Ali) Hernandez - our college intern this summer! 👋 Born and raised in LA, Ali atte...
06/17/2026

Please join us in welcoming Alisella (Ali) Hernandez - our college intern this summer! 👋 Born and raised in LA, Ali attended high school at Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy on the LA Harbor College campus, earning her AA degree as part of their dual-enrollment program. She is now a pre-dental student at Middlebury College in Vermont, where she is double majoring in Molecular Biology/Biochemistry and Psychology.

Ali wants to be a pediatric dentist, and she had an amazing role model.. growing up, she received incredible care from our friend and longtime supporter, Dr. Santos Cortez, and that experience inspired her career journey. 🦷 She was also lucky enough to spend last summer as an intern in his practice, Pediatric Dental Specialists- Long Beach!

This summer, she is gaining valuable experience in public health as she researches oral health data and develops oral health-related communications. She is also getting exposure to a multitude of specialties as she shadows our clinical team. 👩‍🔬 These experiences will serve her well when she returns to school for her junior year this fall. She will be conducting research on what causes cavities and gum disease at the bacterial and molecular level!

A first-generation college student working toward becoming the first doctor in her family, she hopes to one day give back to families from under-resourced communities, and her passion for it already shows. We are proud to support her on this journey as she prepares for a future in pediatric dentistry! 🙌



06/16/2026

We have no shortage of cute smiles around here at CDHC! 😆💖




Families are constantly referred to us for our Multi-Specialty and Early Intervention programs, whether it’s by a dentis...
06/12/2026

Families are constantly referred to us for our Multi-Specialty and Early Intervention programs, whether it’s by a dentist who *doesn’t* serve the Medi-Cal population or a clinic that *doesn’t* specialize in helping children with disabilities or medical complexities.

We are proud to be a beacon of hope for these families - providing both treatment and oral health education - but being one of very few options also comes with challenges.

Visit cdhc.org/ohmonth to learn about what we’re doing to help more families, what other challenges we’re facing AND how you can help us continue to provide care to the families who need us most in honor of Oral Health Month! 💛



The clinic was filled with excitement today thanks to the FIFA World Cup.. half of our team sported jerseys and some of ...
06/12/2026

The clinic was filled with excitement today thanks to the FIFA World Cup.. half of our team sported jerseys and some of our patients did too! ⚽️



After we finished laughing, this reminded us of one of the in our L.A. Parent Inclusive Spotlight.. brush as a family!...
06/10/2026

After we finished laughing, this reminded us of one of the in our L.A. Parent Inclusive Spotlight.. brush as a family! 🪥

🔗 Feature & Tips: cdhc.org/laparentspotlight

📲 Image reposted from Upworthy



06/08/2026

So grateful to the California Dental Association (CDA) and all those advocating for our patients and families, including our own Dr. Mackenzie!

We love any chance we get to see the ladies of the Children's Benefit League throughout the year. 🤗 Typically, it’s at o...
06/06/2026

We love any chance we get to see the ladies of the Children's Benefit League throughout the year. 🤗 Typically, it’s at one of the many fundraisers they host, but the end-of-year meeting is always the most special.

This is when we get to applaud them for their hard-work and dedication throughout the year, raising funds to support the Long Beach children who need it most. 👏 We’re so grateful to be one of the five clinics who benefit.. their continued support makes such a difference for the children and families we serve!

A special shout-out to Judy Cornwall - pictured here with Dr. Mackenzie - who has served as Philanthropy Chair for 20 years! 💙 See our stories for a short video of Judy at the end-of-year meeting to hear more about this wonderful group’s efforts over the past 79 years!



It’s ‘I Love My Dentist’ Day and Oral Health Month, so what better excuse for another Resident Spotlight?! 🌟 Keep readin...
06/03/2026

It’s ‘I Love My Dentist’ Day and Oral Health Month, so what better excuse for another Resident Spotlight?! 🌟 Keep reading to learn more about USC Pediatric Dental Resident, Dr. Kaitie Savage.. and also, EVERY day is I Love My Dentist Day at CDHC! 🥰

🦷 What inspired you to go into pediatric dentistry?

I have been passionate about pediatric dentistry from an early age. Growing up, going to the dentist was always exciting and fun for me. The office felt welcoming, and the staff quickly became familiar faces who made me feel comfortable and cared for. That sense of belonging played a major role in inspiring me to become a pediatric dentist. I hope to create that same positive environment for my own patients so they can grow up with happy dental experiences as well. I especially enjoy working with children with special needs and find it incredibly rewarding to build meaningful connections with them.

🦷 Tell us a favorite memory you have from working at the clinic.

One of my favorite memories from working at the clinic involved a young patient who experienced significant dental trauma after falling and hitting his face on concrete. Several of his front teeth were severely damaged, and one tooth had even been knocked out. After multiple procedures, the family was so relieved and grateful for the outcome. They had been deeply worried that his smile would be permanently affected. Seeing their happiness and knowing I was able to make a positive difference during such a stressful time was incredibly meaningful to me.

Read more of our Q&A with Dr. Kaitie - including who brings so much joy and energy to her life 😻 - at cdhc.org/residentspotlight-drkaitie!



Is it pure coincidence that Oral Health Month takes place during the summer? Maybe.. maybe not. 😎 Either way, we’re look...
06/01/2026

Is it pure coincidence that Oral Health Month takes place during the summer? Maybe.. maybe not. 😎 Either way, we’re looking forward to celebrating all the ways to create bright and healthy smiles all month long! 🪥😄🦷



Another opportunity for learning, sharing and creating valuable connections has come and gone as we look back at last we...
05/29/2026

Another opportunity for learning, sharing and creating valuable connections has come and gone as we look back at last week’s American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Annual Conference in fabulous Las Vegas! ✨ Bright lights and big smiles, indeed. 😄 Thanks, AAPD!

[Photos courtesy of Dr. Blake, Dr. Maile and USC’s Pediatric Dental Residency Program]



Address

455 E Columbia Street Ste 32
Long Beach, CA
90806

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 4pm
Tuesday 7am - 4pm
Wednesday 7am - 4pm
Thursday 7am - 4pm
Friday 7am - 4pm

Telephone

562-933-3141

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Children's Dental Health Clinic posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Children's Dental Health Clinic:

Shortcuts

Share

Category