Natalie Vanderkam, DDS

I was referred to this place by a friend. I came in with concerns already knowing my daughter had cavities. I said I did not want to sedate her or put her to sleep. She seemed ok with all of this for the first visit. We had a check up for two kids and my 3 year old son was scared and she brushed his teeth and put fluoride after although he was screaming and crying. She did not stop or try to calm him, seemed like she just wanted to finish. Then my daughter, she said she would have to put her to sleep and I asked if we could please do it another way and she said «sure you can traumatize her and we can do it while we hold her down» I know she didn’t mean them hold her down but that little chair thing with straps but it seemed very condescending and rude. She might have been frustrated with me because I didn’t just want to say yes to everything. Anyways she took my daughter out of her practice because I would not agree, I then also gladly pulled my son out and now we go to agape dental, were they fixed my daughters cavities with out putting her to sleep or strapping her down. Sure this place is great if your child has no cavities and maybe even for some parents. For me it was not, this is just my personal review. I received very little patience from the dr when it came down to needing help for some one who has cavities, perfect smile then you are good but for kids who are scared and need a little help and tender speaking to, reconsider. It’s worth looking around till you find a dr who can be sensitive to your needs and your child’s needs.

We are in LOVE with Dr. Vanderkam! She is truly amazing when dealing with patients and parents alike. The office is always so bright and cheerful.
She was able to make my anxious, 8 year-​old feel completely at ease with an abstraction. I highly recommend her if you have children who dread seeing the dentist. She has made a fan out of my recently dentally traumatized child — and now we have a pediatric dentist who we adore!

It was my son’s first time at the dentist office. Before our appointment, we were sent a booklet regarding what to say/​not say to your child during their first visit. I didn’t want to freak my son (2.5 years old) out, so I only told him the night before that we were going to the dentist. I explained to him that the dentist was like the doctor’s office, except there would be no shots.
While booking our first appointment, the receptionist told me that we would most likely not get a cleaning or any fluoride since it was his first time (but if things work out, Dr. Natalie would do it).
My son was wow-​ed by the dentist’s office upon walking in. He was intrigued with the aquarium as well as the movie that was being played. When we walked in to get his teeth cleaned, the assistant asked him what movie he liked (Cars) and changed the movie for him. Since my son didn’t want to sit on the assistant’s lap, I had to hand over my daughter to her while my son sat on my lap during his cleaning. Since his favorite movie, Cars, was on, he was fine with Dr. Natalie cleaning and flossing his teeth. He even had his first taste of fluoride! Dr. Natalie was very professional the entire time and explained everything he was doing to him. She was friendly and had a calming demeanor with my son so that he was not scared at all with the foreign objects going in his mouth.
Afterwards, my son was extremely happy to get to choose a toothbrush to take home as well as floss. He picked out a special prize from the toy box and told me that he liked the dentist. He’s extremely good about brushing his teeth now and loves to floss.

I took my 2 ½ year old in because two of her teeth were getting discolored, despite our brushing.
They were able to get me in the next day for a cleaning and consultation with Dr. Vanderkam. I loved it. She was polite and professional with me, and great with my daughter. We were able to make an appointment for a week later to fix the problems. They even called me ahead of time with an estimate from my insurance company.
Dr. Natalie let my daughter sit in my lap while filling a cavity, and was very patient with her. She wiped my daughters tears when she was scared and let us rest as often as we wanted.
It was a great experience and she has found a very loyal patient in us!

If I could give ZERO stars I would! My 19 month old son fell down at a wedding rehearsal and broke his tooth. We called their emergency number and since he wasn’t a patient of theirs she wouldn’t even talk to me. I know she could hear my son screaming because we were driving back to SJ as fast as we could. If she even reads these reviews my son’s tooth was so loose that he could have choked on it if he slept. Luckily, we found a wonderful pediatric dentists who met us at 11pm and basically saved my son. I would NEVER want to meet this lady! Please think twice.

Update 12÷15÷11:
As far as the reviewer named Aimee M.‘s response, leaving a dentist because of her attitude toward a parent is most certainly a very good reason to leave a dentist. You must trust and like your dentist and likewise, the dentist you take your children to. If you do not, there is no point in patronizing that business.
And Vanderkam may not have been snide to YOU, but that was NOT the case with my family and she was certainly not respectful to another parent, me. After all, she let my husband take plenty of photos when he took the kids to her previously, and a «no photo policy» is certainly not the practicing norm. I’ve never heard of this and we’ve always been able to take photos, even at our old pediatric dentist before we moved, so Aimee M. must be making this up. Photo taking has always been allowed at every other dentist’s office we’ve been to. Aimee M. needs to read my review more carefully. Natalie said «you’re welcome to take photos». She did not say «you may not take photos». She just said it in a snide manner as she pushed her chair back.
Like I said, maybe she was having a bad PMS day, but if that’s the case, you control it of you’re in a professional business, and she won’t or can’t. So there’s the problem.
I cannot recommend this dentist for your children at all unless you like a moody, condescending dentist.

After 5 years, I am still very happy with Dr. Vanderkam and her office. She continues to honor my no-​fluoride request and always asks if I have any dental questions or concerns. Her receptionists are always welcoming and friendly. They always call to confirm our appointments. We are always in-​and-​out of there without major delays. It’s a very well-​run office.
As I stated earlier, she has been interested and concerned with my son’s dental and overall health after his bone marrow transplant. He has had a lot of medical trauma but is always comfortable and willing to let Dr. Natalie and her assistants to clean his teeth and poke around his mouth. He has never had an infection after his teeth cleaning even though he has been severely immuno-​suppressed. This speaks volumes to me.
As for the person who complained about not being able to take a photo, I think that is a ridiculous reason to leave a dentist office. Do you not know that doctors in general do not want you taking photos while procedures are being done, etc, because it could be a liability? The no photo policy is practiced in all doctors’ offices. Dr. Natalie is always friendly and happy to see her patients and parents. I have never seen or heard her speak to anyone in a snide tone.

Awful!
My 7-​year-​old son and I visited the office for a cleaning, which was fine, even though there is no private space –it’s a big shared room. I made a point to let Dr. Vanderkam know that my son was very afraid of having dental work done, that he needed a soft, patient approach and minimal invasiveness. Dr. Vanderkam seemed to be receptive to this, so I brought my son in to have one filling done.
What a disaster. Before he and I knew it, he had a nitrous oxide mask on his face, a wedge in his mouth, and an assistant holding him down. Nitrous oxide turned out to have some fruity smell –after I had told Dr. Vanderkam that my son had sensory issues, and specifically with smells.
There was no explaining, no warning, no patience. Dr. Vanderkam made some intimidating remarks to my already terrified son, trying to make him feel guilty. She just wanted to get it done, and had no interest in acknowledging the child’s feelings. She repeatedly asked with phony surprise:“What’s the matter? Is something wrong?” as my son was unable to answer her because his mouth was full of equipment! She showed zero compassion. When the filling was done, my son looked like he had completely lost it. Her comment to the terrified seven year-​old boy (verbatim): «Wow, I did not know you had such a monster inside of you!» My son and I walked out in shock.
I later paid about $ 120 over the insurance fees for the nitrous oxide that did not work (which I would not have minded had my son had a good experience), etc. Long lasting damage was done. My son started having flash-​backs shortly after, which look like PTSD –awful panic attacks at any mention of any medical procedure. Two years later, that tooth needs to be refilled, and this time I will take him to a doctor who does oral sedation and actually cares about the child’s feelings.
My advice — if you are looking for a pediatric dentist with a heart for a sensitive child — protect your child and stay away.

Strong fan of Dr Vander Kam’s wonderfully pleasant chairside manner, though I would advise that one is mindful of their own dental benefits and double check the paperwork. This is a great clinican who would be a 5 star in my books with the right staff to support her hard work! Nonetheless, I will be bringing my trust and children to her office and do so being mindful their faults. Certainly, more accuracy and efficancy would be a great benefit to their patients, even more so I would imagine to their own office. In most cases I would say a Dr. is only as good as their supporting staff, in this I will break my own rule and continue to send my family to her. She personifies what Pedodontists are supposed to be!

Dr. VanderKam is a class act! She is tender, empathetic, professional and well attuned to her patients. She also relates well to parents explaining procedures, options, and patiently answers questions. I have always been well informed of expenses — what was covered by insurance and what was not, as well as relative costs of different options. 4 years ago, my oldest daughter was TERRIFIED of going to the dentist. We switched dentists and came to Dr. VanderKam. She now looks forward to dentist visits! Fast forward to this week. My youngest daughter had her first cavity filled. There was anxiety leading up to the appointment. But the minute she sat in the chair, Dr. VDK guided her through each step of the process in an age appropriate (and entertaining!) manner and had her completely at ease. She has an appointment for another filling and has no anxiety, whatsoever. Thank you Dr. VanderKam!

I come to her office because of others good feedback. The environment is children friendly, assistants and Dr. Vanderkam is nice and friendly.
1. I had my son teeth filling, I was not informed that Oxygen gas and white material filling would not covered by insurance. I talked to her office admin, I was told it was my responsibility to find out whether it was covered by insurance or not. They should know better than I do and to inform me in timely manner. My dentist always informs me if any option is unlikely to cover by insurance and check it for me before proceed.
2. I had scheduled my daughter filling but was informed one week later that I had to reschedule in early morning slot. Due to congestion morning traffic, I was late for 20 mins. The admin asked me to reschedule my appointment to other day. I drove more than hours just to bring my daughter to visit her office and she could not help to my daughter filling. I was totally frustrated and disappointed by this kind of customer service.

Excellent!!! My daughter has not been afraid to go to the dentist because Dr. Vanderkam is so gentle and efficient. The hygienists who clean the kids teeth are excellent, too. There are two TV’s playing childrens movies to keep them preoccupied. We love it here!

I started taking my daughter to see Dr. Natalie when my daughter was six months, she is now 5. My daughter has no fear of the dentist and values and understands how dental care is part of our health. She loves having her teeth cleaned and examined and has yet to have a cavity. My son is 3 and enjoys his time in the dental chair too. He is a bit squirmy, however Dr. Natalie and her friendly staff are well equipped to handle his temperament. They understand the importance of making my son’s visit as pleasant as possible.
As a mother, and a professional whom works with children, I appreciate the techniques and friendliness of Dr. Natalie and staff!

My husband and I just took our 3 year old daughter to Dr. Natalie Vanderkam and we had a wonderful experience. My daughter normally does not do well in doctor offices but because Dr. Natalie’s office is so well organized, they sent my daughter a fun dentist book to prepare her for her visit. The book was instrumental in prepping my daughter and from the moment we stepped into the office, my daughter had fun! The office is clean and has toys PLUS a big aquarium! Dr. Natalie was super sweet and very gentle with my daughter and explained everything just like the book did. Needless to say, my daughter did better than we thought and even got half of her teeth cleaned (she got fussy on the 2^nd half because she did not like the toothpaste). AMAZING dentist, I highly recommend Dr. Natalie to anyone looking for a pediatric dentist!