Board Certified Pediatric Dentist in Vero Beach, FL
When you’re choosing a dentist for your child, credentials matter - but it can be hard to know which ones actually mean something. At Nickel Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Andrew Nickel, DDS, is a board-certified pediatric dentist serving families across Vero Beach, Indian River County, and the Treasure Coast. That distinction - Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, or ABPD - represents a voluntary commitment to ongoing testing, peer review, and continuing education that goes beyond standard licensing. This page explains what board certification means, how a pediatric dentist earns it, and why it can give parents real peace of mind when choosing care for their children.
What Is a Pediatric Dentist?
A pediatric dentist is a specialist who has completed at least two additional years of advanced residency training after dental school, focused entirely on the oral health of children - from infants through adolescence, including children with special healthcare needs. Pediatric dentists are trained not just in clinical care, but in child development, behavior management, sedation safety, and how growing teeth and jaws interact with overall health. It’s the dental equivalent of a pediatrician: a specialist whose entire practice is built around treating children well.
Dr. Nickel completed his pediatric residency at the University of Southern California, working alongside three major children’s hospitals - Long Beach Miller Children’s, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, and Children’s Hospital of Orange County - where he gained experience treating children with medically complex conditions, special needs, and the sedation cases that require hospital-level training.
What Does “Board Certified” Mean for a Pediatric Dentist?
Pediatric dentists are licensed to practice as soon as they complete their residency. Board certification is something extra - and entirely optional. According to the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry’s own published figures, nearly 80% of pediatric dentists today pursue board certification, but it remains a voluntary distinction earned only after passing a rigorous, multi-day examination process and committing to ongoing renewal.
The American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD) is the only certifying board for pediatric dentistry recognized by the American Dental Association. Its purpose is to elevate the standard of dental care for children by promoting excellence through certification, continuing education, and professional collaboration. Pediatric dentists who complete the process and maintain it are called Diplomates of the ABPD - that is the credential Dr. Nickel holds.
How a Pediatric Dentist Becomes Board Certified
Board certification through ABPD is a multi-step process that takes place after a pediatric dentist has already completed dental school and a 2-3 year pediatric residency:
- Qualifying examination. A comprehensive written exam covering the full scope of pediatric dentistry - clinical, behavioral, developmental, and medical considerations.
- Oral clinical examination. A two-day series of in-person sessions where candidates discuss real cases with a panel of experienced ABPD examiners. Each session is evaluated independently.
- Ongoing renewal. Board certification is not a one-time achievement. Diplomates must complete continuing education each year and renew their certification regularly to remain in good standing.
The process is structured to evaluate not just what a dentist knows on test day, but whether they can apply that knowledge under examiner scrutiny - and whether they are committed to keeping their training current as pediatric dentistry evolves.
Why Board Certification Matters for Your Child
For parents, the practical question is: does board certification change the care your child receives? Three things meaningfully shift when a pediatric dentist is ABPD-certified:
- Specialized expertise across the full pediatric scope. Diplomates have been peer-reviewed on the complete range of pediatric care - including behavior management for anxious children, sedation safety, and treatment for children with special healthcare needs. That breadth matters when a child’s case isn’t routine.
- A formal commitment to keeping current. Pediatric dentistry has changed substantially in the last decade - from minimally invasive cavity treatments like silver diamine fluoride and Curodont, to evolving sedation guidelines, to airway-focused early intervention. Board certification’s continuing-education requirement means a Diplomate’s training stays connected to those advances.
- Verifiable, peer-reviewed credentials. ABPD certification is publicly verifiable. Any parent can confirm Dr. Nickel’s status through the ABPD’s official Diplomate roster at abpd.org.
Dr. Andrew Nickel’s Pediatric Credentials
Dr. Nickel earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) at the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco, where he received the Charles Sweet Pediatric Dentistry Award and was inducted into the Tau Kappa Omega Honor Society. He completed his pediatric residency at the University of Southern California, with rotations across Long Beach Miller Children’s, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, and Children’s Hospital of Orange County. After residency, he served the Medicaid pediatric population in Los Angeles before relocating to Vero Beach to open Nickel Pediatric Dentistry. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD).
You can read more about Dr. Nickel’s training and approach on his doctor profile page, or verify his ABPD certification directly at abpd.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all pediatric dentists board certified?
No. While pediatric dentists are required to be licensed and to complete a 2-3 year pediatric residency, ABPD board certification is a separate, voluntary process. Per the ABPD, nearly 80% of pediatric dentists now pursue this distinction, but it remains an additional credential beyond what’s required to practice.
How can I verify a pediatric dentist is board certified?
The American Board of Pediatric Dentistry maintains a public Diplomate roster at abpd.org. You can search by name, location, or both to confirm a dentist’s current certification status.
Is board certification different from being a member of the AAPD?
Yes. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) is a professional membership organization. The American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD) is the certifying body that confers the Diplomate credential through examination. A dentist may be a member of AAPD without being board certified by ABPD.
How long does board certification last?
Diplomates must complete continuing education and renew their certification on the ABPD’s published schedule. Maintaining the credential requires ongoing professional development - it is not a one-time test. ## Schedule a Visit With a Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist in Vero Beach If you’re looking for a board-certified pediatric dentist for your child in Vero Beach or anywhere across Indian River County and the Treasure Coast, we’d love to meet your family. Call (772) 494-6010 to schedule a first visit, or request an appointment online. Our office is located at 2145 Indian River Blvd, Suite B, Vero Beach, FL 32960, conveniently accessible from US-1, SR-60, and I-95. —
