Meet Dr. Andrew Nickel, DDS
Dr. Andrew Nickel, DDS, is a board-certified pediatric dentist - and a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD) - serving children and families across Vero Beach, Indian River County, and the Treasure Coast. What brought him to pediatric dentistry, and eventually to Vero Beach, is a story worth knowing.
Where Dr. Nickel Trained
Dr. Nickel earned his Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2013, where he also studied abroad in Buenos Aires. He completed his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) at the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco in 2017 - one of the most respected dental programs on the West Coast.
At Dugoni, Dr. Nickel received the Charles Sweet Pediatric Dentistry Award and was inducted into the Tau Kappa Omega Honor Society, the dental equivalent of an academic honors society. Faculty encouragement and his natural connection with young patients led him to pursue specialized training in pediatric dentistry.
He completed his pediatric residency at the University of Southern California (USC), with clinical rotations across three major children’s hospitals:
- Long Beach Miller Children’s Hospital
- Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles (CHLA)
- Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC)
These are some of the highest-volume pediatric care centers in the country. That training - working with children who had medically complex conditions, special healthcare needs, and cases requiring hospital-level sedation - shaped an unusually deep clinical foundation for a pediatric specialist in private practice.
After completing his residency, Dr. Nickel spent time serving the Medicaid pediatric population in Los Angeles, providing specialty dental care to underserved children while Dr. Zoey finished her orthodontic residency at USC.
Board Certification & Credentials
Dr. Nickel is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD) - the only certifying board for pediatric dentistry recognized by the American Dental Association. Board certification is voluntary, requiring a rigorous multi-day examination process followed by ongoing continuing education and periodic renewal. You can verify Dr. Nickel’s current ABPD Diplomate status at abpd.org.
Professional memberships:
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD)
- Florida Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (FAPD)
Learn more about what board certification means for your child’s care on our board certification page.
Dr. Nickel’s Approach to Pediatric Care
Dr. Nickel’s path to dentistry began on the water. He worked as a Newport Beach Ocean Lifeguard and Junior Lifeguard Instructor - a role built on staying calm under pressure, reading a situation quickly, and helping people in moments of stress. Those instincts translate directly to pediatric dentistry, where a child’s comfort depends as much on the clinician’s energy as on the procedure itself.
At Nickel Pediatric Dentistry, the goal is always a positive experience - for your child and for you as a parent. That means moving at your child’s pace, using parent-friendly language instead of clinical jargon, and treating every visit as an opportunity to build trust with the dental chair rather than fear of it. Dr. Nickel’s training across three children’s hospitals means he’s seen the full spectrum of pediatric cases - from anxious toddlers at their first exam to children with complex medical needs who require hospital-based sedation. Whatever your child needs, the approach is the same: calm, patient, and thorough.
Dr. Nickel at Home in Vero Beach
Dr. Nickel’s wife, Dr. Zoey Gutierrez-Nickel, is a Vero Beach native. When she finished her orthodontic residency, coming home to the Treasure Coast was never really a question. The couple now lives and works in the community - Dr. Nickel running Nickel Pediatric Dentistry, and Dr. Zoey running her own orthodontic practice nearby. When a patient of Dr. Nickel’s is ready for braces or aligners, there’s a trusted referral right next door.
Outside the office, Dr. Nickel is still most at home near the water - surfing, fishing, and now sharing those pursuits with the families he treats.
Schedule a Visit with Dr. Nickel
If you’re looking for a board-certified pediatric dentist for your child in Vero Beach or across Indian River County, we’d love to meet your family. Call (772) 494-6010 or request an appointment online. Our office is located at 2145 Indian River Blvd, Suite B, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
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