2145 Indian River Blvd, Ste B. Vero Beach, FL 32960 (772) 494-6010
2145 Indian River Blvd, Ste B. Vero Beach, FL 32960 (772) 494-6010
Sebastian doesn’t have a board-certified pediatric dentist of its own. For families who want their child seen by an ABPD Diplomate-credentialed pediatric specialist, Nickel Pediatric Dentistry is the closest practice - about 20 minutes south on US-1 from central Sebastian. Dr. Andrew Nickel sees children from Sebastian, Roseland, Wabasso, and surrounding northern Indian River County communities for the full range of pediatric dental care: routine cleanings, cavity treatment, sealants, sedation when needed, and dental emergencies.
There are pediatric dental options in Sebastian - including general dentists who treat children and one pediatric-only practice without ABPD board certification. The reason families make the short drive south is the credential gap.
A board-certified pediatric dentist (ABPD Diplomate) has completed a multi-day examination process beyond residency, plus ongoing continuing education to maintain the credential. According to the ABPD’s published figures, nearly 80% of pediatric dentists pursue board certification today - but the credential remains a voluntary distinction. For Sebastian, the closest ABPD-certified pediatric specialist is Dr. Nickel in Vero Beach.
That credential matters most when:
Read more about board certification and what it means for your child’s care.
We’re at 2145 Indian River Blvd, Suite B, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
From Sebastian:
Parking is directly in front of the office. Street-level entrance, accessible.
Sebastian River High School, Sebastian Elementary, Sebastian River Middle, Pelican Island Elementary, St. Sebastian Catholic School, and Sebastian Charter Junior High - we see children from all of them. If your child’s school isn’t listed, we still very much want to meet them. We also see Indian River County and St. Lucie County families from a range of homeschool, charter, and private school backgrounds.
Everything pediatric - for infants through adolescents:
A 20-minute drive once or twice a year is a reasonable trade for the care you want. We work to make it worthwhile:
We accept most major PPO dental insurance plans and verify your specific benefits before any appointment. For families in Sebastian considering Medicaid or Florida Healthy Kids, please call our office to ask about our current participation status - coverage policies change, and we’d rather give you a current answer over the phone than promise something on a webpage that may have shifted. For more, see our financial information page.
Dr. Andrew Nickel, DDS, is a board-certified pediatric dentist and Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, where he received the Charles Sweet Pediatric Dentistry Award and was inducted into the Tau Kappa Omega Honor Society.
Dr. Nickel completed his pediatric dentistry residency at the University of Southern California, including clinical rotations at Miller Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and Children’s Hospital of Orange County. His advanced training included caring for children with special healthcare needs, complex medical conditions, dental anxiety, and cases requiring sedation. He is also a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the Florida Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Read more on the doctor bio page or about board certification.
At Nickel Pediatric Dentistry, we work with families to make pediatric dental care simple and accessible. Our team helps review insurance benefits, provide clear cost estimates, and discuss payment options so parents can plan treatment with confidence.
Financial and insurance options include:
If you have questions about your insurance coverage, CareCredit financing, or expected treatment costs, our team is always happy to assist before your child’s appointment.
Nickel Pediatric Dentistry provides comprehensive dental care designed to protect developing teeth, prevent cavities, and support healthy smiles.
Routine exams, cleanings, fluoride treatments, and sealants help protect children’s teeth and prevent cavities as their smiles grow.
Safe sedation options help children relax during treatment and allow dentists to complete necessary procedures comfortably and efficiently.
Tooth-colored fillings and pediatric crowns restore damaged teeth, protect their structure, and help maintain healthy function for growing smiles.
Airway-focused pediatric dentistry helps identify breathing-related concerns, supporting healthy sleep, growth, development, and overall wellness.
Gentle tooth extractions remove severely damaged or infected teeth while protecting surrounding tissues and supporting proper development.
Custom mouthguards help protect children’s teeth during sports activities and reduce the risk of dental injuries from impacts.
Parents often have questions when choosing a pediatric dentist for their child. Here are answers to some common questions families ask.
Currently, no. The closest ABPD-certified pediatric specialist serving Sebastian families is Dr. Andrew Nickel at Nickel Pediatric Dentistry in Vero Beach - about 20 minutes south on US-1.
Approximately 20-25 minutes via US-1 South from central Sebastian, with no highway interchange. Northern Sebastian and Roseland are slightly longer; southern Sebastian is closer.
Yes - we regularly see families from Sebastian’s schools, Sebastian Charter, St. Sebastian Catholic, and a range of school students.
Yes - we accept new patients of all ages from across Indian River County and the Treasure Coast.
That’s a reasonable question. The honest answer: for routine dental care that wouldn’t benefit from specialty training, a closer general dentist may be fine. For families who specifically want board-certified pediatric care for their child’s long-term dental home - including hospital-level sedation training and pediatric specialty depth - most decide the 20-minute drive is worth it. Come see us once and decide for yourself.