Dr. Nikki Shafiei, Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Nikki Shafiei is a board-certified pediatric dentist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, the field’s highest credential. She has about a decade of specialized experience, completed a two-year hospital-based pediatric residency, and holds staff privileges at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego. She leads the team at San Marcos Kids Dentistry. Call (760) 744-8600.
Families across San Marcos trust Dr. Nikki Shafiei to care for their children with skill, warmth, and patience. As a board-certified pediatric dentist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Nikki has earned the highest credential in her specialty, and she pairs that expertise with a genuine love for helping kids feel safe at the dentist. From a child’s very first visit through every checkup and treatment that follows, her goal is the same: build trust, protect healthy smiles, and make dental care a positive part of growing up.
Education and Specialty Training
Dr. Nikki earned her undergraduate degree in Nutritional Sciences before completing her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) in 2011. She then pursued a comprehensive two-year, hospital-based residency in pediatric dentistry, where she managed a high volume of dental emergencies and traumas and sharpened her skills in urgent and complex care for children. That hospital-based foundation is part of what allows her to care confidently for very young children, kids with special health care needs, and children facing more involved dental challenges.
Board Certification and Hospital Privileges
Dr. Nikki holds the title of Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, a distinction that reflects rigorous examination and a demonstrated commitment to the highest standards of pediatric dental care. She is also a respected staff member with privileges in the Department of Surgery, Division of Dentistry, at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego. Those privileges mean she is able to provide care for children in a hospital setting when that is the safest, most appropriate choice for a child’s needs.
A Decade of Pediatric Experience
With about ten years of specialized experience focused entirely on children, Dr. Nikki has cared for patients of every age and temperament, from anxious toddlers to kids with complex medical histories. She stays current with the newest developments and methods in pediatric dentistry through ongoing continuing education and seminars, so the care your child receives reflects today’s best practices, not yesterday’s.
Care Philosophy
What Dr. Nikki cherishes most is watching a child’s confidence grow as they learn to navigate and overcome a dental visit. She is passionate about guiding families toward healthy habits early, and she believes a positive, welcoming approach is the best foundation for a lifetime of good oral health. She is also deeply committed to community service, dedicating time to provide dental care for children in need.
Outside the Office
As a parent herself, Dr. Nikki understands what families are looking for: a dentist who is patient, gentle, and genuinely invested in their child’s well-being. She is eager to welcome your family and to be part of your children’s growth in dental health and overall confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does “board-certified pediatric dentist” mean?
A: It means Dr. Nikki completed specialty training after dental school and passed the rigorous examination of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry to become a Diplomate. Board certification reflects an advanced, demonstrated standard of knowledge and care in treating children.
Q: Does Dr. Nikki see very young children?
A: Yes. Dr. Nikki and the team welcome infants, toddlers, and older children. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a first dental visit by a child’s first birthday, and our office is built for these early visits.
Q: Can Dr. Nikki treat children with special needs or complex medical histories?
A: Often, yes. Her hospital-based training and Rady Children’s privileges give her real experience caring for children with special health care needs and more complex situations. Share the details with us and we will tell you how we can help.
Schedule a Visit in San Marcos
Ready to meet Dr. Nikki and the team? Call San Marcos Kids Dentistry at (760) 744-8600 or request an appointment online. Find our hours and directions on our San Marcos office page.
