Pediatric Dentist in Lomita, CA
At Hula Grins, we offer pediatric dentistry in Lomita, CA using gentle, child-friendly techniques to care for growing smiles, restore function, and keep your child’s teeth healthy and strong.
Children do not experience dental care the way adults do. A sound that seems routine to a parent can feel overwhelming to a four-year-old. A texture that barely registers for an adult can trigger a gag reflex in a toddler. The difference between a child who grows up comfortable with dental visits and one who avoids the dentist for decades often comes down to whether their earliest experiences were handled by someone who understands how children process the world around them.
Hula Grins Pediatric Dentistry is located in Torrance, just a five-minute drive from Lomita on Hawthorne Boulevard. We provide dental care exclusively for infants, children, and adolescents. Dr. Sena Hiradate and Dr. Sonya Lin are both board-certified pediatric dentists with over 15 years of combined experience, and our practice goes beyond cleanings and cavity treatment to offer services that most dental offices in the Lomita area cannot, including tongue-tie and lip-tie release, airway evaluation, sedation dentistry, and sensory-friendly care for children with special healthcare needs.
Five Minutes Away, With Services You Will Not Find Closer
Lomita families have a few dental options nearby, but the range of specialized pediatric services available locally is limited. Our office is one of the closest pediatric dental practices to Lomita, and the scope of what we offer means fewer referrals and less time spent coordinating between multiple providers.
Preventive dentistry makes up the majority of what we do. Comprehensive dental exams, professional cleanings, fluoride treatments, and dental sealants protect your child’s teeth before problems start. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that every child establish a dental home by their first birthday, and our practice is designed to be that home through adolescence. When treatment is needed, we offer dental fillings, pediatric crowns, pulp therapy, and same-day emergency dental care for knocked-out teeth, fractures, toothaches, and dental infections.
Where We Go Further
The services that most often bring Lomita families to Hula Grins for the first time are the ones they could not find closer to home:
- Tongue-tie and lip-tie release: Dr. Sena performs laser frenectomy for infants with breastfeeding difficulties and older children with speech, breathing, or orthodontic concerns related to restricted oral tissue
- Airway evaluation and treatment: assessment for mouth breathing, snoring, and sleep-disordered breathing, with referrals to and collaboration with myofunctional therapists in the South Bay
- Special needs dentistry: sensory-friendly care, happy visits for gradual desensitization, and individualized accommodations for children with autism, developmental differences, and complex medical needs
- Sedation options: nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and general anesthesia coordination for children who need additional support to receive care comfortably
Board-Certified Care Right Next Door
Our dentists hold Diplomate status from the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, a voluntary credential that requires passing comprehensive examinations well beyond standard licensing. Pediatric dentists complete two to three additional years of residency training after dental school, entirely focused on children’s oral health, growth and development, behavioral management, and the treatment of patients with complex medical needs. Dr. Sena also carries a Pediatric Minimal Sedation Permit and has advanced training in laser frenectomy and pediatric airway evaluation.
Our Office and What to Expect
Our office was designed to feel like a place children actually want to visit, with a Hawaiian theme and an ohana philosophy that means your family is treated like ours. Dr. Sena speaks Japanese, and our team communicates clearly with families from all walks of life. We accept Delta Dental PPO, MetLife, Guardian, and Careington network plans, along with CareCredit financing.
Schedule Your Child’s Visit at Hula Grins Pediatric Dentistry
Whether your child needs their first dental exam, ongoing preventive care, or evaluation for a specific concern like a tongue restriction or breathing issue, our team is here to help.
Contact Hula Grins Pediatric Dentistry to schedule an appointment. We are just down the road and ready to welcome your family.
Open Door Policy
Our office has an open door policy, which means that you are welcome to be with your child in the operatory, with the exception of general anesthesia appointments.